| During the course of a practice, it is not uncommon for | | | | develops a good habit that will be useful in games! |
| players to get bored and become sluggish, especially | | | | 3. Add a shot at the end of a skating drill. Adding a |
| at young ages while working on monotonous skills like | | | | shot at the end of a skating drill can completely |
| technical skating. Adding hockey shooting drills into the | | | | change the drill in the mind of a youngster, motivating |
| mix is a great way to liven up your practice and keep | | | | him or her to practice all kinds of skills he or she |
| your players motivated and up beat. High tempo | | | | doesn't really like. I use this a lot when working on |
| shooting drills can also help spark some competition | | | | backward skating with the really young kids. |
| and mentally rejuvenate your players during longer | | | | 4. Specify what types of shots to use. It is tempting |
| practices. | | | | for players to walk the puck all the way in and deke. |
| When working with hockey shooting drills, I try to | | | | There is a time and a place for dekes, but most shots |
| implement a few key points that help my players to | | | | in games will not be dekes. Sometimes its helpful to |
| get the most benefit possible: | | | | designate what type of shot you'd like your players to |
| | | | focus on, and where you'd like to see the shot come |
| 1. Insist that players keep their feet moving while | | | | from. This will ensure that players are adequately |
| shooting, or shoot in stride. Many players slow down | | | | developing a wide range of skills around the net. |
| and glide just before shooting, not only does this | | | | As you progress through the season, you'll get a good |
| announce to the goalie that a shot is coming, but it also | | | | feel for your team, and you'll be able to recognize |
| gives the backchecker a chance to get a stick on the | | | | when they need some good hockey shooting drills to |
| shooter and mess up the shot. Shooting in stride is a | | | | get them revved back up again. Give these easy |
| great habit to get into! | | | | pointers a try and see how it goes in your next |
| 2. Follow up on rebounds. Coach your players to take | | | | practice! |
| their shot, then drive home any rebound. Again, this | | | | |