As a shooting coach, it’s natural for me to pay close attention to how Blackhawk players, and players around the NHL, shoot the puck.
Beyond the mechanics of how the player is shooting the puck, I evaluate the shot selection type the player chooses, for the game situation he is in.
In the heat of an on-ice battle, players may work very hard and very smart to create goal scoring opportunities for themselves. They may also have strong shooting mechanics. Good for them.
But, if they make the wrong shot selection type, for the situation they are in, the likelihood of a goal is greatly diminished. Not so good for them.
And, if they continually prioritize super-fast release and super-hard shot every time they shoot, instead of where they are shooting the puck, not so good for them. These players need to expand their shooting arsenal.
There is a particular shot type that Auston Matthews worked all summer on to help increase his goal scoring probabilities. The shot is called the, “Two-Touch” shot. The “Two-Touch” is a cousin of the “One-Timer” but differs slightly:
- The shooter stops the pass he just received for a split-second before shooting (first touch).
- The shooter then quickly snaps his shot off (second touch, “Two-Touch”).
- Watch this clip of 656 goal-scorer, Brendan Shanahan, the master of the “Two-Touch”:
- Ignore the brief Maple Leaf shoot out attempt at the beginning
- Disregard that the clip is from a recent alumni game, everything is textbook “Two-Touch”
- Listen for the sound of the “Two-Touch” – the two touches are very audible in the first replay
- The last replay of Shanny’s shot gives you the full view of how the “Two-Touch” shot is done
The “Two-Touch” can be used as a “safer” One-Time shot. It allows the shooter to place the puck where he wants it before shooting. He can “flatten” the puck if it is rolling or bouncing to him. A great shot choice when ice conditions are poor. And, when mastered, the “Two-Touch” gives the shooter more accuracy of where he wants to shoot, with only a split second delay, vs the One-Timer.
Auston Matthews uses the “Two-Touch” with great success when receiving passes, while facing the net in the slot, from teammates behind the net. He also uses the “Two-Touch” to score many goals from in- close on the back door side. Matthews can shoot the “Two-Touch” almost as quickly as the One-Timer and knows it is a tremendously effective shot from in-close. (He’s usually much closer to the net than the Shanny clip.)
Many Blackhawk shooters, instead of using the “Two-Touch” from the same Matthews goal-scoring areas, rush their shots by opting for some version of the One-Timer. The result is often poor puck contact, a save by the goalie, or the shot missing the net altogether.
I give full marks to Richard Panik for the number of goal scoring opportunities he creates in-close. But he tries to One-Time too many pucks in the “Matthews areas.” Using the “Two-Touch” shot more often would produce more goals for him.
I also give full marks to Nick Schmaltz for the goal scoring opportunities he, too, creates. Schmaltz would also benefit greatly by adding the “Two-Touch” to his shot arsenal. He uses a very long stick which can make it more difficult to consistently rip One-Timers. With his buttery soft hands, the “Two Touch” would allow Schmaltz to “tee-up” a snapshot instead of rolling the dice on a true One-Timer. Would also like to see Schmaltz “open his body up” more often when he is a shot option. Nick could also pull the puck in closer to his body during his shot release for a more powerful shot.
These are Two Hawks that need the “Two Touch.” But, most Hawk forwards should be using it much, much more.
Next time you watch a game and a Hawk shanks a One-Timer from in-close, or shoots it right into the goalie, or misses the net, don’t let your mind tell you, “That was a tough shot to execute.” Rather, let your mind tell you, “That was probably a goal if he would have ‘Two-Touched’ it.”