Adult League: Score more, suck less

Part 1 - How to score more goals in adult league

Welcome to Part 1 of a three-part mini-series focusing on scoring more goals in your local beer league. Check out the other posts - Part 2 (suck less) & Part 3 (play better defense).

In my area, we have an adult league called “The slacker league”.

The people are awesome. Many of them picked up the game later in life or picked up hockey when their kids started playing. All of them have an amazing passion for hockey. I love it.

Some of these teams pay for a dedicated locker room at the rink. Multiple teams actually hold practice sessions and almost all tailgate the games in some fashion. It’s awesome. Just check out the league championship trophy:

As a rink rat, I get two common questions from these players who want to do well, but lacked and continue to lack coaching. (1) How do I score more goals + (2) How do I suck less (Note: Nobody asks how to play better defense, but we’ll help out there anyway...).

How to score more goals

Pretty obvious. Everyone wants to score more. Here are a few tips:

1) Funnel to the net. When the pucks are heading or about to head to the net… do the same!

Greg Revak, CFP® @CoachRevak

You all have heard the phrase “Go to the net, it’s where all the goals are” Here is proof from the Vegas Golden Knights & Chicago Blackhawks game Every goal was around the net. All 7!!! Just watch:

Greg Revak, CFP® @CoachRevak

Clip of the day - Creating O, Funnel to the net When the puck gets moving toward the net players need to funnel their way there Rebounds, blocked shots, etc. are there for opportunistic players. Make your own luck - head to the net as soon as you read the puck is going there

2) Stop at the net. Once at the net, stop there… with your stick on the ice in a ready position.

Greg Revak, CFP® @CoachRevak

Great goal by Kirby Dach He is diligent on his details and gets rewarded Keys 🔑 - Enters zone off the wall (in the dot line) with speed. Pushing D back - Horizontal drop pass after entry - Contact with the D and D’s stick - Gets to net - Stops at net with stick down + ready

Greg Revak, CFP® @CoachRevak

Get to the net. Stop at the net MTL win over NYI goals 1) Gallagher stops at the net off the rush. Hits him + provides a screen 2) Gallagher dishes wide, drives net, + stops at the net. Grabs rebound 3) Petry walks the line + shoots through net front traffic I feel for Lehner

3) Shoot low. Goalies, especially newer goalies, really struggle to move in the crease and stop the low shots. Directly over the leg pad is a great spot and even on the ice often works. The majority of the NHL goals are scored on the lower half of the net. When in doubt, go low.

Greg Revak, CFP® @CoachRevak

Jack Eichel took his goal scoring to a new height this past season What was he doing differently with his shot??? He listened to Patrick Kane and started to shoot lower on the net

Here's Your Replay ⬇️ @TheReplayGuy

🚨 Mikhail Sergachev PP 3-0 #GoBolts

4) Go 5-hole. Low is a preferred spot of perennial goal scorers. Those with the ability to pick their spot can start to pick out the 5-hole (space between the goalie’s legs). Movement side to side is key.

Greg Revak, CFP® @CoachRevak

Details of the game - Nikita Gusev #97 Gusev patiently opens the 5 hole Want to improve your player’s patience at the net? Improve their understanding of how goalies move? Make your goalie incredibly pissed off?? Institute parts of practice where all goals must be 5 hole

Greg Revak, CFP® @CoachRevak

Clip of the day - Shot, Open 5 hole Goalies must push to stay square to a puck and be in position to make a save When they push, their 5 hole opens up space. Waiting for that push before shooting is vital Often players will go 5 hole but have yet to properly open that space

5) Be patient. Taking a shot isn’t always the best answer. Using deception to fake the shot then pass is often the best move.

Greg Revak, CFP® @CoachRevak

Details of the game #74 John Carlson using his eyes, stick, and body language to open a passing lane Keys 🔑 - Being patient - Opening up his body to the middle of the ice - Faking a pass to late player. Body, eyes, + stick sell the fake - Rolling his wrists to find far side

Greg Revak, CFP® @CoachRevak

Clip of the day - Deceptively passing Locking the goalie into respecting the shot then dishing to a teammate. These players do a great job looking like they will shoot then rolling wrists and/or contorting their bodies to move pucks to high percentage shots and tap-ins.

There you go, 5 helpful ways to score more goals.

Tag me if you have video of yourself using these hints to score some goals!

If you’re in adult league… why not share + subscribe? This newsletter isn’t just for coaches and high-level players. Heck, share with your kids. These principles apply to all ages and skill levels.

Check out the other posts - Part 2 (suck less) & Part 3 (play better defense).

---

Did You Enjoy This Newsletter?

Help us spread the ideas within and share it with the people you care about