LOOK FIRST. RECEIVE READY.™ A Shoulder Check gives a Player information before the puck arrives. Coach Joey™ teaches Players to scan early so the first touch can lead directly into the next play.
COACH JOEY™ BY AGE
U5-U7 • U8-U10 • U11-U14 • U15-U18 • Junior
U5-U7 + U8-U10 — Look Before the Puck Arrives
Take a quick look around before the pass reaches you. Find a teammate, open ice, or pressure.
WHAT DID YOU LEARN?
Why should you look around before the puck arrives?
U11-U14 — Scan for the Next Decision
Check over your shoulder before receiving. Then turn your eyes back to the puck. Use what you saw to decide whether to pass, skate, protect, or move the puck quickly.
WHAT DID YOU LEARN?
What should a shoulder check help you decide?
U15-U18 + Junior — Scan, Update, Act
Pre-scan early and scan again when the play changes. At higher speeds, pressure and passing lanes can disappear quickly, so keep updating the picture.
WHAT DID YOU LEARN?
Why might an older Player scan more than once?
Why Scanning Matters
Hockey decisions happen quickly. If your first look begins only after the puck reaches your stick, pressure may already be on top of you. However, a quick pre-scan gives you useful information before you receive.
Keep the Check Quick
A shoulder check is not a long stare away from the puck. Glance, gather information, then return your eyes to the play. The goal is awareness without losing control of what is happening in front of you.
Use What You See
If pressure is tight, protect or move the puck quickly. If space is open, attack it. If a teammate is available, be ready to pass. Information matters only when it changes your decision.
5 Smart Ways to Shoulder Check in Hockey
A Shoulder Check helps a Player answer important questions before receiving: Where is the pressure? Where is the support? How much time do I have? That information can make the first touch far more useful.
1. Scan Before the Pass Is Made
Do not wait until the puck is already on the way. Look early enough to identify pressure and open space before your attention returns to the pass.
2. Check Both Pressure and Support
A quick look should not focus only on the nearest defender. Find teammates too, because the next play may be a pass rather than a carry.
3. Receive the Puck Into the Safer Space
The Shoulder Check should change what you do. If pressure is coming from one side, receive or move the puck toward the safer side when possible.
4. Keep the Scan Brief
Do not stare behind you. Use a quick look, return your eyes to the puck, and update the picture again if the play gives you time.
5. Turn Information Into a Faster Decision
The value of scanning is not the look itself. The goal is to know your next option sooner so you can pass, protect, skate, or shoot before pressure arrives.
Practice Shoulder Checks Before Receiving
Have a Coach or teammate give a visual or verbal cue behind the receiver before the pass. The Player must shoulder check, identify the cue, then receive and make the next play. Add pressure gradually as the habit becomes automatic.
Continue with Get Open, Make a Target and Reset After a Mistake. For more player-development resources, visit USA Hockey training materials.
Coach Joey’s Takeaway
See the play before the puck reaches you. LOOK FIRST. RECEIVE READY.™
Coach Joey™ 10-Second Hockey Lesson™
LOOK FIRST. RECEIVE READY.™
ONE LESSON. ONE INSTRUCTION. ONE TAKEAWAY.™
Part of Coach Joey™ 10-Second Hockey Lessons™. Presented by The Hockey Resource™.