Scoring a goal is one of the most thrilling moments in hockey. Games are often low scoring, so any time a team scores a goal it is worthy of celebrating. Great scorers have an instinct for knowing where the opening will be, even if there is no opening when they first receive the puck. The top scorers often are able to pick a spot to fire the puck or the ability to blast it past the goalie.
Step 1
Work hard on your skating. Great scorers are often top skaters because they have speed, acceleration, balance and the ability to avoid contact. Players who skate better than their opponents can find the openings on the ice and move to the prime scoring areas. They can take a hit but remain balanced to make the play. A player who has effective skating ability will have confidence that he can make a big play at the time his team needs him most.
Step 2
Practice your slap shot, wrist shot, snap shot and backhander. A top scorer will use all these shots to put the puck on net and score goals. Your wrist shot may be your bread-and-butter shot, while another player may favor the slap shot. However, you have to develop all of them to give yourself the best chance to put the puck in the net.
Step 3
Approach each scoring opportunity with patience. Many players will shoot the puck as soon as they receive it when they are in the offensive zone because they fear that a defensive player might take the puck away from them and they will lose their scoring opportunity. Top scorers learn how to wait until the last possible moment to take advantage of their opportunity. A player who skates in on a goalie on a breakaway may wait for the goaltender to make a move before shooting. For example, the goalie may skate away from his crease to cut down on the shooter's angle. A scorer will recognize this, cut hard to the right or left and shoot the puck into a gaping net.
Step 4
Drive hard to the net when your team has the puck in the offensive zone. Many goalies will not get beaten on the initial shot when your team has the puck in the offensive zone. However, he may give up a rebound or you may be able to deflect the puck so it changes direction and goes into the net before a goalie can react. Much of the scoring is done from an area within 10 feet of the net. You will probably take big hits from the defense as you try to establish your position in that area, but if you can hold your ground you will get scoring opportunities.
Tips and Warnings
- Place targets in the four corners of the net and try to hit them with your shot when practicing. This will help build accuracy in your shooting.
- Don't ignore defense to gain scoring opportunities. This will get you in trouble with your coach, who wants you to play defense as well as offense.
Things You'll Need
- Hockey stick
- Hockey puck
- Hockey skates
- Hockey net
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