SEE THE CHANCE. TAKE THE SHOT.™ Shoot When you have a useful scoring chance instead of automatically passing it away. Coach Jane™ teaches girls to recognize a shooting lane and make the Goalie deal with the puck.
Shoot When the Chance Is There
Shoot When the lane and timing make the attempt worthwhile. Meanwhile, keep reading teammates and pressure so the decision is confident rather than automatic.
Coach Jane™ 10-Second Hockey Lesson™
Presenter script: “Hi, Coach Jane here. If you have a good shooting lane and a real chance to score, use it. Make the Goalie save it. See the chance. Take the shot.”
Do Not Pass Away Every Opportunity
Some Players become so focused on making the perfect pass that they delay a useful shot. Practice identifying open shooting lanes and making a confident decision before the window closes.
This does not mean shooting from everywhere. The Player still reads pressure, support, angle, and traffic. The lesson is to recognize when the shot is already the strong option.
Coach Jane™ by Age
U5–U7 • U8–U10 • U11–U14 • U15–U18 • Junior
U5–U7 + U8–U10 — Put the Puck on Net
When you are close enough and have a clear chance, shoot toward the net instead of waiting for a perfect play.
WHAT DID YOU LEARN?
What should you do with a clear scoring chance?
U11–U14 — Recognize the Shooting Lane
Look at the route from your puck to the net. If the lane is useful and pressure is arriving, make the decision decisively.
WHAT DID YOU LEARN?
What matters before you shoot?
U15–U18 + Junior — Decide Before the Window Closes
Higher-level defenders and Goalies reduce time quickly. Recognize the opportunity early and release the puck with purpose.
WHAT DID YOU LEARN?
Why does early recognition matter?
5 Smart Reasons to Shoot When You Have the Chance
Shoot When the lane, timing, and scoring opportunity make the attempt worthwhile. Players can miss good chances by automatically looking for one more pass when the better decision is already available.
1. Recognize a Useful Shooting Lane
A shot does not need to come from the perfect spot. If the puck can reach the net through a useful lane, the Goalie must deal with it.
2. Do Not Pass Away Every Opportunity
Passing is valuable, but so is recognizing when the puck is already in a good scoring position. Shoot When the chance is better than the pass.
3. Make the Goalie Save It
Shots that reach the net can create rebounds, deflections, and loose pucks even when they do not score immediately.
4. Keep the Decision Fast
Extra hesitation gives defenders and Goalies time to recover. Read the lane early so the decision to shoot can happen before the opportunity closes.
5. Learn From the Situation
Not every open look should become a shot. Players should continue learning how score, time, pressure, shooting ability, and teammate position affect the decision.
Practice Better Shooting Decisions
Use small-area games where Players must choose between shooting and passing under pressure. Ask them afterward what they saw and why they made the decision rather than rewarding only goals.
Continue with Shoot in Stride and Stop at the Net for Rebounds. For more player-development resources, visit USA Hockey training materials.
Coach Jane’s Takeaway
A good pass creates opportunity. A good shot uses opportunity.
SEE THE CHANCE. TAKE THE SHOT.™
Keep Learning With Coach Jane
Take this lesson to your next practice, then continue with Shoot in Stride and Stop at the Net for Rebounds.
ONE LESSON. ONE INSTRUCTION. ONE TAKEAWAY.™
Part of Coach Jane™ 10-Second Hockey Lessons™. Presented by The Hockey Resource™.
