Most people have heard of hockey, and many may have played the game themselves. But did you know that there is more than one kind of hockey? Different countries play different hockey games, and some even have their own distinct rules and sets of equipment. For example, the Swedish Hockey League uses a hybrid icing system that incorporates both the shooting motion and the passing motion of the sport. The difference in rules and the way the game is played can make it challenging to determine how to improve your game without seeing results right away. To make matters more complicated, some people have suggested that different playing styles can actually be good for your shooting, so it’s important to understand the theory as well as the practical application.
Table of Contents
Theories And Applications
Over the years, various theorists and practical shooters have weighed in on the subject of hockey shot accuracy, suggesting certain methods and equipment that can increase your percentage. One of the most well-known sports psychologists, Dr. Robert Cooper, says that there is more than one key to unlocking your hockey shooting potential, and he lays out his theory in his book, The Advantage: Why Hockey Is the Best Game.
According to Cooper, your accuracy is not fixed at the genetic level but is, instead, a product of your environment and your mental strategy. He says that there are four main factors that he feels have the most impact on your shooting percentage:
- The stance
- The grip
- The release
- The follow-through
Each of these factors has the potential to affect your shot in a positive or negative way, depending on how you utilize them. For example, if you maintain an aggressive shooting position with a tight grip, you can improve your accuracy by taking some time off after each shot to restore your hand-eye coordination.
The Stance
Much like a golfer or a baseball player, you will spend the majority of your time on the ice in a relatively static position, standing still while shooting the puck. Your stance can have a significant impact on your shooting. A proper stance can improve your rotation, balance, and weight distribution while shooting, leading to more accurate throws. Below, you can learn more about the proper way to stand while shooting.
The Grip
Your grip is perhaps the most crucial part of your shot. Tightening your grip can help you improve your shot, but too many fingers inside the puck can actually decrease your accuracy. The proper way to grip the puck is with your palms facing each other and your fingers curved around the surface, like the shell of a hard-boiled egg. This is a safe and natural way to grip the ball, and it allows for quick and accurate throwing. Throwing with a loose grip can also increase your accuracy, as can alternating your hands on the puck, but too many fingers in the air will decrease it.
The Release
In hockey, the release is when you take your arm out from under the puck. The key to a clean and accurate release is to first plant your feet firmly behind you and then push off with your legs, rotating your body as you go. This will naturally lead to balanced throwing with minimal effort. If you keep your arm under the puck until the very end of the throw, it can actually decrease your accuracy. You can also practice your release with a push-up or by dropping a puck onto a hard surface from a height. You should always try to keep your arm steady as you release the puck, as too much movement in the release can lead to increased wear and tear on your arm, as well as potentially decreased accuracy.
The Follow-Through
After you release the puck, it needs to go in the right direction. That direction is called the follow-through, and it is determined by your shoulders. If you throw with your shoulders over your hands, your shot will naturally go right, but if you under-hit the puck, your target will be to the left. When you follow-through with the puck in hand, your balance is naturally going to be off and you will need to adjust your shot accordingly. You can practice your follow-through with plyometrics, bouncing a ball or a puck off a hard surface or with a weighted ball attached to your wrist. By doing this, you can increase your rotation speed, leading to more accurate throws. When you bring the ball or puck up over your head, your balance will naturally be off and you will need to adjust your shot accordingly. This brings us to our next point…
Shoot From A Different Perspective
Because of the various ways in which hockey is played around the world, with different equipment and rules, it is important to approach the sport from a different perspective in order to determine how to improve your shot. It is a good idea to seek advice from people who have played the game professionally or academically, either in Europe or in North America. Even if you do not intend to play professionally, reading the advice of experienced shooters can still help you figure out the best way to approach the game and maximize your potential.
According to Cooper, there are four stances that are worth considering:
- The western style
- The butterfly style
- The overhand style
- The underhand style
Each of these stances can bring different advantages and challenges to your shooting. For example, the butterfly position can significantly increase your speed and rotation, but it can also make you more vulnerable to hits and shots on the blocker side. The overhand position can help with your accuracy and balance, but it requires a lot of space to set up in.
The Different Styles Of Hockey
The four styles of hockey are described below. Each one has its perks and its drawbacks, making it essential to find the one that suits you best. Keep in mind that every style requires a different stance, grip, and release, leading to a different look and feel for your shot. As always, practice makes perfect, and you will soon find that the more you practice, the better you will become at hitting the target you are shooting at. It is worth noting that some people have suggested that each style can be advantageous in certain situations, and it is important to find the one that is going to best suit you, depending on the situation at hand.
Butterfly Style
Butterfly style is named after the way that the Czechoslovakian Hockey Team flies around the ice with their wings extended, similar to a butterfly. The name “Butterfly” also refers to their defensive style, because they tend to swarm around the opposing net, covering it with their bodies. This is a perfect style for quick and agile players who either love to run around or want to prevent the other team from running around with the puck. This style is all about speed and rotational movement, with the defensemen using their quickness to quickly change shots and positions while also protecting the puck with their body. Many hockey players consider this to be the most difficult style to learn, master, and use effectively.
Your speed, your mobility, and your body position are all important factors in this style. One of the best things you can do for yourself is to work on your pivots, which are the rotational movements you make to change your body position. These are extremely important, because your goal is to get in the right position to stop the puck in the first place. Your mobility is also important, as you need to be able to move quickly and with ease around the ice.
However, the biggest drawback to the butterfly style is that it requires a lot of space. If you do not have the room for a baseball diamond or a football field, then this style is not for you. You also need to be careful not to twist your ankle while pivoting, as that can be extremely difficult to recover from.
Butterfly Style (Continued)
The best thing about the butterfly style is that it allows for some incredible quick and agile movements, making it perfect for those who are particularly talented at it. The style also requires lots of space, so if you do not have the room for a standard hockey rink, then this is not the style for you either. You can also use the ballroom or the garage for practice, as they have the same dimensions as a hockey rink.