A butterfly slide is a lateral movement where a hockey goalie drops into the butterfly while travelling across the crease, sliding on the pads to arrive square to a new shooter with the bottom of the net sealed. Goalies use it on cross-crease passes, rebounds and quick plays in tight, when there is no time to stand up and T-push. Done well, it covers distance fast while keeping the ice covered the whole way.
This guide explains when to use the butterfly slide, how it differs from the butterfly push, the step-by-step technique, drills to build it and the mistakes that leave holes in the net.
Butterfly slide vs butterfly push vs T-push
Goalies have several ways to move laterally, and choosing the right one depends on the distance, the time available and where the puck is going.
| Movement | Starting position | How it works | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| T-push | Standing stance | Rotate the lead skate toward the target and push with the back leg while staying upright | Longer moves when there is time to set before the shot |
| Butterfly slide | Standing stance | Push off the far leg and drop into the butterfly while sliding toward the target | Cross-crease passes and low plays where a shot is coming immediately |
| Butterfly push (power push) | Already in the butterfly | Lift the lead leg, plant its inside edge and drive across on the trailing pad | Rebounds and second chances while already down |
| Shuffle | Standing stance | Small sideways steps on both inside edges | Short adjustments while tracking a shooter |
The butterfly slide trades a little control for speed. Once a goalie commits, the slide carries them to a spot, so it works best when the goalie reads the play early and knows where the next shot is coming from.
When to use the butterfly slide
- Cross-crease passes. When the puck moves across the slot to a shooter at the far post, sliding into the butterfly takes away the low part of the net immediately.
- Backdoor plays. Passes to an attacker waiting at the far side of the crease leave no time to stand and set.
- Low, in-close shots. Most goals in tight go along the ice or just above it, so arriving with the pads sealed is the priority.
- Scrambles near the crease. When the puck is bouncing around in front, staying low protects the bottom of the net.
Avoid it on shots from distance, on plays where the shooter has time to pick a corner high, and when the puck carrier can easily walk around a committed goalie. In those situations, a T-push to a set stance usually gives better coverage.
How to do a butterfly slide, step by step
- Read the pass. Watch the puck carrier’s stick and body. The earlier you recognize the pass, the less distance you need to cover in a rush.
- Lead with your head. Turn your head to find the puck and the target shooter. The shoulders and hips follow the eyes, which starts the rotation toward the new angle.
- Load the push leg. The push comes from the leg farther from where you are going. Dig its inside edge into the ice with the knee bent.
- Drive and drop. Push hard off that edge while dropping into the butterfly. The lead pad goes down first and slides toward the target, and the push leg folds in behind it.
- Keep the lead pad flat. The lead pad should stay flush with the ice so pucks cannot slip underneath. A lead pad angled up leaves a gap along the ice.
- Keep the hands forward. Glove and blocker stay in front of the body, not dropped to the sides, so you can react to a shot above the pads.
- Stick on the ice. The stick covers the five hole and helps deflect low shots. It should lead the body into the new position.
- Stop square. Finish facing the shooter, with the chest square and the pads sealed. Overslide past the post and you leave the short side open.
- Recover. After the shot or if the puck moves again, recover to your feet by bringing one skate under you, or use a butterfly push if you need to move again while down.
Drills to build a strong butterfly slide
- Post-to-post slides without a puck. Slide from the post to the middle of the crease and back, focusing on a flat lead pad and a controlled stop.
- Cross-crease pass drill. A coach or shooter passes from one side of the slot to a shooter on the other, and the goalie slides to take away the low shot.
- Rebound follow-up drill. After a first shot, a second puck is shot from the opposite side, forcing a butterfly push or slide to recover.
- Target-stop drill. Place a cone or marker where the goalie should stop square, which trains accurate distance control.
- Edge work off the ice. Lateral lunges, hip mobility work and single-leg strength training build the push and the flexibility the butterfly requires.
Start slowly and build speed once the form is right. A slow, square slide is more useful than a fast one that ends in the wrong spot.
Common mistakes
- Sliding too early. Committing before the pass is made lets the puck carrier hold it and shoot into the space you just left.
- Lead pad lifted. An angled lead pad opens a gap along the ice, which is exactly where cross-crease shots go.
- Oversliding. Travelling past the post leaves the short side open and forces a scramble back.
- Leaning back. Falling backward during the slide opens the upper net and makes recovery slow.
- Dropping the hands. Hands at the sides leave the top corners exposed on shots above the pads.
- Stick off the ice. A lifted stick opens the five hole and loses control of rebounds.
- Using it for everything. Relying on the butterfly slide on every lateral play makes a goalie predictable and vulnerable to high shots.
How the butterfly slide fits a goalie’s game
Modern goaltending blends the butterfly with positional play. Goalies aim to be square and set before shots whenever possible, using T-pushes and shuffles. The butterfly slide is the tool for the moments when that is not possible, especially on plays across the slot. Knowing when to stay up and when to slide is as important as the technique itself.
Many goalie coaches also teach reverse vertical horizontal (RVH) positioning for plays near the post, and the butterfly slide often connects these movements when the puck moves from a sharp angle into the slot. Building a full toolbox of movements lets a goalie choose the most efficient option on each play.
Health and safety note
The butterfly places heavy loads on the hips and knees. Warm up thoroughly, work on hip mobility and strength, and avoid excessive repetitions when you are fatigued. Wear properly fitted goalie equipment, including knee protection. If you feel hip or knee pain that persists, stop and see a medical professional or physiotherapist. This article is general information, not medical advice.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a butterfly slide and a butterfly push?
A butterfly slide starts from a standing stance and drops into the butterfly while moving. A butterfly push starts from the butterfly and uses the lead leg to drive across the crease while staying down.
Which leg pushes in a butterfly slide?
The leg farther from the direction of travel pushes off its inside edge, while the lead pad drops and slides toward the new shooter.
When should a goalie avoid the butterfly slide?
Avoid it on long-distance shots, when the shooter has time to pick a high corner, or when the puck carrier can easily move around a committed goalie. A T-push to a set stance is often better then.
