Tyler Dittmer knows a thing or two about scoring goals. The current Director of Player Development & Mentorship for Western Canada Hockey Academy and Skills Coach for the WHL's Brandon Wheat Kings scored 60 goals over a four year WHL career, including 32 during his final season.

Dittmer proceeded to play four seasons at the University of Manitoba before turning to skill development in his post-playing career. The 36-year-old now plays a pivotal role in the development of the next generation of players in Brandon and its surrounding areas.

Holding a specialty in shooting techniques, Dittmer uses his Global Skills Showcase presentation to focus on how to create a lethal release with a corkscrew shot. During the 28-minute video, he teaches players to maximize their mechanics for a more powerful and accurate shot; Dittmer stresses that the warm-up and ensuing drills work for players from U9 to the pros and he uses U13, U15 & U20 players to demonstrate.

Learn how to warm-up properly before teaching the skills necessary to create this lethal release. Dittmer also demonstrates how to record players and break down their performance in drills to help them improve quickly.

Key Teaching Points for the Corkscrew Shot

• Get into a wide glide with puck loaded in shooting position.
• Inside Edge Cut of the outside leg.
• Inside Leg Whips Behind/Across midline of body.
• Follow through of stick crosses midline of body.
• After release of the puck, lower body should be facing lateral while upper body remains facing the net.
• The harder you cut on inside edge (rotate), more spin on the puck= harder shot

Common Errors

• Players not comfortable cutting/rotating quickly on inside edge.
• Outside leg not leaving the ice when whipping it across midline of body.
• Players stop follow through before crossing midline of their body, not using all potential rotational power.

Noteworthy timestamps

• 01:30 NHL examples of the Corkscrew Shot
• 03:40 Shooting details warm up
• 12:00 Backview strongside shot
• 16:00 iPad breakdown
• 18:40 Sideview weakside shot
• 21:25 iPad breakdown
• 23:15 Frontview game speed shot
• 25:55 iPad breakdown