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Why POINT SHOTS SUCK (with graphics!)
The “point'“ is the area just inside the offensive zone blue line where defensemen on the offensive team are normally positioned
It’s a spot far away from the goalie, but still inside of the offensive zone.
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Why POINT SHOTS SUCK (with graphics!)
The “point'“ is the area just inside the offensive zone blue line where defensemen on the offensive team are normally positioned
It’s a spot far away from the goalie, but still inside of the offensive zone.
1/9
Reason #1 - Low shooting percentage
Point shots don’t score often
- Point shot without traffic score about 1% or less of the time. Basically it’s “playing catch” with the goalie
- Point shot with traffic score about 3% of the time
Very little arguments here
2/9
Point shots don’t score often
- Point shot without traffic score about 1% or less of the time. Basically it’s “playing catch” with the goalie
- Point shot with traffic score about 3% of the time
Very little arguments here
2/9
Rebuttal #1 - They create rebounds
Point shots aren’t great options for scoring goals
However, some argue that they create rebounds for forwards to whack home for a goal, tips, screens, etc.
E.g. “Getting pucks to the net”
3/9
Point shots aren’t great options for scoring goals
However, some argue that they create rebounds for forwards to whack home for a goal, tips, screens, etc.
E.g. “Getting pucks to the net”
3/9
Hockey slang - “We gotta get pucks to the net”
Translation = “we want to shoot for anywhere possible while our teammates are crashing/converging on the net looking for deflections, rebounds, etc. goals.”
This is a less-than-ideal strategy
4/9
Translation = “we want to shoot for anywhere possible while our teammates are crashing/converging on the net looking for deflections, rebounds, etc. goals.”
This is a less-than-ideal strategy
4/9
Reason #2 - Don’t create rebounds
If those extra shots are mostly coming from low percentage areas, then why are they shooting from there?
Simply put: to create rebounds
One of the largest errors in judgment is thinking that point shots create rebounds
They don’t.
5/9
If those extra shots are mostly coming from low percentage areas, then why are they shooting from there?
Simply put: to create rebounds
One of the largest errors in judgment is thinking that point shots create rebounds
They don’t.
5/9
@AlexNovet graphic:
- Point shots create fewer rebounds than anywhere else
- Opponents recover majority (about 60%) of rebounds
- Rebounds are better created elsewhere. Corner shot > Point shot
- Any time a shot is taken there is less than a 50% chance of recovering the puck
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- Point shots create fewer rebounds than anywhere else
- Opponents recover majority (about 60%) of rebounds
- Rebounds are better created elsewhere. Corner shot > Point shot
- Any time a shot is taken there is less than a 50% chance of recovering the puck
6/9
Where rebounds actually come from:
@coach_hiroki + @shawnferris98 charts
Just like goals, rebounds are also created from within the house
Again, point shots are not the solution. Working to get higher quality shots is a solution
Greater shot quality > great shot quantity
7/9
@coach_hiroki + @shawnferris98 charts
Just like goals, rebounds are also created from within the house
Again, point shots are not the solution. Working to get higher quality shots is a solution
Greater shot quality > great shot quantity
7/9
Relating to non-NHL
Stats from an Ohio high school team for the 2019-2020 season
Shot charts:
- All shots
- Blocks = Clusters at the points
- Saved shots = Clusters at the points
- Goals = Cluster near the net
As a Russian coach once told me, “Go to net, score goal.”
8/9
Stats from an Ohio high school team for the 2019-2020 season
Shot charts:
- All shots
- Blocks = Clusters at the points
- Saved shots = Clusters at the points
- Goals = Cluster near the net
As a Russian coach once told me, “Go to net, score goal.”
8/9
What we learned
- Dmen should utilize point shots in limited situations as they normally create turnovers
- Standing at the point for point shots is a terrible strategy for creating goals and sustainable offense
Find this + more on our newsletter:
https://hockeysarsenal.substack.com/p/point-shots-suck?utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&utm_source=copy
9/9
- Dmen should utilize point shots in limited situations as they normally create turnovers
- Standing at the point for point shots is a terrible strategy for creating goals and sustainable offense
Find this + more on our newsletter:
https://hockeysarsenal.substack.com/p/point-shots-suck?utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&utm_source=copy
9/9
