In-Tight Finishing & Scoring Habits
A quick, repeatable scoring drill designed to teach players how to finish in tight—using deception, quick hands, and patience around the net.
From: Jeremy Szczurek of First Shift Hockey (Instagram | Facebook)
This drill recreates one of the hardest skills to execute in games: finishing around the net with limited time and space.
Players work on selling fakes, elevating pucks in tight, and staying composed through a second scoring chance immediately after the first shot.
🎯 Skills Targeted:
In-tight puck control
Deception before release
Elevating pucks under the bar
Forehand and backhand finishing
Net-front scoring confidence and patience
💡 Why Work On This:
Most goals at higher levels come from inside the dots, not clean rush chances.
Players rarely get multiple clean looks—this drill builds composure in-tight.
Builds confidence finishing both forehand and backhand in-tight.
Simple setup, high rep value, game-real scoring habits.
🛠️ Equipment Needed:
Net
2 pucks
Half-zone, or small area with enough space to attack from the top of the circle
*Full drill description, tips, and optional variations below the video.
🎥 VIDEO: Two-Shot In-Tight Scoring Drill
🎥 Want the full breakdown, teaching cues, and add-on variations?
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Drill Details & Coaching Points
✍️ Drill Description:
Set-Up:
Players line up with pucks high in the offensive zone, off to one side of the ice.
One net, two pucks per rep (third puck optional for progressions).
Second player in line acts as the passer for the second shot.
First Shot (Attack & Finish):
Player attacks the net from one side (example: right side).
As they approach the front of the net, they sell a fake to one side (righty fakes backhand / lefty fakes forehand).
Player quickly pulls the puck back and elevates a shot in tight, aiming under the crossbar short-side.
Second Shot (Catch, Patience & Finish):
After the shot, player continues skating around the back of the net.
Second player in line slides a puck to them on the opposite side of the net.
Shooter catches the puck, turns toward the net, waits out the goalie, and elevates a second shot in tight.
Other Side Variation:
Run the same sequence from both sides of the ice.
Righties and lefties must execute both forehand and backhand finishes, depending on side.
📌 Tips for Success:
Sell the fake with your eyes and shoulders, not just the stick.
After catching the second puck, get your head up immediately.
Emphasize accuracy and puck placement, not shot power.
Look for open net, not just “high shot.”
Hit your spot—short, controlled releases beat hard shots in tight.
Stay composed—this drill rewards patience, not rushing.
🧩 Optional Changes or Add-Ons:
Add a goaltender:
Remove the “must shoot high” constraint.
Encourage players to read the goalie and finish five-hole, short-side, or upstairs based on positioning.
Escape finish:
After catching the second puck, player escapes away from the net before cutting back to shoot.
Third-puck deflection:
Add a third puck where a coach or teammate throws a low shot for a quick net-front deflection immediately after the second finish.
One-touch progression:
Advanced players must finish the second puck one-touch without dusting it.
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