🥅 Many hockey players ranging from youth groups to professionals train shots, as it is a cornerstone of goal scoring. When doing so it is always good to have a clear understanding how does it usually happens is a real game. This review will provide us such information.

🏒 During the study 943 shots of "Ak Bars" (KHL), 874 shots of "Bars" (VHL) and 1045 shots of Irbis (MHL) were analyzed. In all three leagues shots in motion predominate. Thus, Ak Bars players made 722 shots in motion (77%) against 221 while standing (23%); Bars - 720 in motion (81%) and 154 standing (19 %); Irbis - 851 in motion (81%) and 194 standing (19%) (Figure 1). The lower percentage of shots while standing still in the VHL and MHL compared to the KHL can be explained by a more simplified manner of play, which is a consequence of a lower skill level of the players. In general, the data indicates that during the training process it is necessary to practice the shot more often in motion, rather than standing.

🏃‍♂️Shots in motion

In the KHL snap shots, wrist shots, as well as slap shots are more often performed on one foot. From biomechanics standpoint, this allows to use the shock-absorbing properties of the stick more efficiently, which in turn leads to more powerful shots. On the other side, this places higher demands on player's balance. Since the best hockey players play in the KHL, this may explain why the situation is different in the other leagues.

In the VHL and MHL shots with two legs contacting the ice prevail. This indicates the need for greater emphasis in the training process of youth players on mastering the technique of shots from one leg, during which a more effective transfer of body weight and greater use of the shock-absorbing properties of the stick are carried out, which will contribute to an increase in the puck speed.

🏒Shots while standing still

As it was mentioned above, shots while standing still place very high demands on the ability to maintain balance, and therefore in all three leagues shots in such situations are performed mainly from two legs

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