Former Olympian Kelly Stephens Tysland, 2006 Olympic Bronze Medalist, asks WWFHA Washington Wild players and goalies to join her club!
Will you have the #1 requested skill by college coaches?
Learn what college coaches are specifically looking for…
“If a player can work hard, play with their head up and score, then we are interested; however, we have many great players that are skilled and work their tail off, but struggle to finish. We need players who can just flat out score."
– Richard Reichenbach, University of Maine Head Coach
For all current WWFHA members and those planning on playing for a WWFHA team in 2015 - 2016
You must track your shots (or shots on you if you are a goalie) and hand in your log to earn one of the two Kelly Stephens Tysland Shoot & Score Club Awards (or ‘Shoot and Save Club’ for goalies):
President’s Monthly Award – You must reach 2,000 shots in 1 month to receive this award. You can get up to 3 awards for the months of June, July and August!
Kelly Stephens Tysland Grand Award – You must reach 6,500 shots between June 1 and August 31 to earn the Kelly Stephens Tysland Grand prize award!
Your parents must initial each day you shoot pucks – on or off ice
Keep your logs and return the completed sheets to a WWFHA coach or board member the week of August 31 – September 4, 2015
Awards will be presented at the Washington Wild Season Kick-Off Event!
Beginners to intermediate players should focus on proper shot technique more than shot type. Focus on wrist shots, both forward & backwards, before moving on to snap & slap shots. Check in with a coach for proper technique. The following are suggestions to help you get started but focus on what is fun for you!
Start in a semi-circle around net; close and move out.
Ages 10 and under
Focus on proper shot technique for basic shot types and repetition
Ages 11 - 13
Focus on proper shot technique for all shot types and repetition
Add a pre-shooting session to fatigue your arms to simulate shooting in game situations
Ages 14 and older
Ensure proper shot technique without thought
Add a pre- and post-shooting session to fatigue your arms to simulate shooting in game situations and work to strengthen arms
Advanced players practice more of the challenging shot of game situations: awkward angles and close in on the net (see below)
The following moves can help build strength – pushups, Burpees, planks & jump squats. Younger players may do 1 rep, while older players may choose to do multiple repetitions. Key: add strength.
If you have the basic shot form mastered & can shoot with proper technique without much thought, you can also challenge yourself by fatiguing your arms prior to your shooting session, and then again after the shooting session to add strength.
Kelly suggests the following moves to add strength and also fatigue your arms/legs/core prior to shooting:
Note: download and view the flyer to see proper technique of each move.
Download the flyer and print the log.
Copy the log and have your parent sign each session.
Copy the log sheet for multiple days/weeks; SUBMIT Shooting Logs 8/31-9/4, 2015 to a coach or Board Member
Kelly suggests for intermediate and advanced players the following shot variations (be creative!):
Scoring Close-Up:
Practice ‘shelving’ the puck in tight to the net (forehand and backhand), a common challenging scoring situation in games. Change angles of each tight-in shot.
Change Shooting Angles:
In general you should practice shooting at different angles to the net, even awkward angles.
Take a few shots at each location with a starting point of:
facing the net,
facing 45 degrees to the net,
facing 90 degrees to the net,
and with your back to the net.
With each shot where you are not directly facing the net, step or stride as quickly as you can to whip around to face the net while simultaneously shooting. This takes some practice to master so give yourself some time and work with a coach.