Leading the pack of the veterans of the English national league is stalwart "old timer" (meant positively using the American slang of the NHL and beyond!) who offers a different approach to the game and an intense level of consistency for the team he plays for. With a style of hybridised technique and broad depth. With his wealth of experience and level of consistency, he is an example of elite level goalkeeping for others to learn from, and has great insight into the game, on a higher level of thinking.
Mason provides an incredibly stable presence "between the sticks" for the Surrey outfit, a high level of goalkeeper and player that Guildford can rely on to bail them out of trouble and keep them in games or keep them "leveled up" (i.e. ahead of the opposition on that front!), as he practically steals wins for them with his play. For instance, in their win at home over a strong side in Havant (which I was lucky enough to get alone to, a great goalie performance to watch). But I think sometimes they can end up over relying on the ex-GB Olympian as they sometimes expect more of him than the required effort of playing as a team!
Whilst his playing style might hark back to a game from days gone by, he proffers an important signature on the coaching of goalkeepers. He plays a style that is totally unique to him and whilst now all sports seem to be obsessed with coaching a system for all, rather than coaching out the natural born (god given, however you want to phrase it!) talents, to the detriment of goalkeepers' development. I would go as far as saying coaches should coach goalkeepers appropriate to the goalkeeper, and place emphasis on the positives of playing as Mason does. With his extreme height, agility, athleticism, and ability to read the game like a chess board (like Hasek did in the NHL and the best natural shot stoppers purely do!).
Mason plays a style that is unique to his physiological nature and inherent talents, a sort of Pat Jennings of hockey, with his long limbed lackadasical approach, a lot like Triggs (who could probably also be playing if he wanted to, given his level of talent!). For goalie coaches and developing goalkeepers alike, he is a goalkeeper to inspire, encourage and learn from, if England hope to ever have another star goalkeeper in their midst. Rather than copy literally, it's important to focus on the goalkeeper as their own goalkeeper, rather than the "next Simon Mason" as England hockey seems to be obsessed with, though!
Mason provides an incredibly stable presence "between the sticks" for the Surrey outfit, a high level of goalkeeper and player that Guildford can rely on to bail them out of trouble and keep them in games or keep them "leveled up" (i.e. ahead of the opposition on that front!), as he practically steals wins for them with his play. For instance, in their win at home over a strong side in Havant (which I was lucky enough to get alone to, a great goalie performance to watch). But I think sometimes they can end up over relying on the ex-GB Olympian as they sometimes expect more of him than the required effort of playing as a team!
Whilst his playing style might hark back to a game from days gone by, he proffers an important signature on the coaching of goalkeepers. He plays a style that is totally unique to him and whilst now all sports seem to be obsessed with coaching a system for all, rather than coaching out the natural born (god given, however you want to phrase it!) talents, to the detriment of goalkeepers' development. I would go as far as saying coaches should coach goalkeepers appropriate to the goalkeeper, and place emphasis on the positives of playing as Mason does. With his extreme height, agility, athleticism, and ability to read the game like a chess board (like Hasek did in the NHL and the best natural shot stoppers purely do!).
Mason plays a style that is unique to his physiological nature and inherent talents, a sort of Pat Jennings of hockey, with his long limbed lackadasical approach, a lot like Triggs (who could probably also be playing if he wanted to, given his level of talent!). For goalie coaches and developing goalkeepers alike, he is a goalkeeper to inspire, encourage and learn from, if England hope to ever have another star goalkeeper in their midst. Rather than copy literally, it's important to focus on the goalkeeper as their own goalkeeper, rather than the "next Simon Mason" as England hockey seems to be obsessed with, though!
