Anyone who wants to develop a sport, a team, or individual athletes needs more than just passion: it requires competent coaches with specialist knowledge, social skills, and an eye for the bigger picture.
Therefore, the Deutscher Eishockey-Bund (DEB) With National Coach Science & Education Karl Schwarzenbrunner and his team, it is extremely important to provide interested candidates with a comprehensive, well-founded package. In addition to internal development and training, there are valuable external collaborations that enable DEB-Enable trainers to continuously monitor and share innovations.
In addition to the C to A coaching licensing and the numerous continuing education opportunities, Karl Schwarzenbrunner is passionate about training as a goalkeeper coach – an area that, according to Karl Schwarzenbrunner, is sometimes underestimated:
"The goalkeeper position is extremely important – and so is the role of the coach in this area. Especially in young talent, crucial foundations can be laid here. Many clubs currently work with freelance coaches or irregular units – our training is intended to raise awareness of the importance of this position and provide an impetus for building sustainable structures within the club."
As part of the Five-Star Program The role of the goalkeeper coach is therefore specifically promoted – and rewarded with points.
Content & focus of the training
The demands on goaltenders in ice hockey are enormous. Every mistake is visible, every puck can decide the game. This makes it all the more important to have coaches who not only bring technical expertise but also impart mental strength. This is where the goaltending training program of the DEB compact, practical and specialized – for everyone who wants to dedicate themselves specifically to working with goalkeepers.
Jan Kamenik, former goalie and long-time trainer in DEB:
"You can play superbly for 59 minutes – and when two pucks slip through your legs at the end, that's exactly what sticks with you. This mental strain is what makes the position so special. And that's why we need not only coaches who teach the techniques, but also help goaltenders deal with pressure and mistakes."
The course begins with the basics of training planning and analysis of the environment before moving on to specific specialization. The focus is on the techniques and tactics of modern goalkeeping, positional play, and situational adaptation to the action on the ice. This is complemented by the athletic aspect, which is closely integrated with team training. Contrary to what many expect, there is no completely separate training philosophy for goaltenders. Jan Kamenik emphasizes:
"Goalkeepers benefit just as much from general athletic training. Additional programs are useful—but the core of the program should be integration into team training."
entry requirements
Most of the participants in the training have played goalies themselves. According to Jan Kamenik, this isn't a requirement, but it's an advantage:
"We start at a level where it helps to have firsthand experience of the position. However, there are also always team coaches who want to specialize in working with goalies – this course is open to those in exceptional cases. The level of participants is broad – from former professionals like Danny aus den Birken, a silver medalist and long-time DEL player, to coaches who have played goal themselves but haven't actively worked in ice hockey for years."
Why is the C-Trainer license required?
A common question: “Why do I need the C-license for goalkeeper coaching training?”
The answer lies in the system: The C-Trainer certificate teaches basic content such as Didactics, methodology and training planning – and that is exactly what specialization is based on.
"We are not starting from scratch. Our focus is one hundred percent on the goalkeeper position – that's why the previous foundation is so important," explains Kamenik.
course of the training
The training consists of four intensive attendance days, followed by:
- Teaching sample
- Mandatory internships with experienced goalkeeper coaches
- Continuous exchange in a strong network
Meanwhile, over 120 goalkeeper coaches connected to each other in the network through shared groups and regular online meetings.
"The real quality doesn't emerge in just four days—but through exchange, reflection, and a shared understanding. We learn from Finland or North America, for example, but we develop our own German school—adapted to our circumstances."
Instructor Jan Kamenik during on-ice coaching
Further key topics of goalkeeper coach training
Viona Harrer, former national player and DEB-Speaker brings three central topics into the goalkeeper coach training: Rush Management, Traffic management and the performance evaluation of goalkeepers. The main goal is to prepare coaches for the operational work within the club.
“It is important to me that the participants not only know what these focal points mean at the end, but that they are able to plan training sessions specifically and also carry them out practically when they return to their clubs,” said Harrer.
Rush and traffic management
Harrer explains: "In the theoretical part, we work together to understand what rush management and traffic management mean and how these topics can be incorporated into training planning. Afterwards, the participants develop their own training plans in groups. These are then implemented directly on the ice. In practice, it often turns out that things that sound logical in theory raise entirely new questions. That's precisely why it's important to me that the participants lead the exercises themselves. We analyze and observe, provide feedback and tips on how exercises can be improved or adapted."
Performance assessment of goalkeepers
Viona Harrer continues: "A second focus is the assessment and evaluation of performance. This isn't always easy, because evaluations are often subjective. It's not just about a formula, but also about the question of what a goalkeeping coach should pay attention to and which methods are suitable. The discussion is always very interesting because everyone has slightly different priorities. But in the end, it's precisely this exchange that moves us forward."
Theory meets practice
Combining theory and practice is an integral part of the training. While the goalies are being trained on the ice, the instructors focus on the coaches: How do they instruct? How do they structure their drills? Where could adjustments be made?
"Our goal is for coaches to not only know what they're doing, but also understand how to teach it. Theory alone isn't enough – it's on the ice that you see how well an exercise really works. And only if it works can it ultimately lead to the desired success."
Speaker Viona Harrer on the ice with coaching candidates