We don’t always shoot to score. Sometimes, we shoot to pass.

I call it a play off the goalie’s pads, but it’s also been referred to as a pass off the goalie’s pads, shooting for a rebound, or a low shoot. Different terminology referring to the same thing.

Does anyone remember how the winning goal was scored in the 2014 Stanley Cup Final?

We can’t ask for a better example of shooting for a rebound, but it’s from 2014, and I wanted to use an updated example in my videos.

I’ve watched all the goals from the 2020 NHL playoffs and have identified four ways that players scored using a play off the goalie’s pads. This is not a science, but should help teach players at a young age or even at the pro level.

1. On the rush

You’re coming in on a rush with numbers. You are outside the dots without much option to score.

A low shot on the far pad can generate opportunities and goals. This is why we are asking for a middle lane drive from our F2, and F3 to have their stick on the ice and ready to grab any rebounds. That kind of shot is hard for the goalie to control.

2. In the offensive zone, by a defenceman

Some teams preach high-quality shots, some teams preach using the green shot from the Royal Road, and some teams preach for the D to use the backboard/yellow.

It’s a matter of making the right decision, and in this video, we can see the defencemen keeping the puck low and going for a rebound or hitting a blade of a stick.

3. In the offensive zone, by a forward

Some things will never change in hockey. Having bodies at the net, sticks on the ice and the willingness to stay there will always be in every game plan. If we look at the forwards, sometimes they did not have any option, but they could create a scoring chance by shooting on the far side and helping their teammate.

4. Textbook

This is my favourite video from this article. Not much to say. These are different situations that are textbook for what we are teaching. We can use this video in any classroom and say, this is the perfect example.

Bonus video

You can score off a rebound in many different situations if you are ready and willing to go to the net. This video proves it:

In conclusion, the play off the goalie’s pads, for me, is a high-end technical skill. Why? Ask your players in practice to try it, and let’s take the percentage on how many times they miss the net.

How many times did the puck go short side? How many times did the goalie make a save? How many times did the goalie deflected the puck in the corner?

It is a high-end skill that could be implemented in every practice, and in any kind of shooting drill.