Inter’s Martinez utilizes ice hockey ‘butterfly’ move for enhanced performance

April 23, 2026 Aksel Kryhlmand

Inter Milan goalkeeper Josip Martinez delivered a decisive performance in the Coppa Italia semi-final against Como on April 21, 2026, showcasing a goalkeeping technique increasingly adopted from the world of ice hockey.

His series of crucial saves, particularly against Baturina, Diao, and Caqueret, were instrumental in preventing a potential 1-3 scoreline and securing his team's progress.

Martinez's saves were characterized by a distinctive body positioning, designed to cover the maximum possible space with widely spread hands and reactive leg movements.

This style, as reported by La Gazzetta Dello Sport, is directly inspired by the "butterfly" technique, a staple in ice hockey for decades.

The 'butterfly' technique explained

In ice hockey, the "butterfly" involves goalies dropping to their knees, spreading their arms and leg pads to cover the lower portion of the net, while simultaneously using wide arm positioning to obscure the upper areas.

This method prioritizes covering angles and reacting to shots by presenting a large, impenetrable barrier.

The technique's journey from the ice rink to the football pitch wasn't direct. It first found a home in futsal, the five-a-side variant of football, where it was known as the "Iberian cross."

Futsal's fast-paced, close-range shooting environment mirrored some of the challenges faced by ice hockey goalies, making the "butterfly" a natural fit before its eventual adoption by eleven-a-side football goalkeepers.

From Neuer to Cech: Football's embrace of the ice hockey style

Martinez is not alone in employing this advanced goalkeeping art. Top-tier football custodians like Manuel Neuer of Bayern Munich and Mike Maignan of Milan are also recognized masters of the "butterfly" technique. Their ability to quickly drop, spread, and cover the goal with such efficiency has redefined modern goalkeeping.

Perhaps the most compelling example of the synergy between ice hockey and football goalkeeping comes from Petr Cech. After a storied career as a football goalkeeper for Chelsea and Arsenal, Cech famously transitioned to playing ice hockey professionally.

He has since played for several British minor league teams, including Guildford Phoenix, Belfast Giants, Chelmsford Chieftans, and Oxford City Stars, demonstrating the transferable skills and shared principles between the two seemingly disparate roles.

Cech's unique career path underscores how specific training methods and reactive positioning strategies have been successfully copied from ice hockey to enhance football goalkeeping.

As the sport evolves, the integration of techniques from other disciplines, particularly those that demand quick reflexes and optimal space coverage, continues to shape the role of the modern goalkeeper, with Josip Martinez's recent heroics serving as a prime example.

Sources: www.gazzetta.it, video.gazzetta.it