JMS Hockey

Hi, On a TV show, a character was given the advice to look at the goal instead of looking at the puck when they hit it. That struck me as bizarre advice. Pretty much every sport I've ever played, you know where you are (positional awareness) but you look at the ball (tennis, baseball, etc.) when actually hitting it.but then I've never played hockey. Maybe you're aware of where the puck is based on it's trajectory so you do actually focus on the goal.So, any hockey players here? Please help. I didn't find the right solution from the Internet. References:- https://arstechnica.com/civis/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=133290 Online Video Production Studio Thanks!

You don't look at the baseball when you throw it or the basketball during your jump shot. You look at your target while using practice time to "get a feel" and improve the mechanics for shot. Same concept I say.

Yes i know in those examples, you're touching it but same case can be made for puck.

Lots of variables to consider in the concept of “hitting the puck,” but it sounds like you’re primarily referring to striking the puck when executing a snap or slap shot. Think of the difference between hitting a pitch and hitting off a tee - in one instance, the ball is moving through space toward you, so there are multiple trajectory vectors to track. Off a tee, the ball is stationary, and much easier to hit with peripheral vision and muscle training. Same (at least for this specific discussion) with hockey… When you set up *yourself* for a snap or slap shot, the puck is (hopefully) lying flat along the surface of the ice, and barely moving, so as Jeremy and many of the posters in the thread you linked mentioned, you can hit it with peripheral vision and puck feel. (This is analogous to hitting off a tee.) Eyes up, aiming at your intended target. Also, as many of the posters mentioned, looking down at the puck is a good way to get killed (in checking leagues), or just missing the net, otherwise. However, when you’re attempting to hit a one-timer on a pass /redirection, even the best pros in the world need to watch the puck because of the difficulty of coordinating arm swing while gauging the velocity and location of the puck. (This is analogous to hitting a pitch.) Search YouTube and you’ll see plenty of pros taking one-timers head up, but eyes down, watching the puck. Also, it is virtually impossible to strike a good one-timer off a cross-ice feed, when both you and your teammate are moving, if you’re not looking at the puck.

And then there's golf.....you get yourself set up, and then you look at the ball when you hit it (certainly with a full swing, although it is possible to look at the hole when you putt).

Both. If its more of a slapshot I look quickly at the spot I want, then my eyes stay focused on the puck. If its a wrist shot I have to believe I know the puck is on my stick and I remain fixed on the target