Two Touch Shot: Part 1 - Forehand

By: Ice Hockey Systems Inc.

The two-touch shot is an advanced skill which uses technique, deception, and stick technology.

The idea behind the technique is to stop (kill) the puck on the reception of the pass (FIRST TOUCH) and then release the shot with the SECOND TOUCH.

We will take a look at two types of forehand two-touch shots:

1. Strong side - the player opens up to the puck.

  • Right Shot on Left Side
  • Left Shot on Right Side

Often times a player will “open up” and “one-time” on this type of play/pass. While that can certainly be an effective technique, the two-touch offers a different option.

2. Weak side – the puck is coming across the players body.

  • Right Shot on Right Side
  • Left Shot on Left Side

On this type of shot the pass is coming across the players body. Often times, a player will try to rotate his body and spin around the puck in attempt to “catch and release”. While that can be effective the two touch offers an alternative option.

CRITICAL TEACHING POINTS:

  1. Separation of upper and lower body (rotate trunk)
  2. Hands boxed Hands off hips / away from body
  3. Top/Strong elbow up – THE CHICKEN WING
  4. “Kill” the puck (and stop the spin) off the strong side foot
  5. Adjust feet to puck following first touch
  6. Open stick blade and load (Elbow out – Elbow in)
  7. Activate FLEX - by pulling top hand and pushing bottom hand

In some cases, particularly the Matthews example (shown in the video above, and the breakdown below), you can see the player literally jump and use their energy to increase their flex, and subsequently, the velocity of their shot.

In the Toews weakside example (show in the video above), you can see how the pass is coming in HOT so he uses his left foot to help deaden or “kill” the puck. It is a tough pass to handle, but he kills it and quickly releases on the second touch.

Lets Break it Down!

McDavid Two Touch

McDavid Two Touch - Strong Side Example. Notice the following as he is about to catch pass from behind net. 

  1. Hands Boxed
  2. Strong elbow up
  3. Top hand out/Bottom closer to body (elbow in / elbow out)
McDavid 2 Touch Shot

McDavid Two Touch (Reverse Angle). Notice the following:

  • Hands Boxed
  • Strong elbow up
  • Top hand out/Bottom closer to body (elbow in / elbow out)
Vrbata Two Touch

Vrbata Two Touch - Strong Side Example (overhead view). Notice the following as he is about to catch pass.

  1. Hands Boxed – stick parallel with chest
  2. Away from body
  3. Top/Strong elbow up
Vrbata Two Touch

Vrabata Two Touch Example. Notice the following as the pass arrives:

  1. “Kills Puck” (catches the pass)
  2. Elbow in Elbow out (top elbow out/bottom elbow in)
  3. Has gotten feet around puck (puck in wheelhouse)
Vrbata Two Touch Shooting

Vrbata is about to shoot the puck. Notice the space between puck and blade. Then the 2nd touch is the shot.

Matthews Two Touch

Auston Matthews Two Touch Weak Side. Notice the following as the pass comes:

  1. Hands boxed
  2. Separated lower and upper body (rotated trunk)
  3. Hands away from body
  4. Chicken Wing (elbow high)
  5. Stick blade parallel with strong (right) skate
Auston Matthews Two Touch

Auston Matthews 2nd angle of receiving pass. Notice the following:

  1. Hands boxed
  2. Separated lower and upper body (rotated trunk)
  3. Hands from body
  4. Chicken Wing
  5. Stick blade parallel with strong (right) skate

In this clip video watch how he “kills” the puck and then “JUMPS” into shot while pushing down with his bottom hand and pulling towards his body with top hand.

Larkin Two Touch Shot

Dylan Larkin Weak Side Example. Notice as pass approaches his tape:

  1. Hands boxed – off his hips
  2. Chicken Wing (right elbow up)
  3. Stick parallel with strong foot
Larkin Two Touch Shot

Notice Larkin “caught” the pass….He “killed” the puck so it “died” in his wheelhouse…..

Larkin Two Touch Goal

Larkin rotates his feet around the puck in one motion and then snaps….

Larkin Two Touch Goal

Reverse Angle. You can see how the puck is on edge ….. It is not “perfect” or “where he wants it” but the release is so quick Luongo cannot react in time. Also notice:

  1. Hands away from body
  2. Hands Square/Boxed
  3. Puck under center
  4. Top hand pull….Bottom hand push

Supporting Drills

Two Touch SHooting Tips

In this video here, Pro Skills Coach Dwayne Blais gives tips on how to take a two-touch shot. It is important to have a great hand position with your hands away from your body, so you can tip the puck into a nice shooting area before your shot. 

Shooting off of the pass - corner

Here is a simple setup where players can work on their two touch shot from the corner. Remind players to stop (kill) the puck on the reception of the pass (FIRST TOUCH) and then release the shot with the SECOND TOUCH.

shooting off of the pass - point

Here is a drill similar to the corner one above where players can work on their two touch shot from the point. Remind players to stop (kill) the puck on the reception of the pass (FIRST TOUCH) and then release the shot with the SECOND TOUCH.

Lead or feed

Here is a third drill setup that encourages edgework, jumping to space and getting off a quick shot.

With this setup you can remind players to stop (kill) the puck on the reception of the pass (FIRST TOUCH) and then release the shot with the SECOND TOUCH.

quick attack 2 vs 1

Here is a more game-like activity to practice the two touch shot.

Players can work on a 2 v 1 to get open so they can focus on receiving a pass with the first touch and getting off a quick shot with the second touch.

Battery Hockey Quick Release Shooting Series

Here is a simple yet highly effective drill to practice quickly shooting off of a pass. The coach can set up the passing and shooting lanes in a variety of ways to practice shooting from different areas of the ice.

View Two Touch Part 2: Backhand to Forehand. This breakdown gives tips on how to use the two touch shot coming into a zone entry. Learn more here.