Today, while watching my son on the ice, I saw a common problem with many hockey players, young and old. My son took a shot towards the net but instead of stopping at the net, he skated right past it. This simple mistake could be the difference between scoring and not scoring, and as such is a key component of good hockey performance. Learning to stop at the net is an essential habit for hockey players to develop, and this blog post will discuss why and how to develop this habit for improved performance.
The Issue: Players Not Stopping at the Net
One common issue that I have observed in hockey players, both young and old, is the failure to stop at the net after taking a shot. It seems like a simple thing, but it can make a world of difference in the outcome of a game.
When a player takes a shot on goal, it is crucial to stop at the net to increase the chances of scoring. By stopping at the net, the player is in a prime position to retrieve any rebounds or deflections that may occur. This allows for second and even third chances to put the puck in the back of the net.
Moreover, stopping at the net puts pressure on the opposing team’s goalie. It forces the goalie to make a save and can create chaos in the defensive zone. This is especially important when the goalie is unable to control the rebound, as it opens up scoring opportunities for teammates who are crashing the net.
Not stopping at the net also hampers a player’s ability to read the play and make intelligent decisions. When a player skates past the net, they are essentially cutting off any potential passing options or scoring opportunities that may have arisen. This limits the team’s offensive capabilities and decreases their chances of scoring goals.
Why Stopping at the Net is Important
Stopping at the net is not just a minor detail in hockey; it is a crucial aspect of the game that can make or break a player’s chances of scoring. By stopping at the net after taking a shot, players increase their chances of retrieving rebounds or deflections that may occur. This means they have second and even third opportunities to put the puck in the back of the net, increasing their scoring potential.
Furthermore, stopping at the net puts pressure on the opposing team’s goalie. When a player stops at the net, they force the goalie to make a save and potentially create chaos in the defensive zone. This becomes especially important when the goalie is unable to control the rebound, as it opens up scoring opportunities for teammates who are crashing the net.
Not stopping at the net also limits a player’s ability to read the play and make intelligent decisions. By skating past the net, players are cutting off potential passing options or scoring opportunities that may have arisen. This severely hampers the team’s offensive capabilities and decreases their chances of scoring goals.
How to Teach Young Players to Stop at the Net
Teaching young players to stop at the net is an essential part of developing their hockey skills. By instilling this habit early on, players can greatly improve their scoring potential and overall game performance. Here are some tips and strategies for effectively teaching young players to stop at the net:
1. Emphasize the importance: Start by explaining to young players why stopping at the net is crucial. Help them understand that by stopping, they increase their chances of scoring goals and retrieving rebounds. Make it clear that stopping at the net puts pressure on the opposing team’s goalie and opens up scoring opportunities for teammates.
2. Demonstrate the correct technique: Show young players how to stop at the net properly. Break down the process into steps and explain each one clearly. Emphasize the need to keep their eyes on the net, stay low and balanced, and use quick stops to maintain control.
3. Practice shooting and stopping drills: Incorporate drills into practice sessions that focus on shooting and stopping at the net. Set up scenarios where players need to take a shot and then immediately stop at the net to retrieve rebounds or deflections. This will help them develop muscle memory and reinforce the habit.
4. Provide feedback and encouragement: As players practice stopping at the net, provide feedback on their technique and offer encouragement. Positive reinforcement goes a long way in motivating young players to continue improving. Correct any mistakes and praise their efforts when they execute the technique correctly.
5. Incorporate game-like situations: During scrimmages and games, create situations where players have the opportunity to stop at the net. Encourage them to put what they’ve learned into practice and reinforce the habit. Provide constructive feedback after the game to further reinforce the importance of stopping at the net.
Common Challenges and Solutions
Common Challenges and Solutions
While teaching young players to stop at the net is essential, it’s important to acknowledge that they may face some challenges in developing this habit. Here are a few common challenges and some solutions to help players overcome them:
1. Lack of awareness: One challenge that players may encounter is a lack of awareness. They may be so focused on shooting that they forget to stop at the net. To address this, coaches can emphasize the importance of stopping and encourage players to constantly be aware of their positioning on the ice.
2. Momentum and balance: Stopping abruptly can be difficult, especially when players are moving at high speeds. Maintaining balance and control while stopping can be a challenge for young players. Coaches can help players overcome this by teaching proper stopping techniques and incorporating specific drills that focus on stopping at the net.
3. Fear of collisions: Some players may be hesitant to stop at the net due to fear of collisions with other players or the goalie. It’s important to address this fear by teaching players how to navigate around the net safely and reinforcing the importance of stopping to increase scoring opportunities.
4. Lack of confidence: Young players may lack confidence in their abilities to stop at the net effectively. To build their confidence, coaches can provide positive feedback and encouragement, highlighting the improvements they make each practice or game.
5. Breaking bad habits: If players have developed a habit of skating past the net, breaking this habit can be challenging. Coaches should consistently reinforce the importance of stopping at the net, providing corrective feedback and reminding players of the benefits it brings to their game.
By addressing these common challenges and providing effective solutions, coaches can help young players develop the habit of stopping at the net and ultimately improve their overall hockey performance.
Reinforcing Good Habits in Practice and Games
Once young players have learned the importance of stopping at the net, it is crucial to consistently reinforce this habit in practice and games. Reinforcing good habits is essential for long-term skill development and overall improvement. Here are some strategies for effectively reinforcing the habit of stopping at the net:
1. Consistency is key: Make stopping at the net a non-negotiable aspect of practice and game play. Set clear expectations and consistently reinforce them. Encourage players to take pride in their ability to stop at the net and emphasize the positive impact it can have on their performance.
2. Incorporate specific drills: Create drills that specifically focus on stopping at the net. For example, set up shooting drills where players must shoot on goal and immediately stop at the net to retrieve rebounds. By incorporating these drills regularly, players will develop muscle memory and reinforce the habit of stopping at the net.
3. Provide constructive feedback: During practice and games, provide constructive feedback to players on their stopping technique. Highlight when they successfully stop at the net and acknowledge their efforts. If players struggle with stopping, offer suggestions for improvement and provide them with opportunities to practice and refine their technique.
4. Celebrate successes: Celebrate players who consistently stop at the net during games and practices. Recognize their effort and highlight the positive impact it has on the team’s performance. This positive reinforcement will motivate players to continue developing this habit and reinforce the importance of stopping at the net.
5. Lead by example: Coaches and older players should lead by example and consistently demonstrate proper stopping technique at the net. When younger players see their role models stopping at the net, they are more likely to emulate this behavior and strive to develop the same habit.
By consistently reinforcing the habit of stopping at the net, players will internalize this skill and it will become second nature to them. With time and practice, stopping at the net will become ingrained in their gameplay, leading to improved performance and increased scoring opportunities.