OK kiddies, step right up and learn how to hypnotize the Cobra and handcuff that snake shooter. I shoot the snake, and I know what bugs the crap out of me on defense, and I think this will in turn help you see into the mind of the snake shooter.
Just some thoughts before the list of 10 More often then not, a snake shooter is shooting movement away from a hole. Think about that for a minute...they are timing, but they usually are timing movement away from a hole. Most shooters don't shoot the hole...It is movement away from a hole that triggers the attack! Keep this in mind when you create a defense.
1. VARY YOUR SPEED
as you rpoduce your defense, try to be changing your speed of movement from fast to slow and visa-versa. It is much harder to time holes where hand speed is decreasing or increasing, rather than a defense that is a constant rate of speed. Keep thinking in your head.. "now I'm going to slow my hands down a little, then a little more then a litttle more, then I'm now going to go fast, now a little faster" You might use 3-5 speeds in a 15 second defense.
2. DON'T MOVE ON A ROOKIE
My favorite defense on a rookie, is one where I fork both men out, maybe take the pull side and middle away from him, then just sit there and give him the push. Don't even move...just grunt. I'd say that half the time, the rook will blow the shot...and guess what...If he blows that first shot...you own him. You can give him that defense ten more times and he will blow 8 more shots cause he is nervous, it's his weak side, and he is embarrased from missing the first shot. If he hits the first shot. I might try one more time, or I might force the pull. But abandon this defense early, since it only works with a mental first miss.
3. FORCE MORE PUSHES ON UNKNOWN SHOOTERS
Every player has a favorite side, but the mechanics of the snake make the pull a faster, more natural movement. I beilieve it is better to leave more push sides open on players you don't know. This will sway the percentages into your favor. All you push shooting roll-over guys are licking your lips eh?
4. FLICK FOOT OF MAN FORWARD
Everyone moves the rods in and out good, but many people forget to flick the foot of the man back and forth a bit. This changes the patterns up, and makes the defense just a little more confusing. You don't need to do it very often...maybe twice in a 15 second defense.
5. HANDS DEPENDENT AND INDEPENDENT
Remember you can move your goalie rods together as a pair, forward and back, or you can move one forward and the other back, and you can freeze one and move the other. Try all 3 situations and see what works for you. I personally like to keep hands together to avoid giving to many middles as I work the rods back and forth, but it is best to test and see what the goalie doesn't like and to see what you feel most comfortable with.
6. STAY ON THE HOLES
Stick to the 1-3-5 holes, avoid the "I" pattern or getting caught in no mans land where you are half on and half off a hole. Worry about holes 2-4 after you feel comfortable blocking the roll-over and when play pros or higher. You must convince yourself it is always better to totally comit to a hole...here's why. Let's say the shooter is going to shoot either a push or a middle> If you commit to the middle, you will block 50% of that shot. If you get stuck inbetween the two holes, the shooter will score 100%, or at least 75%, since you are covering both holes poorly rather than covering one hole well. Convince yourself it is better to let the guy hammer a perfect shot, than to get stuck inbetween two holes.
7. TRY SLOWING DOWN
Many people love to go like a million miles an hour when they block a roll-over. 3 things go wrong when you do this...
a) you get called for jarring
b) the holes get easier to time
c) you burn out the first day of the tournament You can go slow a s a snail and still block the snake. Watch Terry Moore on video when he plays goal....his hands move in a slow rhythmic pattern and he sure blocks the roll0over great! You'd be shocked how many people you will block by adjusting your speed slower, and concentrate more on your patterns.
8. (MOVEMENT AWAY FROM HOLE)
When you are doing your pattern, try freezing for a half second, then move both hands out 1/2" then immidiately back 1/2". You'll find the snake shooter will drill the ball into your man as he thinks you are opening up a hole. You can do the same 1/2" or 1/4" fake when you are moving, and I really think this is the best way to stop a snake shooter. Give them a patterny D f0r 2-3 seconds, then pretend to move off the hole 1/4" but come right back to the hole...and WHAM, he fires it into your man. This defense kills me! I want to shoot movement away from the hole, and the hole seems to be opening up, yet it is a fake!
9. DON'T RACE
Unless your name is Mares, don't race, you will get killed since there usually isn't enough body clues to race a snake.
10. RELAX, STAY CALM
Don't worry if the ball hammers the goal. It's just a goal. Stay calm, keep adjusting slightly, don't panic and do the "move my hands as fast as I can" defense. Vary speed and tempo, and fake off holes. Hope this info helps. Email me if you have any questions.
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