A great shot isn’t just about speed or technique—it’s about knowing where to shoot. The best goal scorers in hockey don’t just rip pucks and hope for the best. They scan the goalie, find an opening, and pick their spot with precision.
Whether you’re on a breakaway, coming down the wing, or teeing one up in the slot, reading the goalie is a crucial skill that can turn chances into goals. This post will help you learn how to shoot hockey pucks like a pro.
Let’s dive in.
1. Watch the Goalie’s Positioning
Before you shoot, take a quick look at where the goalie is in the crease.
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Too deep in the net? Look to go high or use a quick shot to beat them before they react.
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Aggressive and out far? A deke or a quick low shot can catch them overcommitted.
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Sliding across? Aim against the grain—where they just came from—to exploit momentum.
Reading their depth gives you immediate clues about which parts of the net are most vulnerable.
2. Look for the “Holes” (aka Openings)
Goalies aim to cover all 5 “holes.” Your job is to find out which one is open:
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Glove Side High (Top Left on a Right-Handed Goalie) – Harder for goalies to reach quickly, especially if they’re crouched.
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Blocker Side High – Often less protected than the glove side.
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Five-Hole (Between the Legs) – Tempting, but only open for a split second. Best on quick releases or breakaways.
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Short Side (Over Shoulder or Under Arm) – Use this when the goalie hugs the post too tightly or leaves a small gap.
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Far Side Low (Off the Far Pad) – Great for creating rebounds if a clean shot isn’t there.
Quick tip: If you’re unsure where to aim, low blocker or low far pad shots are solid go-to options that often lead to rebounds.
3. Use the Goalie’s Movement Against Them
Goalies can’t cover everything at once, especially when they’re moving. Here’s how to use that to your advantage:
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Lateral Passes: If the goalie is sliding across the crease, aim back where they came from. That’s often the last spot they can cover.
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Delay Slightly: A quick fake shot or hesitation can get the goalie to bite, exposing a corner.
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Shoot in Stride: Catch them mid-adjustment—goalies hate when shooters release the puck while still moving.
Timing your shot just as the goalie is shifting can be the difference between a save and a goal.
4. Know the Goalie’s Tendencies
If you’ve faced the goalie before or watched them in action:
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Do they drop early?
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Do they cheat to one side?
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Do they overreact to fakes?
Use that knowledge. Some goalies are glove-heavy, while others struggle with low shots through traffic. Recognizing patterns can help you pick the right spot under pressure.
5. Keep Your Head Up
This sounds obvious, but it’s worth repeating: keep your head up when you shoot.
It’s easy to get tunnel vision and look down at the puck—especially in high-pressure moments. But when your head is up, you can scan the goalie, the net, and any potential screens.
Train yourself to stickhandle and shoot with your eyes up. It’s a game-changer.
Final Thoughts
Reading the goalie is what separates good shooters from elite scorers. You don’t need to blast every shot—you just need to outthink and outmaneuver the person between the pipes.
So next time you’re bearing down on net, take that extra split-second to read the goalie, trust your instincts, and pick your spot.
Goalies study shooters. Now it’s time for shooters to study goalies.