The RinkFor the not so ready for prime-time players, coaches, referees, and the people that have to live with them. Discuss experiences in local leagues, coaching tips, equipment, and training.
I'm a forward coming into the offensive zone, or I'm already in the slot...
1- The problem happens when there's a D between me and the goalie andI want to use the screen to score.
2- I play in a new league with no slap shots. My slaps that I've always used before in this situation would get through most of the time (maybe the Ds aren't as brave when it's a slap?).
3- I'm stuck using short snaps or wrist shots.
4-A majority of my shots get blocked before getting to the goal.
Are there tricks? Shoot between the Ds leg? On his stick side? On the other side? Past his stick? Under his stick? etc... Are there videos that show a "how to"?
I've always had success shooting through their legs, but you can't just assume they will be spread so you might have to work to open them up. Or you can always cut quickly one way or the other and create some space for yourself. If you have the hands you can put the puck through him and let off a quick shot when you pick it back up. Lots of times goalies will be thrown off by that even without a screen, though it probably won't do you any good if you haven't got a good shot to back it up.
As a forward who plays and blocks shots a lot in his own zone, I block more slapshots than wristers or snappers from defensemen. I never take any of my own when coming in the zone, and I rarely get blocked with my wristers
I've always had success shooting through their legs, but you can't just assume they will be spread so you might have to work to open them up. Or you can always cut quickly one way or the other and create some space for yourself. If you have the hands you can put the puck through him and let off a quick shot when you pick it back up. Lots of times goalies will be thrown off by that even without a screen, though it probably won't do you any good if you haven't got a good shot to back it up.
As a forward who plays and blocks shots a lot in his own zone, I block more slapshots than wristers or snappers from defensemen. I never take any of my own when coming in the zone, and I rarely get blocked with my wristers
Maybe it's a question of tells on my part, crossing the blue line or in the high slot, maybe it's obvious I'm going to shoot when I wrist or snap? Taking a slap shot or half-slap has been my main weapon from these areas for years, (despite the bigger wind-up) there might be something unconscious that makes it more effective? I just tried to power it through the D without thinking.
Try to move the puck laterally a bit before shooting. Fake the shot and either toe drag pull or cut outside just a bit.
I'm working on my toe-drag shot. It's a work in progress... For some reason Ds are still adjusting and picking it up more often than not. Maybe I don't have the proper distance from the D?
I'm also trying to shoot more from my off leg... Also a work in progress.
Are you faking a shot before you toe drag? That might help. It might freeze them like a goalie. Just a little shoulder dip, or head bob or something might work.
Shoot high and hard once and they will not stand infront of you for the rest of the game.............. seriously though, plenty of pros are notorious for not getting shots through. If you're looking for a deflection or rebound, you don't have to hit the dead centre of the net, aim for the sides and even a little wide to open your range. If you're alone, well, time to learn that fancy stuff.
Heh, personally, in that situation, I just make sure I can get it through the defender. You may be trying to pick a corner on net but that won't be useful if you can't get it past the defender. You have a good idea of where the net is, just throw it on net but focus on getting it through the defender as a priority. I usually do that and there's still enough of a screen that even a shot that isn't that close to a corner still ends up going in just because of the quicker reaction time required by goalies.
1- The problem happens when there's a D between me and the goalie andI want to use the screen to score.
2- I play in a new league with no slap shots. My slaps that I've always used before in this situation would get through most of the time (maybe the Ds aren't as brave when it's a slap?).
3- I'm stuck using short snaps or wrist shots.
4-A majority of my shots get blocked before getting to the goal.
Ok, let me take a stab.
1) Ya, that's a problem indeed.
2) Well, that rule kinda sucks, but, slapshots are somewhat overrated unless you have a bomb, or have like the most amazing placement ever. They are also way easier to block than a wrister or snap because 99% of players telegraph the **** out of their shots. You're better off with the sick wrister.
3) This is a good thing, bare with me a sec. I know the big slapper gets the praise and the oooh's and ahh's when they go in, but the reality is, they don't nearly as much as the sweet wrister/snap. I'm probably the worst defenceman ever, but if I forward comes down on me and starts to wind up for a slapper, my eyes get wide and I go in and poke/deflect that stuff away. I think any goalie will also tell you, the wristers are much more of a problem than slappers.
4) Eh, that's tough to comment on without seeing you in action.
Anyway, my advice, take wristers, snapers, and crash. If the defenceman gives you a hole to shoot through, as in his legs, use that. Don't try to shoot through anybody, it'll never go through, but if he's skating backwards, and his legs are planted, he's not gonna be able to block most shots you take unless you are shooting it right into him. Getting it on net is worth more than trying for a perfect shot and having it blocked. So many goals come off garbage shots, it's always worth just putting it on net.
Any tips on how to aim the shot if you're using the D as the screen?
I've got the shot using the D as a screen down, but I can't figure out how to aim the shot. Every time I do it I put the puck right in the goalie's chest.
Any tips on how to aim the shot if you're using the D as the screen?
I've got the shot using the D as a screen down, but I can't figure out how to aim the shot. Every time I do it I put the puck right in the goalie's chest.
Goalies can't stop what they can't see (unless they get lucky), I try to just not shoot at the middle of the net and aim for a corner.
For beginners on breakaways, start with going backhand, and as you go, try going faster to your backhand, you'll find a lot more open net. After you can do that, start to try faking the shot before going backhand, and you'll find success. Watch these highlights of Alex Burrows going backhand and you'll see what I mean.
Watch the pro level, see what they do. In all honesty this is not a hard problem. Go by yourself and set up obstacles. Move, dangle, stay stationary, shoot low, shoot high, work on touch and first touch and one timers and holding onto the puck.
Its practice/repetition... you need more poise. Look at guys like Karlsson, he destroyed the Rangers last year. So much poise and control on top of skating. Its not hard at all to not hit a defender every single time
Any tips on how to aim the shot if you're using the D as the screen?
I've got the shot using the D as a screen down, but I can't figure out how to aim the shot. Every time I do it I put the puck right in the goalie's chest.
Technique and strategy brother. Different speed, power, location etc Garage practice
Put the puck in a shooting position and hesitate for an extra second while skating/coasting. A lot of the time the D will unconsciously commit to the shot and the hesitation means that you'll move a bit off the lane they froze in, giving you the shot. That or drop the shoulder/snap the wrists a bit and actually sell the fake.
Put the puck in a shooting position and hesitate for an extra second while skating/coasting. A lot of the time the D will unconsciously commit to the shot and the hesitation means that you'll move a bit off the lane they froze in, giving you the shot. That or drop the shoulder/snap the wrists a bit and actually sell the fake.
Just did that last night (to the goalie) when shooting from the top of the circle. He bought the fake, committed to short side, and I sniped the far corner.
