|
|
|
 |
MAXIMIZING "POINT SHOTS" EFFECTIVENESS
MAXIMIZING "POINT SHOTS" EFFECTIVENESS "Point Shots" are shots taken from the blueline, generally by Defencemen. They are taken during even up play, PowerPlay opportunities and in shorthanded situations.
In today's NHL, the "point shot" can be a great weapon in scoring big goals or it can contribute to the demise of team's chance to win! (When blocked for breakaways!) How does a Team maximize the effectiveness of these point shots so that the greatest percentage of goals can be scored per total number of point shots taken during a game?
During my years in the NHL one of the greatest and most effective "point shot" shooters was former Calgary Flame, Al MacInnis. During his incredible NHL career he recorded 340 goals, 934 assists for a total of 1,274 points. Al MacInnis was really one of the first defencemen, who started to "test out" and effectively utilize different types of point shots, instead of just "burying his head" and drilling it at the center of the goal.
I am a firm believer that simply "putting the puck on the net" point shots, which is preached by many coaches today, is simply not good enough to accomplish maximum efficiency in point shooting.
KEY POINTS TO MAXIMIZING POINT SHOTS EFFECTIVENESS:
To maximize point shots there are the following points to consider by the defenceman and the forwards:
- DMan: What is the best area of the net to aim at? Center or at the goal posts?
- DMan: Is the goalie screened or am I wasting this shot on goal? Forward: Am I willing to pay the price to screen the goalie?
- DMan: Am I shooting with a focus for a deflection and getting an assist?
- DMan: Am I shooting with a focus to score a goal?
WHAT IS THE AREA OF THE NET THAT I AM AIMING AT?
My mentoring is to aim the "point shots" at the goal posts or just outside the goalposts.
- This allows a screening forward to tip the puck in towards the goalie, especially towards the "5 hole", where the highest percentage of deflection type goals beat the goalie and are scored. (Also, it forces the goalie to move and be off balanced and this opens up holes in his goalie stance i.e. "5 hole.")
- If the puck is shot at the goalie the player in front is deflecting the puck away from the net, many times into the corners, instead of toward the net, especially the "5 hole" and for rebounds. (Also, this allows the goalie to maintain a balanced stance)
IS THE GOALIE SCREENED OR AM I WASTING THIS SHOT ON GOAL?
- A great, importantand somewhat obvious rule for the forward's to have is that whenever the puck goes to the DMan and it appears that there is a possibility for a "point shot", is that the closest forward needs to get directly in front of the goalie and cause a screen. Standing off to the side with no player screening is really a "high percentage" wasting of this point shot and not maximizing the scoring opportunity. (it takes courage to do this and cause the screen)
- Ryan Smyth, of the Edmonton Oilers, is one of the best "screeners of goalies" in the NHL today. He is prepared to "pay whatever the price" to maximize the Oiler's point shots.
- STABILITY: It is really important for the forward to go with a strong 3 point stance, with his knees bent and the stick on the ice and directly in front of him so that he can "cup" his stick to either his right or left and deflect the puck towards the middle of the net and be prepared to score on a rebound. If his stick is in the air and at the side he does not have a strong "3 point" foundation to maintain good balance and absorb interference/crosschecks from DMan.
AM I SHOOTING TO FOR A DEFLECTION OR FOR A GOAL?
To maximize point shot effectiveness I mentor DMen that there are three targets to aim for:
- If the DMan is looking for a deflection and the assist on the goal, then shoot the puck on the ice and at the goal posts. This is the easiest place for a forward to deflect the puck inward and get a rebound off the deflection.
- If the DMan is looking to score then he can shoot either.
- 1.5 feet off the ice on the blocker side, just over the pad.
- 2 inches under the crossbar on the glove hand side, aiming at the goalies shoulder and not the glove.
|
|
|
|
