| Let us consider going after goals in ice | | | | not have too pronounced a hook in the blade. |
| hockey. That means assists, too. So let us | | | | A right-handed shot places his right hand |
| take a look first at the various ways of | | | | lower than his left on his stick, shoots |
| shooting and of beating the goalkeeper. | | | | forehand from his right side, and usually |
| | | | uses a right-handed stick. |
| Before we do this, you should know a very | | | | |
| important fact about shooting. Your team will | | | | A left-handed shot places his left hand lower |
| do well to average 30 to 40 shots on goal per | | | | than his right on his stick, shoots forehand |
| game. If you are a forward, you may have only | | | | from his left side, and usually uses a |
| six to eight shots in a game. In an hour of | | | | left-handed stick. Go to a neutral stick when |
| scrimmage practice, this average may be only | | | | you want to correct a fault of consistently |
| slightly higher. | | | | shooting too high. Sometimes the bend or hook |
| | | | in a blade causes the aerial attack you |
| Then, too, there is the battle of wits that | | | | always seem to launch. |
| goes on between you and the opposing goalie. | | | | |
| You can hope to win this duel only if you | | | | THE PROPER STICK LENGTH for any player is |
| have a thorough knowledge of the target areas | | | | determined by holding the stick up against |
| he has trouble covering, which means you will | | | | his body while he is wearing ordinary shoes. |
| have to put in long, hard practice sessions | | | | The stick end should come just below his |
| with him in the net. | | | | nose. |
| | | | |
| During these long, hard practice sessions, | | | | The weight of stick you use should be the |
| your constant companion will be your stick, | | | | lightest you can get without it being too |
| which plays a very important part in good | | | | brittle or too "whippy." The less weight in |
| shooting. Your stick will be your best friend | | | | the blade, the easier you can handle the |
| if you show as good a judgment in selecting | | | | whole stick. Some players go to considerable |
| it as you show in selecting your skates. | | | | trouble to plane wood from the thick part of |
| | | | the heel, or they even cut an inch or two |
| So you will not score many goals unless you | | | | from the toe, to get a lighter stick. |
| put in a good amount of shooting practice to | | | | |
| get the speed, power, and accuracy which will | | | | You should wrap the blade with electrical |
| make your few chances count. And you will not | | | | tape to keep it from breaking. This also |
| be able to shoot your way out of a paper bag | | | | serves the purpose of "cushioning" the puck |
| unless your technique for getting the puck | | | | in pass receiving and in stickhandling. |
| away is sound. | | | | |
| | | | Your necessary equipment for hockey is |
| Your Stick and Other Hockey Needs | | | | complete when you have gloves, shin pads, |
| | | | pants, stockings, elbow pads, athletic |
| Your choice of stick should be made with care | | | | support, shoulder pads, and a helmet. You are |
| so that, after you have used a few, you know | | | | very wise to wear a helmet, whether required |
| what hand, lie, length, and weight suits you | | | | or not. Not only will it protect you, but it |
| best. | | | | also will give you confidence in your early |
| | | | years of developing skating skills. Now you |
| You can buy a left, right, or neutral stick | | | | should be able to score goals, pleasing |
| at a sporting goods store. Pick one for the | | | | yourself and your team! |
| hand with which you shoot, provided it does | | | | |