Coaching Philosophy
Goaltending has not only been my livelihood, it’s been a life-long passion. My passion continues to grow through coaching and the sharing of my experiences and expertise. This experience began as a youth in Canada and continued with; 4 years of D1 college hockey; 15 years as a pro that include winning the Stanley Cup and playing with the St. Louis Blues, to coaching at the NCAA D1 level and now today as a full-time, independent goalie coach with Racine Goalie Academy.
I am committed to offering the best product possible for each goalie. My hope has always been to elevate the goalie standards in St. Louis and surrounding areas by providing personal growth and year-round training so that each goalie can reach their highest potential. Here are some thoughts I have on how to do just that:
Each goalie is unique. My drills are designed to help develop the individual goalies’ natural ability and offer them tools to go beyond that. I believe it’s important to work with a goalie’s personal strengths and style. My goal is not to create clones, but make you the best of what it is you as an individual bring to the table. This includes not only continuing to work on skills that are already mastered, keeping them sharp but it also means recognizing and working on one’s weaknesses. I believe attacking weak areas in one’s game is an opportunity for improvement. I believe goalies should view it the same way. Finding and working on the areas that need improvement is a key element to developing as a goalie physically and mentally. One way I accomplish this is through the use of both standard proven methods as well as modern approaches for training enhancement.
It’s important that goalies chart their and Goals Against and Progress. This allows for a clear mental picture to be created on which to work from. Being able to find breakdowns in the game is a wonderful tool that can be used in practice in order to lessen the chances for the same scenario to end in a goal against.
The position continues to evolve as the game and equipment changes and develops. Keeping abreast of the game of today is crucial to great instruction. I am continually studying modern techniques and styles.
Building Confidence is a major part of goaltending. If you want to stand in the crease, you have to believe in yourself and your abilities. The best goalies to ever play the game let a few by and lose a few games, but it is their determination, tenacity, dedication, mental toughness and Confidence that allow them to fight back, shot after shot, game after game.
I also believe it’s important to Keep it Fun! For me, as a kid, that meant pretending to be Ken Dryden making the big flashy glove save. Whatever it means to you, enjoy the position, have fun with it. In the midst of working hard I believe that there is room in your training for pretending to be Carey Price or Jordan Binnington making that flashy glove save!
Bruce Racine