🧠 Hockey IQ Breakdown: Flash Screens — The Small Detail Goalies Hate Most
Some of the most important plays in hockey never touch the puck.
From: Geoff Schomogyi (Instagram | Facebook)
Why Flash Screens Matter
Watching elite prospects at events like the World Juniors, it’s easy to focus on the shooter — the release, the accuracy, the finish.
But on this goal, the shot is only part of the story.
As Coach Schmogs points out, the real difference-maker is a flash screen — a quick, well-timed skate through the goalie’s sightline that turns a visible shot into a guessing game.
What Is a Flash Screen?
A flash screen isn’t about standing still in front of the goalie.
It’s about movement.
A skater crosses directly through the goalie’s line of sight
The screen is brief — a split second, not a full net-front battle
The puck is released as the sightline is disrupted
That moment of visual interference is often all it takes.
Even the best goalies rely on early puck tracking. When their eyes lose the puck for a fraction of a second, reaction time disappears.
Why Flash Screens Are So Effective
From a goalie’s perspective:
The puck changes planes behind a moving body
Depth perception is disrupted
The release point is harder to identify
From an offensive perspective:
You don’t need to overpower the goalie
You don’t need a perfect screen
You just need timing and awareness
The Detail Most Players Miss
Many players think “screening” means parking at the top of the crease.
But flash screens reward players who:
Read when the shot is about to come
Skate through the sightline, not around the play
Keep moving so they’re not interfering or drifting offside
It’s a subtle detail — and that’s exactly why it works at higher levels.
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Final Takeaways
How to Apply This in Your Game
You don’t need a set play to create a flash screen.
Start by building awareness:
Recognize when your teammate is loaded to shoot
Identify the goalie’s eyes and release lane
Time your route through the sightline, not into the goalie
You’re not trying to block the puck.
You’re trying to steal vision at the exact moment of release.
Watch the Clip With This Lens
As you rewatch the play, focus on:
When the shooter sets their feet
Where the goalie’s eyes are locked in
How the flash screen crosses the sightline at release
That timing — not the length of the screen — is what creates the advantage.
Final Hockey IQ Takeaway
Great offense isn’t always about touching the puck.
Sometimes, the most valuable contribution you can make is disrupting vision for half a second — and letting a teammate do the rest.
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