The T-push is the main way hockey goalies move side to side on their feet. You turn your head toward the puck, rotate your lead skate to point where you want to go, push off the inside edge of your back skate, glide low with your hands forward, then stop with the inside edge of the lead skate and set your stance square to the shooter. From above, your skates briefly form a “T” shape, which gives the move its name. It is the fastest way to cover longer distances across the crease while staying upright and ready to react.
This guide explains how to do the T-push step by step, when to use it instead of a shuffle or butterfly slide, common mistakes, drills and how to build the leg strength and edge control it needs.
How to T-push, step by step
- Head and eyes first. Turn your head toward the puck’s new location. Where the eyes go, the body follows.
- Rotate the lead skate. Point the lead skate in the direction you want to travel. Your hips will open naturally.
- Push. Drive hard off the inside edge of the back skate, extending the leg fully.
- Glide. Stay low and balanced with your hands forward, glove open and stick blade on the ice to cover the five-hole.
- Stop. As you arrive, dig in the inside edge of the lead skate to stop cleanly.
- Set. Bring the push skate back under you and square your shoulders and pads to the shooter, ready for the shot.
When to use the T-push
| Situation | Better movement | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Puck moves across the zone with time to set | T-push | Covers distance quickly while staying on your feet |
| Small adjustment of a foot or two | Shuffle | Keeps you square without turning the hips |
| Quick cross-crease pass in tight | Butterfly slide | Keeps the bottom of the net sealed while moving |
| Moving from the post to the top of the crease | T-push or C-cut | Lets you move out to challenge the shooter |
| Recovering after a save | Butterfly recovery then T-push | Gets you back up and moving toward the new puck position |
T-push vs shuffle vs butterfly slide
Goalies use three main lateral movements, and knowing when to choose each is as important as technique. The shuffle keeps both skates facing forward and moves you short distances while staying square, but it is slow over longer gaps. The T-push is faster and covers more ice but turns the hips briefly, so it needs a quick, precise stop. The butterfly slide keeps the pads on the ice while moving, which seals low shots on close-range passes but leaves you down if the puck is lifted or moved again. Strong goalies blend all three depending on distance, time and shot threat.
Common T-push mistakes
- Standing up during the push, which opens gaps under the arms and between the legs.
- Leading with the shoulders instead of the eyes and lead skate, which causes over-rotation.
- Overshooting the angle, sliding past the right spot and leaving the far side of the net open.
- A weak or late stop, which means you are still moving when the shot arrives.
- Dropping the hands and stick, leaving the glove side and five-hole exposed.
- Using the T-push for tiny adjustments where a shuffle would keep you more square.
Drills to improve your T-push
- Post-to-post T-push: Start on one post, T-push to the other, stop and set. Repeat for time, focusing on a clean stop.
- Crease line work: T-push along the top of the crease to marked spots, checking that you arrive square each time.
- Follow the puck: A coach moves a puck around the zone and the goalie T-pushes to stay square to it.
- T-push and save: After each T-push, a shooter takes a quick shot so the goalie learns to set before the release.
- Figure-eight pattern: Combine T-pushes, shuffles and C-cuts in a pattern around the crease to build smooth transitions.
Building strength and edge control
A powerful T-push depends on strong legs, hips and core, plus confident edge work. Off-ice exercises such as lateral lunges, skater jumps, resistance-band walks and single-leg squats build pushing power. On the ice, practise inside and outside edge drills without pads first, then add equipment. Build training volume gradually, warm up the hips and groin before sessions, and speak to a coach or medical professional about any hip, groin or knee pain, which are common problem areas for goalies.
Reading the play before you move
The best T-push starts before the puck moves. Watch the puck carrier’s eyes, stick and body to anticipate passes, and keep checking where the open attackers are. When you read a pass early, you can start your push as the puck leaves the stick and arrive set before the shot. Goalies who react late often have to use a desperate slide instead of a controlled T-push, which makes rebounds and second chances more likely.
Stance before and after the push
The T-push starts and finishes in a good ready stance. Keep your feet slightly wider than shoulder-width, knees bent, weight on the balls of the feet and on the inside edges, chest up and hands in front of the body. The glove should be open and slightly forward, the blocker beside the pad, and the stick blade flat on the ice about a foot in front of the skates. Returning to this same stance after every push means you are always ready for the next shot, whether it is a quick release, a pass or a rebound.
Using the T-push with depth
Lateral movement is only part of positioning. Goalies also manage depth, meaning how far out from the goal line they stand. Many goalies play deeper on plays close to the net, which shortens the distance they need to travel on passes, and move higher in the crease to challenge shots from farther out. When you T-push from a deep position, your path is shorter and easier to control. When you are higher in the crease, you may need to push slightly backward as well as sideways to stay on the correct angle. Practising T-pushes at different depths helps you arrive in the right spot, not just on the right line.
A weekly movement plan for goalies
| Session | Focus | Example work |
|---|---|---|
| Session 1 | Technique | Slow post-to-post T-pushes and crease line work, focusing on the stop |
| Session 2 | Speed | Timed T-push patterns and follow-the-puck drills |
| Session 3 | Game situations | T-push and save drills with shooters and passes across the zone |
Frequently asked questions
Why is it called a T-push?
During the movement, the lead skate points toward the target while the push skate stays perpendicular behind it, so the skates form a “T” shape when viewed from above.
Should youth goalies learn the T-push?
Yes. It is one of the basic goalie movements and can be taught once a young goalie is comfortable in their stance and can use the inside edges of their skates.
How can I stop overshooting on my T-push?
Push with less force for short distances, keep your eyes on the target spot, and practise a strong, early stop with the lead skate’s inside edge.
