How to Increase Scoring Opportunities in Ice Hockey

Many hockey players love to score goals, but it doesn't happen as often as they would like. To increase your chances of scoring you need to shoot often, shoot accurately, and shoot fast. There are many ideas that will help you score, such as setting up a screen in front of the goalie or dropping a pass as you come in to catch the goalie off guard. Ideally, you want to catch the goalie off guard, or be in a spot where you can easily tip in a rebound.

Instructions

    • 1

      Focus on the empty sections of net around the goalie, but don't focus on the goalie himself. Focusing on the goalie will cause you to aim directly for the goalie, sending the puck into his pads. To score a goal, you need to aim for the empty space around the goalie. Play toward his weak spot. If you are playing against a goalie who drops early, shoot high. If your goalie doesn't drop, but rather relies on his stick or gloves to make the save, shoot to the low corners.

    • 2

      Go after the rebounds. More goals are scored on the rebound than off the initial shot, so it pays to crash the net if you are the second man into the zone, or to follow your shot if you are the initial shooter. Keep your eyes focused on the puck and get your stick on it to capitalize on rebounds.

    • 3

      Shoot on the net. Rebounds are much harder to capture and turn into goals if they are not directly out front of the goalie to begin with. Therefore, it's important to take an accurate shot and hit the net, posts, or goalie, in order to get a better rebound.

    • 4

      Follow your shot. Always skate toward where you shoot the puck. This will automatically drive you toward the net and allow you to pursue rebounds.

    • 5

      Be prepared and keep your feet moving. The more stationary you are, the less prepared you are to catch a pass or rebound. You need to know where the puck is at all times so you can improve your chance of getting a rebound or tip in and catch the goalie off guard.