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When it comes to a hockey trade, finding a willing partner is often difficult. In some cases, however, there is a perfect match. This appears to be the case with the Minnesota Wild and San Jose Sharks who have pulled off a few stunners in the last two weeks.

The teams are in a unique position. The Sharks have made the playoffs, but gagged repeatedly. Basically, their stars haven’t come through in any meaningful way. In contrast, the Wild haven’t sniffed the playoffs in a long time and desperately need offense. In this case, one team’s garbage is another team’s gold. The Sharks have unloaded two snipers in David Setoguchi and Danny Heatley for a decent defenseman and okay forward from the Wild. In it’s desperation for change, the Sharks are getting fleeced by their panicky moves and the Wild love it! Ultimately, this could lead to the Sharks dropping in the standings while the Wild move up and perhaps pass them.

The biggest reason we have our goalies work on catching the ball with their chest, is because it forces them get their body behind the ball. If you miss the catch it will not matter because your body will block the ball from the goal. To pull this catch off effectively, put your arms out in front of you bent at the elbow so that the your arms are horizontal to the ground and their undersides are facing upwards. Just as the ball comes into your chest, bring your arms inwards in a scooping movement around the ball- your arms therefore cushion the impact of the ball against your chest and hold it there securely.

This way of catching is also the safest possible method for a soccer goalie and should be used every time the ball comes into the body. As a general rule, if a soccer goalie has his body behind the ball then the ball is safe. Sometimes the ball might be coming at waist of knee height. In these cases, you need to drop forwards and then take the ball into your chest in the same way as normal. You will end up with your legs behind you and your body lying down facing forwards. Work on soccer drills were goalies have to use their chest to stop the ball but keep their hands on the ball.