How to Score More Goals in Ice Hockey

Improving your goal scoring ability can vastly improve your confidence and overall talent level

When a hockey player is behind all the defenders and only the opposing goaltender stands between him and a goal, what he does with the puck on his stick could determine whether his team wins the game or watches the opponent skate off the ice with the victory. But with practice, dedication and ice hockey intelligence, you can increase your scoring chances during a game.

Instructions

1. Place 10 on the ice at a hockey arena and set up a net so it's in its proper place just behind the goal crease, which is the blue area at the end of the arena in an arc shape.

2. Set up the 10 pucks to your right if you shoot right-handed, to your left if you shoot left handed. Shoot all 10
   pucks as quickly as possible into the net. This will work on the quick release of your shot.

3. Place 10 pucks anywhere inside the center ice circle. Take one puck, skate toward the net, look up at where you plan to shoot the puck and release your shot. Skate back to center ice and take the next puck and this time take a different angle toward the net. Continue skating in at different angles until you have completed all 10 shots, making sure to look at the target when you shoot the puck.

4. Skate behind the net, taking 10 pucks with you. Slowly slide one puck toward the front of the net, as fast as you can skate. Skate to where the puck is that you just slid in front of the goal and quickly shoot it into the net. Repeat this nine more times using the remaining nine pucks. This will work on quick reaction.

5. Skate to just inside the blueline, which is the thick blue line that marks the beginning of the attacking zone. Take 20 pucks and set them up in a line parallel to the width of the net. The pucks should be lined up in front of you in a straight vertical line as you face the sideboards at the ice arena. If you are a right-handed shooter, the pucks should be to your right. If you are a left-handed shooter the pucks should be to your left. Raise your stick above your back shoulder and come down, sriking the puck and finishing with the follow through toward the target. This is a slapshot. Continue shooting all the pucks with the slapshot until you have shot all of them.

Tips & Warnings

• The most important thing is to stay committed to what you're trying to accomplish, which is scoring more goals a game. The elite NHL goal scorers did not get to where they are today without countless hours of hard work. Joe Sakic, a two-time Stanley Cup champion, an Olympic gold medallist and former NHL Most Valuable Player would shoot 500 pucks a day when he was young. Always shoot the puck intending to score.

• It is unlikely you will score like Sidney Crosby and Alexander Ovechkin right away. They possess rare natural abilities that have helped turn them into NHL superstars. Do not set the bar too high or you may end up disappointed with the result. Set realistic goals for yourself in your goal-scoring on the ice and try to continuously improve upon them.

References

• Hockeymentors: Shooting in Stride or How to shoot like NHL Great Joe Sakic?

Resources

• Sports Illustrated: Who is the next Joe Sakic?