Pro Tactics

How to Practice Changing Your Shooting Angle

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Auston Matthews may be one of the best in the league at changing the angle before he shoots. Just look at this snipe where he fools the defense and goalie in one motion.

Here’s a great video that explains why changing your shooting angle is so important and how you can practice it at home and on the ice.

Takeaway Skills – Pavel Datysuk

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Pavel Datysuk is the master at taking the puck away from opponents.

He uses three primary methods.

  1. The Canoe Stick Lift. This is a stick lift with a flat, horizontal blade (so it doesn’t get stuck) just under the hands of his victim.
  2. The Blindspot Takeaway. Watch how he gets in the blind spots of his victim and then waits for the moment.
  3. The Stick-to-Puck Poke Check. He suddenly extends his stick, usually with one hand on his stick to extend his reach, and jabs the puck off his opponent.

Most importantly, his feet never stop moving so he can quickly accelerate away after he gets the puck.

How many examples of each can you find in the video?

Textbook “Gagner” Move

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Artem Zub, a defenseman for the Ottawa Senators, scores his first NHL goal with a textbook example of the “Gagner” move.

Fake wrist shot off the inside foot, then fake to the backhand with a finish on the forehand. When you really need to score, it is great to have a go to move.

The Art of the Fake

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Here is a fantastic article on how to add deception to your game. At the core of being deceptive is trying to make your opponent think you are doing one thing but then do another (typically in a different direction).

The Art of the Fake by Rick Traugott

To summarize, here are four simple steps to improving your deception skills:

 1) Work at keeping your head up when you have possession of the puck and when you shoot.

2) Learn to “look off” opponents. An eye fake can be just as effective as a fake pass or shot.

3) Work on tight turns and changing direction. This can begin with no puck and progress to puck handling.

4) Practice faking shots. Sell a shot then do something different. Fake a pass! This can be with a shoulder feint, stick movement, or head fake.

Check out these video examples which are also in the article:

Auston Matthews Goals

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All goals scored by Auston Matthews in the 2016-17 season.

Note how many of his goals come from (a) going to the net, (b) making sure his stick is available for a pass and (c) getting the shot off quickly.

Note how different his goals are compared with Conner McDavid Goals.