Quick Thoughts on Zone 3

Zone 3 is the prime scoring area known as the "slot". This is the best place to be in the offensive zone and greatest opportunity to score for the shooter. It begins at the end of the goalie's crease area from Zone 1 and ends at a 45 foot radius from the center of the net.

The angle is to a players advantage vs a butterfly goalie and there's a number of areas to shoot at on the net. Great goal scorers will move horizontally through this area to get the goalies feet moving to open up the five hole. Also moving vertically in this area forces the goalie deeper in the net and takes away his angles.

This zone is where games are won and lost. Any time you get the puck, defensive players will be on you. A "quick release" is essential to get the shot off and catch the goalie out of position. Think wrist shot or snap shot.

Hockey Shooting Tips from Zone 3

(descending order of highest goal scoring probability on a butterfly goalie from Zone 3)

1. Upper Left Hand Corner

This is the lowest percentage shot from Zone 3. There is an opening over the pad as the goalie drops into the butterfly position but the blocker and stick's shaft are still covering up most of the area.

2. Over the Goalies Shoulder "Top Shelf"

As mentioned above, today's goaltenders have adopted the butterfly style. Goalies are taught to hold their glove hand high even as they drop down. This takes away the "old" upper corner where the crossbar meets the pipe. But as a goalie drops down there is a big hole over the shoulder.(Right by the goalies ear) Experienced goal scorers have begun to shoot over the shoulder or the bend of the elbow in right handed goalies.

4. Lower Left Hand Corner

Low goalie stick side is a goal scorers favorite shot from Zone 3. The goaltenders stick is weak when moving away from the body and getting a pad in front of a quick shot from this area is very tough.

5. Five-Hole

Goaltenders today have for most part adopted the butterfly style. This allows them to cover more net but transitioning from standing to the butterfly opens the five-hole. Due to this the five-hole has become one of the most prevalent shots in hockey.

6. Lower Right Hand Corner

The low corners will always be tough to defend for a goalie on a close shot.(A goalie can move their hands quicker than their feet..) This area is below the glove and hard for a goalie to get a pad in front of. This also leaves rebounds for second chance opportunities.