Setting Your Sites on the Next Level

In Today's BLOGPOST, Paul Delivers A Powerful Yet Simple Plan For Aspiring Young Players That Have Their Sites Set On Reaching The Next Level--All While Helping Them To SCORE A Few More Goals Along-The-Way! Another MUST READ...

By Paul Lubanski

To the true hockey scholar, it comes as no surprise that the only two members of the current Detroit Red Wings that can launch an effective and quite dangerous back-hand shot are European-bred.

Who am I referring to?

Of course, Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg.

The reason is quite simple. By-in-large, our European counterpart decision-makers at the youth level devote extraordinarily more precious practice time to this very important skill--among many, many others. This while while the so-called North American  brain-trust is  worrying about how to prevent our youngsters from leveling paralyzing game-play hits-from-behind, and the resultant lawsuits and gigantic insurance bills that ensue.

I'll take the Euro-approach anytime. We all should.

That is fodder for another for an upcoming column--stay tuned.

Now however, I would prefer to refocus the discussion as to how we can leverage the current summer respite to emulate the Wing-wheeled stars I mention above.

Here is what I would like to suggest...



If you are an aspiring young player (male or female), I would set-aside 20-30 minutes a day with the goal of taking 100 back-hand shots into and empty net or combination-net replete with targets adorned. Obviously, this can be accomplished in a basement setting or outside on the driveway off of a piece of plexi-glass gleaned from the local Home Depot. Personally, outside in the fresh air and in the sun is where I would prefer to do my "work." We all spend an abundance of time in rinks that don't necessarily offer us the healthiest air to ingest, so get outside!

Anyway, quickly,  let us review precisely "why" we need to be practicing and perfecting the back-hander.

You see, shots released via the back-hand are far more perilous and tricky for a netminder of any age to gage and ultimately corral beacuse:

* It is much more difficult to read, the eyes, hands, overall body language and release-point of the shooter. All requisite clues--by the way, utilized by a goalie to thwart the average fore-hand rocket.

 ** Since a goaltender is rarely seriously challenged by a back-hand rip, he/she is naturally more unnerved and the likelihood of a mistake ensuing is a real probability. In fact, I would submit that a well-executed back-hander has 50% better odds of actually entering the cage. Just think of how difficult it is to score 5 on 5 in today's game at any age and skill level! Hence, it most certainly behooves any intelligent coach or player to launch/employ any legal tactic to increase their odds of succeeding--and this IS inarguably --one.

Now back to the specifics of what your daily back-hand shooting ritual should include...I would ration equal time to:

a.) stationary shot--all areas of the twine--including five-hole from every angle imaginable
b.) shooting with feet moving, especially back East while moving West or vice-versa
c.) in-close proximity kill-zone "roofers" from various angles
d.) give special priority to low/on-ice blasts! Tenders' typically flinch upward or stiffen "taller" in expectation of a high back-hand try. Make certain to chart your progress daily with a primary goal of NAILING your intended target EVERY shot attempted!

In closing, I can assure you that if you and/or your team make the proposed commitment and become dedicated to a  regimen that resembles as I outline above, it will not be long before an increase in the  goals' for column is obvious. This I GUARANTEE! And, all-the while your team will naturally inch upward in the league standings as well. Beyond that, who knows--a good next-level scout or two along the way may even begin to pay "special" attention to your individual/team contributions.

How great is that?

Best of luck.

Paul


BONUS TIPS

I. COACHES: Swedish junior teams have been known to mandate that their players to execute the team's entire five-minute pre-game warm-up routine(s) with the use of back-hand passes and shots--ONLY. Consider challenging your club to do the same.

II. Remember this: a strong back-hand shot taken while moving at a high rate of speed is an incredible weapon. Again, you  internalize that doing so requires strong skating posture and balance coupled with exceptional hand-eye coordination and timing.

III. The ridiculous curve patterns on the typical, modern composite stick leave the average player a very small "sweet" spot (flattened/straightened heel area) to "center" a shot from. So be forewarned that this makes it even harder to master a consistently dangerous backhand missile.Hence, dedicated muscle-memory repetition--(i.e. into the 1000's) is the only pathway to true success.

IV. ACCURACY is of the utmost importance--that should be a given. Rarely if ever missing the net in practice translates into doing the same in critical game situations.



You can find Paul's children's books--"Bonky, a Moose and the Magic Hockey Stick" and "Just Leave it to Coopie" on www.amazon.com--keyword Lubanski.



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