Why Shooting Clinics Matter - For Beginners and Elite Players

Champions Hockey
Aug 4
2 min read

When most people think of shooting clinics, they picture young players just learning to shoot. But ask any high-level coach or player, and they’ll tell you the same thing: shooting is a skill that needs constant attention, and like any technical part of the game, it benefits most from focused, intentional practice.

Whether you're in U9 or U18, a scoring winger or a stay-at-home defenceman, how and where you shoot the puck can change the outcome of a game. The mechanics, decision-making, and repetition that come from structured shooting sessions are key for every level of hockey.

Why It’s Important at All Levels:

1. Beginners: Build the Right Habits Early

Develop proper hand positioning, weight transfer, and follow-through.
Learn how to shoot in stride, not just stationary.
Reinforce technique first, avoid bad habits that are harder to fix later.

2. Intermediate Players: Expand the Shot Toolbox

Snap, wrist, backhand, and slap shots, when and where to use them.
Shooting off the pass, in motion, under pressure.
Improve release speed and accuracy, especially from high-percentage areas.

3. Advanced Players: Fine-Tune and Perform Under Pressure

Create deception: head fakes, angle changes, and drag release.
Shoot through screens, off rebounds, or in tight quarters.
Replicate game situations (low time, tight coverage, poor ice)

What Shooting Clinics Do That Team Practices Don’t:

Most team practices have limited time for individual reps. Shooting clinics offer:

Hundreds of quality reps per session
Immediate technical feedback
A controlled environment to fix mechanics without game pressure

Confidence vs Volume:

Many players shoot hundreds of pucks a week, but if they’re doing it wrong, they’re just reinforcing poor habits. Good shooting clinics help players:

Understand the why behind each technique
Break down movements into correct patterns
Leave with drills they can continue at home or on their own

Beyond Mechanics: Decision Making

Scoring in games isn’t just about power, it’s about reading the goalie, understanding shot selection, and choosing the right moment to shoot or pass. Good shooting clinics also:

Teach shot timing
Develop spatial awareness
Emphasize hockey IQ in the offensive zone

Final Takeaway:

Whether your player is new to the game or gunning for junior-level hockey, shooting is a skill that never maxes out. Even NHL players work on shot mechanics every week. A structured shooting clinic doesn’t just make you a better shooter, it makes you a more dangerous player.