How to Score on a Breakaway in Ice Hockey

Outside of an empty net, a breakaway is the best chance a player will have to score. Here is how to convert on a breakaway.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Hockey Bags
• Hockey Elbow Pads
• Hockey Gloves
• Hockey Helmets
• Hockey Jerseys
• Hockey Pants
• Hockey Protective Girdles
• Hockey Pucks
• Hockey Shin Guards
• Hockey Shoulder Pads
• Hockey Skates
• Hockey Socks
• Hockey Sticks
• Hockey pucks
• Hockey sticks

Using the Deke

1. Move the puck back and forth on your stick. This makes it harder for the goalie to see the puck clearly.

2. Start to make your move when you get about 10 to 15 feet from the goalie - exactly when depends on your speed.

3. Choose to go to either your backhand or forehand. It doesn't matter which you choose, but you must be decisive. If you choose to go to your backhand, make a sharp cut to your forehand side. Make a sharp cut to the backhand side if you choose to go to your forehand. This is a fake.

4. Outwait the goalie. When he or she moves toward the side, quickly change direction back to the side from which you are going to shoot.

5. Catch the goalie out of position, still moving to the side toward which you faked.

6. Put the puck into the net.

Using the Shot

1. Skate directly toward the goalie.

2. Move the puck back and forth rapidly while you approach the goalie. This way the goalie won't know whether you plan to use the deke or the shot.

3. See whether the goalie is leaving you any open areas to shoot for. There are five basic shooting areas: over the goalie's left or right shoulder to the upper corners of the net, past the goalie's left or right skate to the lower corners of the net, or through the goalie's legs, called the "five hole."

4. Choose the area that you want to shoot at. Find an area that the goalie seems to be leaving open.

5. Make sure that your last touch of the puck comes immediately before the shot, so that you don't tip the goalie off to the fact that you are shooting. The shot works only if the goalie thinks you might deke.

6. Shoot a hard snap shot at one of the holes the goalie has left for you.

Tips & Warnings

• The point of this move is to get the goalie moving the wrong way before putting the puck past him or her and into the net.

• The deke works best on a goalie who has come out of the net to attack you. An attacking goalie is trying to cut down your shooting angle. Faking the goalie will make the goalie move to one side, giving you a better look at the net.

• If the goalie stays back in the net, use the shot (below).

• This works best on a goalie who stays back to protect against the deke. Close to the net, the goalie does not have to move as far to block a shot, but because he or she can't guard the whole net, there will always be an opening for you to shoot at.

• Hockey is a physically demanding sport that could result in serious injury. We recommend that you seek the proper equipment and training before undertaking this activity.