Jacques Plante "On Goaltending"

I just thought, I might add another review.

There is one book, I'd recommend to any goalie.
Not because save movements have good descriptions in there, not because the workouts and drills are so great and not because the equipment is described in such great detail.
No, all this does not apply to Jacques Plantes book "On Goaltending".

The equipment section is quite helpful, if you have to play with inferior equipment. The workouts are nice, if you do not like weights and they all work at home. The drills give you an idea, how to develop your own. There is a basic set of movevments described (glove save, blocker save, stack pads, skate save). But all this is not, what you will be looking for, if you buy that book.

It has two real benefits. One major point is positioning and when to play the puck. Everything said about those issues work regardless of style and rules (to a certain degree, if they no longer let goalies leave the crease, a lot of the fun is taken away anyway) and will help you along your career.
The other benefit comes from between the lines. It is a philosophy behind goaltending. The book tells you, what you want to achieve and helps you find ways, it should be used to develop your own style, and that's why I think, it is not outdated

I've bought that book after reading an article by Paul Steigerwald or someone else of the Pittsburgh Tribune "Goaltending by the book" which claimed Tommie Bs style to be from that book. At those days I have not been playing, but it helped me watch and judge goalies differently than before. But its true value came apparent as I started playing myself later.

What do you think?

[Bryan]

I love this book. This book has substance. Despite how dated it is, you will still find a lot more information to help your game in Plante's book than you will in any other.

[Rook1079]

I find it pretty cool just because I like to learn more about the history of our fine union. The book is pretty sweet. Plus, Plante has some interesting things to say about the position and the mentality you need to have to play goal.

I think that every goaltender should own a copy of this book simply because it was written by a legend, a icon in goaltending.

Its historical and sentimental value far exceeds the material it contains.

[Squealagig]

Another book I bought before I even started playing goal!

[Aaron]

I've got that book too. I just love the equipment section. I cringe thinking of all those brave souls who played so many years ago.

The one thing I found funny was the "correct stance". Being from so long ago, it was humorous to me but I do understand that goaltending was in it's infancy and not studied like it is today.

A good read, and you can see the perspective from one of the greatest ever.

[az]

I've also read the book. Unfortunately, it was a library book, so I don't own it.

Ditto on all the comments already made. I thought the illustrations and photos (I think I remember photos) were excellent.

And, hey, if you still play stand-up style, that's a book that will DEFINITELY help you.

[BrickWall]

I have that book. I think it's great to read about the equipment and style of play back then. It gives you a renewed respect for those who played then. It also shows you how the different saves have evolved.

[Colin]

Thanks for the advice on this one guys, I will ask Santa.

[Backmarker]

I read this book when I was a kid. It was the only book around then and taught me alot. There was a peice in there regarding peripheral vision..don't remember much about it other then those exercise helped me with that and various other things.

[spidergoalie]

ancient thread I know, but,
does anyone happen to have a pdf version of this book?
I have two hard copies, but I'd like one on my ipod.

[maxsdad]

Great.

Not only am I buying gear based on recommendations found on this board, now because of this thread, I just popped $50 for a copy on ebay. (It's even more monies on amazon).

My wife is going to close this place down.

[JHanson]

I got my copy in the eighties as a discard from my local library. It sits on my shelf next to my fuhr on goaltending and my Vic's goalies aren't targets. I still look at them on occasion

[CoopALoop1234]

Originally Posted by JHanson

I got my copy in the eighties as a discard from my local library. It sits on my shelf next to my fuhr on goaltending and my Vic's goalies aren't targets. I still look at them on occasion

Since you love in my neighbourhood, those books might go mysteriously missing.

Also, holy 13 year old thread necro batman.

[Old Swiss2]

The book is a classic, but not sure how much information is still useful.

What is important about it is that for the first time it codified the position.

Conditioning. Drills. Gear. Even a section on the butterfly (which was heresy in 1973.)

It's an important part of a goaltenders library if just for the historical importance.

(By the way, if anyone comes across a copy of Dave Dryden's book on goaltending from the 70s let me know.)