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Perfecting the One-Timer, One of the Hardest Shots in Hockey

By Ian Taylor, OMHA Executive Director, OMHA WEBSITE

The One-Timer is one of the toughest shots in hockey. A lot has to go right for it to be successful but little things like angling and body position can have a big impact.

In this edition of Chalk-Talk, we take a look at the One-Timer. The drills in this series put players in situations that they will encounter in games – this presents the players with the opportunity to:

  • create
  • problem-solve
  • read and react
  • to use the technical skills, tactics and concepts they have learned in practice

A difficult skill to perfect, the one-timer is an effective shot to use before the defence has an opportunity to set up.

Photo Credit: Kevin Sousa Photography

One-Timers

Players should set up facing the pass and sideways to the target.

  • Time the backswing so the downward swing begins as the puck approaches.
  • Transfer the weight from the back leg to the stick to the front leg.
  • Lock the wrists as the stick comes into contact with the ice just behind the puck. Snap the wrists on contact with the puck.
  • Keep the blade face closed to keep the puck down and hard.
  • If closer to the net, eliminate the back swing and use a sweeping motion with the face of the blade open to get the puck up quickly.

The one-timer takes a great deal of hand-eye coordination and near-precise timing from the shooter. When it connects, it can leave both defenders and goalies out of position, increasing the chances of scoring a goal.

There are many tools available for players to work on their One-Timer right from their own homes. The OMHA Players Club features the 5000 Puck Challenge and one of the drills includes working on the One-Timer. Practicing this shot can help improve a player’s accuracy and hand-eye coordination.

When shooting a One-Timer, chances are the pass will go through the Royal Road, a line that goes directly through the middle of the ice from one net to the other. It separates the ice into two equal parts. It has been observed that a puck crossing this imaginary line immediately preceding a shot increases a shooter’s scoring opportunity by over 10 times. Watch how a goal is scored using both a One-Timer and the Royal Road in this edition of Video Coach.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Ian Taylor is the Executive Director of the OMHA and former Director of Hockey Development. A proud hockey dad of two, Ian has over 25 years of instructional and coaching experience.