Drills to Train for Shooting Accuracy

Practicing your shot can get a bit old if you are shooting on a regular basis, so I made a video showing a few drills that will make shooting a bit more fun. These drills are meant to test your accuracy, and also give you a goal to try to beat. I have embedded the video below, and underneath the video I have summed up the drills and also have a link to a shot log that you can download and use.

Drills to Improve your Shooting Accuracy

Download – Download the shot log sheet to keep track of your best times and best accuracy for each day

Video Summary

• Around the World Drill ( perfect)
• The goal of this drill is to hit all four targets in four shots. If you miss one you need to start over until you go 4 for 4
• Around the World
• With this drill you see how many shots it takes you to hit all for targets, say it takes you 7 shots. Now that is your milestone and you goal is to hit all 4 targets in less shots.
• Around the World (multiple)
• With this drill you can hit each target 3 times, or 4, times or 5 times etc, or go “around the world” multiple times. See how many shots it hit all four targets 5 times, or see if you can go 8 for 8, or 12 for 12!
• Time Trial
• With the time trial you time how long it takes you to hit all four targets, then try to beat your time. You can use a time trial for any accuracy drill
• Rocket Drill
• Pick a target and try to hit it 10 times, shooting as HARD as you can

Improve your Shooting Accuracy

Here are some old videos I did with tips to improve your Shooting Accuracy
Shooting for the top corners

Tips for shooting low

Improve your slapshot accuracy

You can read more about improving your accuracy in my article on how to improve accuracy in hockey or how to improve slapshot accuracy

If you want an Ez Goal check out my EZ goal review

Bernie Parent: Unmasked

Philadelphia fans will definitely be interested in Unmasked: Bernie Parent and the Broad Street Bullies

Buy The Book: Amazon.ca – Chapters – Amazon.com

In a city known as home to some of the sporting world’s biggest stars, few have ever shined as brightly as the Philadelphia Flyers’ Bernie Parent, and this autobiography shares how he became one of the most sensational goalies in NHL history.

The catchphrase “Only the Lord saves more than Bernie Parent” became ubiquitous in Philadelphia as Parent won two Vezina Trophies as the league’s top goaltender, two Conn Smythe Trophies as playoff MVP, and two Stanley Cup championships, but this work shows how his on-the-ice exploits were only a part of his amazing story.

After suffering a career-ending eye injury in 1979, Parent’s life took a turn for the worse, a time during which he battled alcoholism and watched his marriage end in divorce. In the end, however, facing the fears that had plagued him all his life led Parent to find solace and happiness once again.

In Unmasked, Parent traces his life and career from his days as a youngster learning to skate to his current role as a Flyers ambassador and public speaker.

Featuring rare photos from his personal archive and accompanying text from legendary Philadelphia sports columnist Stan Hochman, this life story gives Parent’s millions of fans a never-before-seen glimpse into the life of a hockey icon.

Hockey Hall of Fame: Book of Jerseys

Hockey Hall of Fame Book of Jerseys is a celebration of the Hockey Hall of Fame’s collection of the best jerseys and sweaters worn by the premier players of the game.


Buy The Book: Amazon.ca – Chapters – Amazon.com

• Ray Bourque: 2001 Colorado Avalanche Stanley Cup
• Mario Lemieux: 1987 Canada Cup
• Frank Nighbor: 1921 Ottawa Senators Stanley Cup
• Mark Messier: 1990 Edmonton Oilers Stanley Cup
• Valeri Kharlamov: 1980s CSKA Red Army
• Doug Gilmour: 1993 Toronto Maple Leafs
• Busher Jackson: 1940 New York Americans
• Clint Benedict: 1931 Windsor Bulldogs
• Bobby Hull: 1969 Chicago Black Hawks.

Coach: The Pat Burns Story

Pat Burns was one of the great NHL coaches. He worked with the Montreal Canadiens, Toronto Maple Leafs, Boston Bruins and New Jersey Devils, and seemed always to enjoy instant success. He capped his extraordinary career by coaching the New Jersey Devils to a Stanley Cup victory in 2003. Cancer–his third bout–finally claimed him in 2010, aged 58.

Rosie DiManno, who knew Burns well, has written a revealing, exhilarating and heartfelt account of his life: his childhood as a fatherless, solitary male surrounded by many women, his years as a police officer, his glorious coaching career and his long and characteristically valiant ending.

Coach: The Pat Burns Story is both the first major biography of Burns and one that, with its revelations, personal insights and riveting prose, is–like the man himself–sure to be both controversial and hard to beat. Rosie DiManno knew, liked and admired Burns, and in the writing of this book has interviewed many, many people from every stage of his life. She is not blind to his less endearing qualities, but seeks to explain them.

DiManno reveals a man of contradictions–gruff and crude, bullying and sentimental, and easily wounded. She shows, moreover, a man of hockey. The Burns who rode motorcycles, dressed like a cowboy, and sweet-talked the ladies was, says DiManno, a self-creation. His one indisputable, true talent was for coaching hockey. He was a pure coach.

DiManno tells a compelling story and helps us to understand a complex man, one who gave little of himself to the public and yet whose funeral was a spectacle. How did that happen? Who was Pat Burns? Rosie DiManno, who witnessed much of the story, has the answers.

Buy The Book – Amazon.ca – Chapters – Amazon.com

Wearing The C by Ross Bernstein

Wearing the “C” insignia on the uniform-a badge of honor reserved for team captains-is professional hockey’s highest honor, and this study discusses how many of the NHL’s all-time greatest players were captains.

The exciting new book – Wearing the “C”: Leadership Secrets from Hockey’s Greatest Captains – an entertaining and enlightening blend of hockey stories and leadership lessons-reveals the secrets of hockey’s greatest captains by asking questions such as:

• What does it take to lead a team to championship? 
• What are the keys to overcoming unexpected adversity? 
• How does a captain manage strong egos from diverse backgrounds into a unified, focused team? 

To get the inside story, author Ross Bernstein interviewed more than 100 of the all-time greatest captains, assistant captains, and head coaches, including Wayne Gretzky, Scotty Bowman, Phil Esposito, and Joe Sakic.

An ideal book for any hockey fan, this work recounts some of the greatest moments in NHL history.

Buy The Book – Amazon.ca – Chapters – Amazon.com

J.R. Jeremy Roenick’s Autobiography

Jeremy Roenick, one of the premier hockey players of his generation and one of the greatest American stars the NHL has ever known, shares his life story in this frank and unflinching autobiography – J.R.

 Buy The Book – Amazon.ca – Chapters – Amazon.com

After making his debut as an 18-year-old with the Chicago Blackhawks, Roenick thrilled fans with his flashy style, take-no-prisoners approach, and jaw-dropping skills. A native of Boston, Roenick went on to play for four more franchises—including the Philadelphia Flyers and Los Angeles Kings—during his incredible 18-season career. By the time he was through, Roenick had racked up 513 goals—the second most of any American-born player—and 703 assists.

Now a tells-it-like-it-is commentator for NBC and the NHL, Roenick takes readers on a behind-the-scenes, warts-and-all tour through his illustrious career, both on and off the ice. Written with Kevin Allen.

Buy The Book – Amazon.ca – Chapters – Amazon.com

Finding "Good Rink" – The key to scoring goals

I often talk to my players about finding ‘Good Rink’.  I’m not talking about find a good place to play or a rink with a good surface.  I’m talking about those areas on the rink where you know pucks are going to end up or a rebound that the goalie kicks out.  This was something that I understood early on as a player and have always stressed to my players.

I grew up watching the Penguins of the 90’s and one play always stood out as one of my favorites of all time.  Game 1 against Chicago.  The game winner that Mario Lemieux scored.  Watch it here…

He scores this goal because he is a smart player.  He played this play through in his head before it ever happened (like good players do).  He knew exactly what was going to happen and found ‘Good Rink’ in order to bury the puck for the game winner.

About a year ago, I had the opportunity to take my players on a behind the scenes tour of the new Console Energy Center in Pittsburgh.  This video plays on one of the many screens downstairs and as my players were watching, one of them yelled ‘Coach, he found good rink!’  It was a proud coaching moment to see the players were actually getting it.

Plays like this define players and moments in the game.  Teach your kids to find ‘Good Rink’.

Checklist needed to track player stats for games…

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Ultimate Goalie Hockey Targeting System

The Ultimate Goalie Fixes Some of the Issues with Other Canvas Targeting Systems

If you’ve been following me over the past couple of years, you probably know I’m a huge believer in developing your snipes both on and off the ice. One of the main tools I’ve recommended and used over the past 20 years has been the Shooter Tutor, which is basically a canvas goalie with holes cut out in the corners and five-hole.

Shooter Tutor Overview:
The Shooter Tutor is a fantastic product, and I’ve used it myself for a number of different reasons:

• It’s light weight, and easy to transport
• It’s durable
• It gives “dead” rebounds, which are more realistic in my opinion
• It’s fun to work with!

Shooter Tutor Design Flaws
As good as the Shooter Tutor has been for me over the past 20 years, there are also a few drawbacks to be aware of:

• The bungees are exposed, and will break if hit by pucks enough times (not a question of “if,” but “when”…)
• It can be a pain to fish the pucks out of the net

Ultimate Goalie vs Shooter Tutor
The Ultimate Goalie has improved on the idea of the Shooter Tutor, correcting some of the “design flaws,” while keeping all of the characteristics that have made the Shooter Tutor a staple in my set of coaching tools.

Here’s a quick run-down on what makes the Ultimate Goalie such a great product:

• NO BUNGEES EXPOSED – the Ultimate Goalie extended the canvas to wrap around the posts, keeping the bungees hidden behind the posts and crossbar
• EASY TO GATHER PUCKS – the pull-string lifts up the bottom foot of the net, and makes for quick and easy puck gathering
• Light-weight and portable – pack it up and bring it to the rink with you… no sweat!
• Durable material
• “Dead (realistic) rebounds”

One Potential Design Flaw:
I love the Ultimate Goalie, but in all fairness, I had to mention one potential design flaw. The pulley cord is a little on the thin side. When I took it out for practice, one of our players caught a skate on it, and sliced through the rope. I tied it all back together, no problem… but a more durable rope would make more sense on this type of product.

Conclusion:
All in all, the Ultimate Goalie is an awesome product, and one that I definitely recommend. I use it myself both on and off the ice, and the bungees haven’t begun to fray at all! And if you’re careful not to skate over the pulley cord, you shouldn’t have any problems whatsoever.

Technorati Tags: Believer, Bungees, Canvas, Coaching Tools, Design Flaw, Design Flaws, Different Reasons, Durable Material, Fairness, Holes, Pulley, Rebounds, Rope, Shooter, Snipes, Staple, Targeting System, Targeting Systems, Thin Side, Tutor

Slovakian 3-Pass and Shot Drill

Slovakian 3-Pass and Shot Drill

Here’s a solid drill from my Slovakian friend Jan Bednar. He sends me awesome drills from time to time, and they’re always exactly my style! This drill has two variations, one ends in a 1 on 0, and the other ends in a 1 on 1. Here’s the diagram:

Slovakian 3-Pass and Shot Drill:

1. Player from low line passes to the first player from the line at center ice.
2. One-touch pass back, then loops around the center circle.
3. Player from low line receives pass, then executes side-step crossovers to the far side of the circle, powerturns out of the crossovers, and hits the other player with a long pass.

Variation: Same set-up as above, except play ends in a 1 on 1 (see diagram #2)

Enjoy!

Technorati Tags: Center Circle, Center Ice, Circle 3, Crossovers, Far Side, Friend Jan, Side Step, Variation, Variations