By RYAN WALTER
Question: Ryan, heading into pre-camp and camp we always look to evaluate and improve our players shooting. Thoughts, ideas? –Joe
Answer: Joe, every year from the age of 15 to 35 I prepared for and attended high level training camps. One concern I had during camp and in the pre-camp preparation was that my teammates and I would become lazy in the critical area of putting pucks past goalies. Let’s focus on two important areas that we should evaluate when picking shooting/scoring drills to run early in the season.
The first area that has always been a pet peeve of mine is the lazy shot. Many players (including me in the old days) often shoot the puck on net having no intention of actually scoring. Why put a puck on net at all if you have no real intention of placing it on the other side of the goal line?
Players don’t do this on purpose; they get tired and then lazy. During my 15 NHL seasons I would have to challenge myself many times to fake a shot, or make a move before every shot in certain practices. This was my way of not allowing myself to become lazy in this area. Challenge your players to score on every shot, every practice, every day!
Secondly, many shooting drills allow players to take shots when they are in an “under-high-pace” mode. In other words, if we allow players to shoot without applying some sort of pressure they may become lazy. The shooting drill I am recommending demonstrates the way a simple amount of pressure placed on shooters can make a huge difference. After a good pace drill players line up on both blue lines, keeping one foot on the blue line until they receive the puck. Two players start in opposite corners and, with one foot on the red goal line, make a long pass to any player on the opposite blue line. The passing player must then skate hard to the nearest neutral zone face-off dot and chase (back-check) the player with the puck. The shooter takes a shot, goes into the corner, makes the long pass and presses the next shooter. This creates a continuous high pace shooting drill. In a simple way also, we have put angled pressure on the player with the puck, forcing them to take a hurried shot. Obviously the hurried shot is more game-like, forcing the shooter to take in and act on information more quickly.
By the way coaches, you are going to like the by-product of applying these two simple ideas: more goals scored!
Ryan Walter played 15 NHL Seasons, won a Stanley Cup and has a Masters Degree in Leadership/Business. He works with players, teams and Minor Hockey Associations, synergizing teams and growing leaders. Ryan also speaks at conferences and does long-term performance development work with corporations and organizations across North America. For information on booking Ryan or to purchase his books contact Ryan at ryan@ryanwalter. |
