Getting Into And Out Of The RVH | Ice Hockey Goalies

Getting into and out of the RVH does not feel great to most ice hockey goalies. You have probably experienced one of these sensations on the ice when attempting to use it:
Tough to get into and out of the right position
Feeling like your knee or ankle is going to explode
Being helplessly slow trying to bump out off the post for a recovery to your skates or a butterfly save
We go over some of the on-ice goaltending techniques that can help and then hit the Goalie Training Lab to go over 3 essential off-ice exercises that will help.
Here’s where you get the FREE program that gives you a 2-5” wider butterfly flare in 14 days or less - bit.ly/butterflyYT-D OR if you crave a deeper splits, then I have a FREE program for that too - bit.ly/splits9
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• Getting Into And Out O...
#RVH #howtoRVH #goalietraining
☝️ TWEET THIS VIDEO: [ ctt.ac/3M5mb ]

[@cghall74]

As an older goalie learning RVH for the first time, it is the pressure on hip and knee that is the hardest part. For me tucking the pad inside the post is much easier, and I am willing to give up a bit of the push off the post to make it more comfortable.

[@goalietraining]

Totally agree - it is MUCH less torque on the hip and knee - I think that is a good decision. I also find it easer to get into that spot - vs trying to get my toe bridge on the post. Thanks for sharing your experiences Chris!

[@BobboByrnes]

This is fascinating. I love how the sport and the position evolves. I had to hang up the skates after 40 years of playing - I was a mostly standup goalie and my left knee was shot from kick saves hitting me in the kneecap with the old equipment. If I tried to do RVH now, I don't know if I could get back on my feet. What I wasn't prepared for was my own reaction to the RVH as a fan of hockey and goaltending. I hate seeing it. It actually makes me mad and that's clearly a me issue that I haven't quite figured out yet. AND how much I celebrate when a player like McDavid banks one in off a goalie's melon while they're in RVH. I can't wait to see how this evolves into something new.

[@goalietraining]

It is such an odd tool - that has some specific uses, but like you said, the skaters are so good at figuring out ways to exploit its misuse or improper use. I agree though... your knees would NOT like it one little bit. It is so fun to see how the position continues to evolve.

[@goldenbuddha7778]

Awesome video as always, thanks so much 🙏. I will try these all tonight at training 😁

[@goalietraining]

You are welcome - happy to help!

[@toddashton9696]

Excellent video Maria

[@goalietraining]

Thanks Todd - glad you liked it.

[@hockeygmc99]

Great video thanks for the help!

[@goalietraining]

You are most welcome!

[@srStinnky]

how tall are the people in this awesome team? I don't know if it's the yoga and all the external rotation or what but I've never felt all this awkwardness goalies talk about the RVH. My main issue is some times get the skate right to to the post...repetition is key (like everything) the workouts are awesome!! thanks, as always...great video!!

[@goalietraining]

Super tall aren't they - - I feel so tiny with them. And it is Hip INTERNAL rotation that helps you feel comfortable in the RVH, not external rotation. I agree, it is a skill that requires practice to hit the right spot... and to get efficient at moving even when you aren't in the exact right spot.

[@srStinnky]

@@goalietraining I know it's the hip INTERNAL rotation, but for some reason I've never felt uncomfortable in the RVH, could it be from the butterfly challenge and all the years of ice training with Maria Mountain?

[@ianturner5727]

For me, relatively new to RVH after years playing goal, it was getting used what feels a little counterintuitive - to drop the knee closest to the puck. Just feels weird and unnatural. A work in progress for sure.

[@goalietraining]

I know what you mean Ian - it's like you say to your legs... here's what we are going to do! And then your brain is like - - "Um....NO!" and you sort of crumple and sometimes fall over :) Stick with it, it is just a matter of learning the new pattern and the drills in the video will help your brain develop that familiarity.

[@patrickriley9558]

I find my biggest struggle with RVH is dropping from a standing position tight to the post into the RVH. I have been told that quickly scooting 2-3 inches away from the post before dropping makes it a lot easier, and it does. But I still struggle with it. Perhaps more practice is required, more stretching, etc. Only one way to find out. Thanks, great video.

[@goalietraining]

I know what you mean Patrick, you get sort of hung up on yourself when you are right in there. I think you are right, the pattern takes practice, I give you a few ways to do that in this video.

[@blainebennett]

I'm no expert but what I've seen taught and has helped me, is changing the way you release your skate edge on the skate by the post. Instead of a normal butterfly motion, you kind of roll your skate blade backward. Very hard to describe, but you go from blade flat to rolling the toe of the blade so it's pointing down into the ice while pushing that knee forward and down Instead of inward and down. Hope that makes some bit of sense.

[@goalietraining]

@@blainebennett interesting. I think I can picture what you are describing. Will have to try that.

[@orieoman]

This is my exact problem. I'm going to try what you said here. I play in the arena in this video tonight.

[@goalietraining]

@@orieoman I love this old barn... have a blast out there Matt!

[@jdiz5150]

Thanks for posting this. It’s really been eating at me. I am “that guy”, former experienced youth goalie to Juniors, multi decade hiatus. Back at ripe old age of…LOL. I love it but obviously not as flexible anymore. I am an old school post hugger for this, however have gotten decent at butterfly slides and recovery. Tried RVH this summer at Adult camp. All three ways painful in RVH to point of scaring me off… Also didn’t like killing the blade on post. BUT the goalie I played against the other week is my age and doing RVH no problem. So that and your vid make me want to try again, toe bridge RVH seems most logical. Stretches look painful too but will check out.

[@goalietraining]

Start with the Butterfly Challenge and see how that helps - no stretches should be painful, so if you are having pain with any of them, then ease off, you might be trying too hard. If that doesn't help, then you might want to get your hips checked out a by a good sport physio. You can find it in your app store by searching "Butterfly Challenge"

[@jdiz5150]

@@goalietraining OK cool thanks will check out. And thank you for doing these videos in general. Pain was knee and ankle when in RVH on ice specifically (felt unnatural/uncomfortable twisting). Full Butterfly in general doesn’t usually produce same pain.

[@goalietraining]

@@jdiz5150 The way you can 'wedge' yourself into the RVH makes it more stressful on the hips, knees and ankles. IN the butterfly you don't have that fixed point to create a fulcrum.

[@MarcelsHockeySchool]

I can get into the RVH pretty well now, but feel that I get stuck there. Getting a good push out of it is still where I struggle big time🤷‍♂️

[@goalietraining]

Try the exercises I give you in the video that will help with that - it is an awkward position where your body isn't naturally strong.

[@tommywd40]

Remembering to keep that edge/anchor point on the alternate leg is the hardest for myself.

[@goalietraining]

Like to help you keep the seal on the post?

[@winnrscircle]

Isn't this super bad for hips? Micro tears over the years adds up to hip replacement?

[@goalietraining]

Yes... being a goalie is bad for your hips. Being a goalie increases wear and tear on your hips (like a baseball pitcher's shoulder/elbow). Yes... RVH is adds wear and tear to your hips... but goalies are going to use it, so let's help you decrease the force on the system.

[@RandomVideoCreator2018]

Ok i have to ask (sorry I'm commenting this on some goalie videos I find) does any goalie struggle with catching? If so, what do you do to fix it? I've seen so many goalie videos where goalies can really catch and I'm so bad at catching. I've tried throwing and catching a baseball with my family, throwing tennis balls on the wall, etc.

[@goalietraining]

I have a few workouts to help with your catching... if you search "hand-eye" or "glove hand" on my channel, you will get some ideas.

[@RandomVideoCreator2018]

@@goalietraining Thank you I will take a look

[@coletender1695]

For me I am a 14u goalie when I go into the rvh I use the shin against the post it is a longer distance and is harder to push off. Also for me being 5 foot 5 if I am somewhat crouched I leave net open but when I stand up taller I cover more but it is kinda awkward doing so. I also have problems getting up and out of the butterfly with my right leg. Just feel weaker with that leg in general. Anything to help with those would be greatly appreciated. Last bantam year and really want to make it into high school. Thanks Maria.

[@goalietraining]

There will always be lots of things to work on Cole - be patient with yourself. Of all the things you described, I would focus the most on getting up with your R leg because that is a skill that will help a lot of your movements. When you are in practice or have open ice time, just practice doing 3 quick reps in a row getting up with your R leg... then go on to work on other things and then slip in 3 quick reps again. Do that about 4 times each time out and it will get better.

[@miklpickle8698]

Getting out of it and keeping my foot planted is what I struggle with and my pads can never stay tight

[@goalietraining]

You mean keeping the foot adjacent to the post planted? What part of your pads feels loose.

[@jdogghizzy2606]

For me it's more my lower back that hurts when I'm leaning into post in rvh

[@goalietraining]

Makes sense - but it probably still comes from a lack of hip mobility, so then you have to try and pull mobility from your torso to get into position.

[@jaredferrin]

Getting out is hard, only because I haven't practiced very much. Being in the RVH on my glove side (left post) makes my knee and ankle feel a lot of pressure. My internal rotational flexibility and mobility aren't as developed as my right side

[@goalietraining]

It’s really common to have one side feel more comfortable than the other. And I think you’re right getting comfortable getting into an out of it does require practice at that movement pattern.

[@jimjones9100]

What do we do when we cant secure use the tension rope ? First drill

[@goalietraining]

Get someone to hold it for you; find a tree to tie it to; use a "door anchor"... do you think any of those could work?

[@jimjones9100]

Nope -do dryland in basement rec room no tiedowns - my partner holding the rope won’t work - she’s trying to not b involved in 24/7 goalie hockey ( needs reprieve 🤦‍♀️) garage is ice tiles- but ill find a solution

[@jimjones9100]

Goalie camp told to stay up on post when at , below goal line then move off post with BF if coming across - think it has to do with reflects to old body i can see the 3 exercises will help when i do go down & prepare for BF across

[@MariaMountain]

@@jimjones9100 That's the spirit... were there's a will, there's a way.

[@aept208]

Staying in the position, my ankles joint hurts a lot

[@goalietraining]

Yeah that’s not a natural position for the ankle at all.

[@mikeyschwartz3355]

I have a rough time getting into the RVH

[@goalietraining]

If you feel okay when you are in it, but it just feels awkward getting there, t could just be a matter of practicing the pattern with assistance like I show in the video, to let your body figure out how to do it.

[@mikeyschwartz3355]

@@goalietraining alright thank you

[@Wartasek]

What is RVH.?

[@goalietraining]

Reverse Vertical Horizontal.