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Owning the Blue Paint: Tips and Tools to Improve Net-Front Presence and Deflections

  • Writer: Kevin Geist
    Kevin Geist
  • Oct 10
  • 3 min read

The area around the crease is one of the most chaotic—and valuable—zones in

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hockey. Games are often won or lost based on who controls the net front. Offensively, players who establish strong net-front presence and have the hands to deflect pucks create high-percentage scoring chances that make goalies miserable. Here’s how to get better at it.

1. Be Comfortable in the Chaos


The net front is a battle zone. Defensemen will cross-check, shove, and tie up your stick—so mental and physical toughness matter.

  • Absorb contact, don’t avoid it. Keep your knees bent, core tight, and skates shoulder-width apart for balance.

  • Own your ice. Set your position early and hold it. Force defenders to move around you.

  • Keep your stick free. You can’t score if your stick’s tied up. Use shoulder rolls and leverage your hips to protect it.

2. Perfect Your Positioning


Good positioning isn’t about standing still in front of the goalie—it’s about timing and angles.

  • Screen smart. Line up directly in the goalie’s sightline, but shift slightly as the puck moves to stay between the puck and the goalie.

  • Arrive on time. Getting there too early invites the defense to clear you out. Time your route to the crease as the puck moves up top.

  • Rebounds are gold. Always anticipate the shot—be ready for second and third chances.

3. Master Stick Control for Deflections


Deflections aren’t luck—they’re skill. The best players can redirect pucks intentionally.

  • Soft hands, firm grip. Keep your bottom hand loose enough to absorb the puck but firm enough to control direction.

  • Blade angle awareness. Point the blade where you want the puck to go—down for low deflections, open for high tips.

  • Practice from all angles. Shots rarely come perfectly flat or straight. Work on deflections from the point, half-wall, and off-angle releases.

4. Use Vision and Communication


You’re not just a screen—you’re part of the play.

  • Call for pucks when open. Defensemen and wingers need to know when to shoot for a tip.

  • Signal your stick. A small stick tap or flash in the lane helps teammates aim for deflection spots.

  • Read the goalie. If they’re peeking around you on one side, shift to the other to take away vision again.

5. Off-Ice and On-Ice Tools to Improve


Modern training can make your net-front game elite.

  • Deflection boards: Portable training boards that let you practice redirecting passes and shots at home.

  • Reaction balls: Help improve hand-eye coordination for quicker deflection reads.

  • Hand-eye drills with a partner: Use a tennis ball and stick to practice quick reaction tips.

  • Video analysis: Watch NHL players like Joe Pavelski, Anders Lee, or T.J. Oshie—masters of the net-front game. Study how they time screens and change the puck’s path.

  • Specialized clinics: Programs like CEIA’s shooting and puck-skills sessions focus on touch, timing, and crease work to build confidence around the net.

6. Build Confidence in the Dirty Areas


Great net-front players take pride in doing the hard work—battling for rebounds, absorbing contact, and staying composed in traffic. When you combine strength, awareness, and touch, you become the kind of player every coach loves: the one who scores the tough goals when it matters most.

Final Thought


Improving your net-front presence isn’t glamorous—it’s gritty, disciplined, and technical. But every great team needs players who can turn low-danger shots into goals. If you want to make an impact this season, get comfortable living in the blue paint.

 
 
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