Driving to the net is good.
Stopping at the net is better.
Too many young Players skate past the goal after a shot and leave the rebound sitting there for somebody else.
That is today’s Coach Joey™ lesson:
STOP AT THE NET. GET REBOUNDS.
Coach Joey’s 10-Second Lesson
“Hey everyone, Coach Joey here. Don’t skate past the net after a shot. Stop at the net, find the rebound, and be ready for the second chance.”
COACH JOEY™ BY AGE
U5-U7 • U8-U10 • U11-U14 • U15-U18 • Junior
U5-U7 + U8-U10 — Stop at the Net
After a shot, do not automatically skate past the goal. Stop near the net, find the puck, and be ready for a rebound.
WHAT DID YOU LEARN?
What should you do after a shot when a rebound may be there?
U11-U14 — Arrive Under Control
Drive the net under control, stop in a useful scoring area, keep your stick ready, and track where the rebound goes.
WHAT DID YOU LEARN?
Why should you arrive under control at the net?
U15-U18 + Junior — Read the Rebound Space
Choose a route that gets you to useful scoring space without interfering with the Goalie. Read the shot, the Goalie’s position, and where a rebound is likely to appear.
WHAT DID YOU LEARN?
What should an older Player read when arriving at the net?
Simple habit.
Huge scoring opportunity.
Why Stopping at the Net Matters
Many goals are not scored on the first shot.
They come from:
- Rebounds.
- Loose pucks.
- Deflections.
- Scrambles.
- Second and third chances.
A Player who drives the net and then continues skating past it may remove themselves from the best scoring area on the ice.
Stopping at the net keeps the Player involved.
First Shot. Second Chance.
The first shot may be saved.
That does not mean the scoring opportunity is over.
A rebound may land:
In front of the crease.
Beside the Goalie.
Off a pad.
Off a defender.
Players who stop near the net are much more likely to find those loose pucks.
Do Not Fly Past the Play
Young Players often carry speed toward the goal and continue behind the net after the shot.
Sometimes that is the correct play.
But when a rebound is likely, stopping around the scoring area can create another opportunity immediately.
The habit should become:
Drive the net.
Stop.
Find the puck.
Compete for the rebound.
Be Ready for the Rebound
Players should not simply stand beside the net.
They need to remain alert.
Watch the Goalie.
Track the puck.
Keep the stick available.
Be prepared for a rebound to appear quickly.
That connects directly with another Coach Joey™ lesson:
STICK DOWN. BE READY.
A Player who stops at the net with their stick available is in a much better position to finish a second opportunity.
Coaches Can Reinforce the Habit
Coaches can build this into almost any shooting drill.
Do not allow the drill to end after the first shot.
Require Players to:
Shoot.
Stop at the net.
Play the rebound.
This teaches Players that the scoring opportunity continues after the first save.
Coach Joey’s Takeaway
STOP AT THE NET. GET REBOUNDS.
Do not admire the shot.
Do not skate away from the scoring area.
Stop at the net.
Find the loose puck.
Be ready for the second chance.
That is today’s Coach Joey™ 10-Second Hockey Lesson™.
ONE LESSON. ONE INSTRUCTION. ONE TAKEAWAY.™
Presented by The Hockey Resource™
Visit TheHockeyResource.com for more Coach Joey™ lessons, Player development information, Coach Leadership™, Hockey Parent Intelligence™, and practical Hockey answers.
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