Short Answer
VERY IMPORTANT, BECAUSE VIDEO CAN SHOW A GOALIE WHAT MEMORY OF THE GAME OFTEN CANNOT.
Goalie Video Review – A goalie may leave the rink believing a goal came from one problem.
However, video may reveal something completely different.
For example, the goalie may think the shot was simply too good. Instead, replay could show that depth was too aggressive, tracking was lost, or the player arrived late.
Therefore, Goalie Video Review can become a powerful development tool at U15–U18.
Most importantly, the purpose is not to replay every goal against until the goalie feels miserable.
THE PURPOSE IS TO FIND PATTERNS THAT CAN ACTUALLY BE DEVELOPED.
Why Goalie Video Review Matters More at U15–U18
At younger ages, development should remain heavily focused on fundamentals.
However, by U15–U18, technical habits have become more established.
In addition, the game itself becomes faster and more complex. Consequently, small weaknesses may begin producing larger consequences.
For example, one poor depth decision may be exposed by a skilled shooter. Likewise, a late recovery can become a goal before the goalie has time to compensate athletically.
Therefore, video allows the player and goalie coach to slow the game down and examine what actually happened.
What Can Video Reveal?
A game happens quickly.
Meanwhile, memory is imperfect.
For that reason, a goalie may remember the result without accurately remembering the sequence that created it.
Video can help examine:
positioning
depth
puck tracking
movement efficiency
rebound control
post integration
save selection
recovery
puck handling
body language
decision-making
communication
As a result, development becomes more specific.
Instead of:
YOU NEED TO PLAY BETTER.
the goalie may hear:
YOUR DEPTH IS TOO AGGRESSIVE WHEN THE PUCK MOVES BELOW THE HASH MARKS.
That is something the player can actually work on.
Should You Review Every Goal Against?
NO.
Goals naturally attract attention.
However, reviewing only goals against can create a distorted picture.
For example, the goalie may make the correct read and still be beaten by an excellent shot.
Meanwhile, another play may result in a save even though the goalie made several poor technical decisions.
Therefore, video should include successful sequences too.
Study:
good saves
poor saves
goals against
controlled rebounds
bad rebounds
successful reads
late reads
efficient movement
unnecessary scrambling
Consequently, the goalie learns what should be repeated as well as what should change.
Why Can a Save Still Be a Bad Sequence?
BECAUSE THE RESULT DOES NOT ALWAYS TELL YOU WHETHER THE PROCESS WAS GOOD.
A goalie might make a spectacular desperation save.
However, video may show that the desperation was created by poor positioning two seconds earlier.
For example, the player may have overcommitted toward the puck carrier. As a result, an athletic recovery became necessary after the pass.
Therefore:
A SAVE CAN STILL CONTAIN A DEVELOPMENT PROBLEM.
Conversely, a goal against can sometimes contain several good decisions before an exceptional finish.
That distinction matters.
How Should Goalies Review Goals Against?
Start with the play before the shot.
For example, ask what information was available as the attack developed.
Next, examine the goalie’s movement.
Then, evaluate positioning at the moment of release.
Afterward, consider whether tracking continued through the save attempt.
Ask:
Was the initial read correct?
Did movement match the read?
Was the goalie set?
Did depth fit the situation?
Was visual attachment maintained?
Could the rebound have been controlled?
Was recovery available?
Therefore, the analysis becomes a sequence rather than simply:
THAT PUCK SHOULD NOT HAVE GONE IN.
Who Should Review the Video?
IDEALLY, THE GOALIE AND A QUALIFIED GOALIE COACH.
A parent can certainly watch the game.
However, technical interpretation is another matter.
For example, what appears to be slow reaction time might actually be a tracking problem. Alternatively, what looks like poor positioning may have resulted from an earlier skating error.
Therefore, qualified interpretation matters.
In addition, the goalie should gradually learn to recognize patterns independently.
THE LONG-TERM GOAL IS NOT TO CREATE A PLAYER WHO NEEDS SOMEONE ELSE TO EXPLAIN EVERY SAVE.
It is to create a goalie who increasingly understands their own game.
Should Parents Conduct the Video Session?
GENERALLY, NO.
Parents already have enough roles.
Driver.
Equipment transporter.
Schedule manager.
Hotel-booking department.
Financial institution.
Adding full-time video analyst is probably unnecessary.
Instead, let the goalie coach handle detailed technical analysis where possible.
Meanwhile, parents can support the process by helping the player access useful game footage.
Therefore:
PARENTS CAN PROVIDE THE VIDEO.
QUALIFIED COACHES SHOULD PROVIDE MOST OF THE TECHNICAL INTERPRETATION.
How Much Video Is Enough?
YOU DO NOT NEED TO ANALYZE EVERY SECOND OF EVERY GAME.
More video does not automatically mean more development.
Instead, identify useful sequences.
For example, one session might focus specifically on rebound control. Another time, the coach may examine post play or depth.
Therefore, targeted review is usually more useful than watching an entire game while commenting on every movement.
ONE CLEAR DEVELOPMENT THEME CAN BE MORE USEFUL THAN TWENTY RANDOM CORRECTIONS.
Should Video Be Used Immediately After the Game?
NOT ALWAYS.
Emotion can still be high immediately after a difficult performance.
Therefore, waiting can sometimes improve the quality of the review.
For example, a tough goal against may feel much less personal the following day. In addition, the goalie can approach the footage as information rather than punishment.
Consequently, timing matters.
Video should create learning.
It should not become:
LET’S WATCH EVERYTHING YOU DID WRONG TONIGHT.
Can Video Help With the Mental Side?
YES.
Memory can exaggerate mistakes.
For example, a goalie may believe one bad goal ruined the entire game.
However, video could show 25 strong decisions surrounding that mistake.
As a result, the player gains a more accurate understanding of performance.
Likewise, footage may reveal that a supposed confidence problem is actually a repeatable technical issue.
Therefore, video can sometimes reduce emotional guesswork.
Can Video Help Identify Patterns Over Several Games?
THIS MAY BE ITS BIGGEST VALUE.
One game can be misleading.
However, the same problem appearing repeatedly becomes meaningful.
For example:
similar high-glove goals
repeated rebounds into the slot
early RVH use
late recovery after lateral plays
difficulty tracking through traffic
poor puck-handling decisions
consistent depth problems
Therefore, reviewing multiple games can reveal patterns that are difficult to notice in real time.
ONE MISTAKE MAY BE RANDOM.
A REPEATED MISTAKE MAY BE A DEVELOPMENT PRIORITY.
Should Video Influence Practice?
ABSOLUTELY.
Video becomes far more useful when it changes training.
For example, suppose several games reveal weak rebound direction.
Therefore, the goalie coach can build the next sessions around rebound control.
Later, additional footage can determine whether the problem is improving.
As a result, the cycle becomes:
GAME → VIDEO → PRACTICE → GAME
That is a much stronger development system than simply repeating drills without knowing whether they solve actual game problems.
Does Video Matter for AAA Goalies?
YES.
AAA hockey exposes the goalie to faster and more deceptive players.
Consequently, video can help identify whether technical habits hold up under higher speed.
For example, positioning may appear excellent in controlled practice but deteriorate during quick lateral attacks.
Therefore, game footage helps connect practice performance to real competition.
Does Video Matter for AA Goalies?
YES AS WELL.
The level does not remove the developmental value.
For example, an AA starter may have considerably more game footage available than a AAA backup.
In addition, frequent starts can provide a larger sample for identifying patterns.
Therefore, quality video analysis can strengthen development regardless of the letters printed on the jersey.
Can Video Help a AAA Backup?
PARTICULARLY.
A backup may have limited starts.
Therefore, each game can provide important development information.
For example, reviewing those starts carefully may help the goalie maximize what is learned from limited competitive opportunities.
Meanwhile, practice footage can also be useful when available.
Consequently, video can help make fewer game opportunities more productive.
Does Video Matter to Junior Prospects?
YES.
A serious Junior prospect should increasingly understand the strengths and weaknesses of their own game.
For example, video may help identify what faster shooters are beginning to expose.
In addition, outside evaluators may eventually request footage.
Therefore, becoming comfortable reviewing and understanding game video can help the goalie both developmentally and during higher-level evaluation.
Should Families Make Highlight Videos?
THAT IS A DIFFERENT PURPOSE.
Development video and recruiting video are not the same thing.
For example, a highlight reel shows successful moments.
However, development review needs the opposite freedom.
It should examine:
mistakes
average plays
good sequences
poor decisions
recovery
habits
Therefore, do not confuse marketing footage with development footage.
ONE SELLS THE PLAYER.
THE OTHER IMPROVES THE PLAYER.
What Should the Goalie Coach Look For?
A useful review should have a purpose.
For example, examine:
whether the goalie arrives set
how depth changes
where rebounds travel
whether tracking survives traffic
how post play is selected
what happens after mistakes
whether movement remains efficient late in games
how decisions change under pressure
Then choose priorities.
Therefore, the goalie should leave the session knowing exactly what to work on next.
What Should Parents Avoid?
DO NOT TURN THE FAMILY ROOM INTO A POSTGAME VIDEO TRIBUNAL.
A goalie already knows when the puck went in.
However, repeatedly replaying mistakes without qualified analysis can create frustration rather than development.
Instead, use video deliberately.
For example, send useful footage to the goalie coach and let the player participate in the review process.
Therefore:
VIDEO SHOULD CREATE CLARITY, NOT ANOTHER SOURCE OF PRESSURE.
Goalie Video Review: Our Hockey Answer
VIDEO SHOULD BECOME PART OF SERIOUS U15–U18 GOALIE DEVELOPMENT.
However, the objective is not to analyze everything.
Instead, use Goalie Video Review to identify:
patterns
technical habits
good decisions
poor decisions
development priorities
progress over time
areas practice needs to address
Therefore, the best video review should eventually answer three questions:
WHAT HAPPENED?
WHY DID IT HAPPEN?
WHAT SHOULD WE WORK ON NEXT?
That is where video becomes development rather than entertainment.
We Report What the Research Finds
Goalie development rarely comes from one tool.
However, video can provide objective information that memory and game statistics cannot.
For example, repeated sequences can reveal positioning, tracking and recovery patterns. In addition, comparing games over time can help determine whether training is transferring into competition.
Therefore, Search the Hockey Answer™ considers targeted video review especially useful for older competitive goalies.
Most importantly, footage should lead to specific development priorities rather than endless criticism.
Search Other Hockey Answers
USE GOALIES AS YOUR SEARCH TERM:
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Do Junior Scouts Evaluate a Goalie?
Are Positioning and Depth at U16–U18?
Is Puck Tracking at U16–U18?
Is Rebound Control at U16–U18?
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