Chapter #6 - Shooting and Scoring
Here's a summary of this chapter....
Scoring a goal is the ultimate offensive play and the objective of almost every player. No
game can be won unless your team puts the puck into the net more times than your opponent.
Any roller hockey player can develop effective goal scoring skills by practicing drills
designed to develop specific shooting and scoring principles. To recognize an opportunity
is one thing, but to consistently capitalize on those opportunities takes effective
practice, and plenty of it!
Shooting and Scoring Technique
An effective shooting and scoring technique is the main ingredient for scoring goals.
Effective shooting and scoring consists of the following:
- Shooting Accuracy. Just as accuracy is a vital fundamental of baseball,
basketball, football, and soccer, so it is with roller hockey. A shot executed with a
quick release and good speed is worthless unless it is directed at the net. The puck must
be on target to have any chance of scoring. But great scorers do more than just shoot the
puck in the direction of the goal. Great shooters pick their spots. They aim at the holes
the goaltender leaves open while positioned in the crease. Normally, these five locations
are the top right and left corners, bottom right and left corners, and occasionally
between the legs (also known as the five hole). By practicing and using the right
techniques at the rink, on a tennis court, basketball court, or driveway, you are
guaranteed to improve your consistency and overall shot placement.
- Positioning. Positioning refers to a players location with respect to the
goaltender and net when a shot is released. Most goals are scored from between 5 to 25
feet out, and directly in front of the net; with the majority of those goals coming from
between 10 to 15 feet out.
Another way to improve your
goal scoring stature and that of your team is to get into a high percentage scoring
position before you shoot. If you are not able to get into a good position, look around
for a teammate who may be open in such a position. If you cannot see anyone, and cannot
maneuver into position, shoot low at the goaltenders feet, and go in for the rebound. The
figure shows position and percentage information of typical goal scoring locations. The
numbers represent the percentage of goals scored by location on the playing surface.
Approximately sixty percent of goals are scored from the middle slot, 30% (15% on each
side) of goals are scored from the area of the face-off circles, and 10% (5% on each side)
of goals are scored from the extreme angles between the lower portion of the face-off
circle and the goal line.
- Quick Release. Players who possess a quick release can regularly catch the
goaltender off-guard. There are two methods to release the puck quickly. The first method
is the one-time, where the goaltender rarely has a chance to face the shooter and prepare
himself for the shot. This is frequently the case when the puck comes from behind the net
or across the slot and the goaltender has to face the shooter already in action. The
second method is when the goaltender is clearly focusing on the puck carrier but is
tricked by an unexpected shot. The shooter didn't telegraph (give away the intention to
shoot) the shot. The shot was hidden or camouflaged among his skating and stickhandling
action.
- Speed of the puck. Goaltenders are often beaten by the velocity of the puck
simply because of the human limits to reaction time. A well placed shot, released from a
high percentage scoring area, with adequate speed, is almost impossible to stop. Emphasis
should be placed on the development of as much speed as possible during practices, because
the faster the puck goes, the less time the goaltender has to react. As the roller hockey
player progresses through the various levels of play, from beginner to advanced, it is
quickness rather than strictly pinpoint accuracy that equates to the most success for
shooters. Speed of a shot depends on the strength of the execution of the shooting
movement. Many excellent shooters with fast shots do not have massive upper bodies but
their shooting movement, like the swing of a golfer, is coordinated and smooth.
- Type of shot. The type of shot to use during a scoring opportunity has a great
deal to do with creating the element of surprise, noting the position of the goaltender at
the time the puck carrier is about to shoot, and how far you are in front of the net.