Ice Hockey Shooting Targets

One of the best ways to enhance your hockey skills is to become a powerful, accurate shooter. Those two traits are difficult to combine, but with enough practice using the proper tools you can develop them both. So what are the proper tools? One excellent choice: shooting targets.

What are shooting targets used for in ice hockey?

Shooting targets connect to a hockey net and create a point of focus for the shooter to aim for. They come in a number of different styles, but they all ultimately accomplish the same goal of helping the shooter pinpoint a typically unguarded portion of the net. These targets allow for unlimited repetition and practice, so that players get to practice their aim before eventually adding more power to their shots. Eventually, players can shoot hard and accurate shots that give them a higher percentage to score.

Shooting targets can be used on nets both on and off the ice, so that you can practice your shooting accuracy during practices or at home. The primary points that shooting targets help players aim for are the top and bottom corners of the net, and the space between the goalie’s stick and pads while standing up. This is known as the “five hole”.

Things To Consider

When looking for a shooting target, you'll want to consider the following:

• Where will you be using the shooting targets?
• How much do you want to spend on a shooting target?
• What materials do you want the shooting target to be made of?
• How many shooting targets do you want to use at once?

Types

Although the main goal of all hockey shooting targets are the same, they accomplish that goal in several different ways. The four different types of shooting targets are magnetic targets, clip-on targets, strap-on targets, and shooter tutors.

Magnetic Targets

Magnetic shooting targets connect to the metal posts of the net and get knocked off when hit. These can be easily set up, but they also must be set up after they get hit once. They are easy to move around, so players can practice targeting different points of the net. They are also on the higher end of the price spectrum as they are only sold in multipacks.

Clip-On Targets

Clip-on targets are targets that can be clipped onto the posts of the net at any point, so the target is adjustable and durable. The biggest drawback of clip-on targets is that powerful enough shots can actually spin the target so it’s no longer facing forward and has to be readjusted. Clip-on targets tend to be sold individually.

Strap-On Targets

Strap-on targets can be placed almost anywhere on the net but, instead of being placed on like clip-on targets, they are usually fastened with velcro or another type of fastener. These are less likely to spin because they aren’t stiff, so the puck pushes the targets out of the way when it hits them. Strap-on targets are typically among the cheapest types of targets, and are sold in multipacks.

Shooter Tutors

The most realistic type of shooting targets is the shooter tutor. The shooter tutor is usually a tarp that covers the majority of the net, leaving only small areas open. Unlike other shooting targets, the goal is to not hit this target. When using a shooter tutor, the goal is to hit the small amounts of space it leaves open in the net. The shooter tutor is the only type of target that allows for practice aiming at the five-hole. These are typically more expensive because of their size.

Brands

There are a number of different styles and sizes to shooting targets, as well as brands that produce them. Three of the biggest shooting target brands are Bauer, Top Shelf, and Winnwell.

• Bauer: Bauer produces strap-on and clip-on targets, as well as shooter tutors. Bauer shooter tutors are made of a heavy duty tarp with the five typical openings and an image of the goalie printed on the front. Bauer is one of the premier hockey brands, making their equipment a hot commodity in the world of hockey.
• Top Shelf: Top Shelf is the most well-known producer of magnetic shooting targets, which allowed them to set a higher price for their specialized products. Top shelf targets are made of high quality plastic and come in two different sizes.
• Winnwell: Winwell produces a wide range of different shooting targets ranging from foam strap-on targets to heavy-duty shooter tutors. They have shooter tutors in multiple different sizes, and several specialized styles of individual targets.

Considerations

When purchasing a shooting target there are a number of things that you must consider including the durability, cost, and size.

Durability

The durability of your shooting targets is largely dependent on the type of target and the frequency that you use it. Most targets are typically quite durable, but after extended use they are going to wear out. shooter tutors will likely experience wear along the straps from repeated contact from missed shots. Clip-on targets can become damaged through repeated, powerful shots.

Cost

The cost of shooting targets can vary based on the type of target that you are looking to purchase, but they mostly cost under $100. Shooter tutors are typically the most expensive style of target as they require the most material and can even come with electronic scoring systems. Magnetic targets cost in the $50-$100 range. This tends to make them less expensive. Strap-on foam targets tend to be the least expensive style of target, but all of this varies by brand, size, and features.

Sizes

Targets do come in different sizes, but they change based primarily on the brand or product type. The shooter tutor is the biggest of the targets because it covers the majority of the net, but it doesn’t necessarily mean that its targets are bigger or smaller than clip-on targets. The smaller the actual targets are, the more difficult they are going to be to hit, so more experienced players should look for smaller targets. Less experienced players should work on their general aim with larger targets.

FAQ