The Present-Moment: Achieving a Completely Blank Mind
The Present-Moment: Achieving a Completely Blank Mind January 25, 2026 My own journey as a Division I goalie and coach...
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It’s January. We are officially in the “dark months” of the off-season. While most players are hibernating, this is where the starters for the 2026 season are actually made.
As a goalie, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by the noise. Every coach has a different take on the position, but the most successful goalies in the world, from DI veterans to National Team starters, all adhere to a set of Non-Negotiables. These aren’t suggestions; they are the bedrock of high performance.
If you want to maximize your potential, you must ground your game in these three core principles before you worry about anything else.
1. Physical Balance: The “Barstool” Stance
You can have the fastest hands in the country, but if your weight is shifted poorly, you’re a statue. Great goaltending starts with a neutral spine and hips pushed back This can be described as sitting on a “barstool”: it coils your body like a spring, ready to explode.
- The Pro Test: Can you hold your stance for 5 minutes without shaking or readjusting?
- The Standard: Comfort in your stance means you’ve achieved your optimal positioning and can respond to reality rather than overthinking your feet.
2. Mechanical Efficiency: Straight Lines vs. “The Virus”
In this game, a single millisecond is the difference between a save and a goal. Efficiency means moving from Point A to Point B in the most direct way possible.
- The Virus: Many goalies suffer from “The Recoil” – dropping their hands before driving them up to the ball. This creates a false perception of speed but is actually just tension.
- The Fix: Keep your hands relaxed and punch in a straight line. This is the shortest distance between your stick and the ball.
3. Mental Resilience: The “Goldfish” Reset
The ultimate form of mental mastery is achieving a completely blank mind. You will get scored on; the question is, can you reset your mind quickly?.
- Accept the Chaos: You are praised for performance in a fundamentally broken system. Accept that getting scored on is an inevitable part of the game.
The Reset Tool: Don’t just “try to be calm.” Use a physical trigger. Whether it’s tapping a spot on your glove or ritualistically throwing the ball up, you need a hard, physical reset to turn off the emotional brain and focus on the next shot.
Have Any Questions ?
We know every goalie’s journey is different. If you have questions about training, packages, or what’s best for your game, we’d love to help.