Assessing the Shooting Velocity According to the Shooting Technique in Elite Youth Rink Hockey Players

This study aimed to report the shooting velocities and to assess the differences in shot velocity according to the techniques used in elite youth male rink hockey players. Fifteen rink hockey players (age = 18.40 +/- 1.44 year; body mass = 73.52 +/- 6.02 kg; height = 1.76 +/- 0.06 m; BMI = 23.61 +/- 2.12; sports experience = 6.44 +/- 1.76 years) participated in this cross-sectional study. Shooting velocities were assessed for four techniques: slap shot without approach run, drive shot without approach run, slap shot with approach run, and drive shot with approach run. Shooting velocity measurements were conducted using a radar Stalker ATS systemTM. The results demonstrated that drive shots consistently achieved higher velocities compared to slap shots (F((3,56)) = 23.9 p < 0.01, eta(2)(p) = 0.58). Additionally, incorporating an approach run significantly increased shooting velocities for both techniques (p < 0.01). These findings hold significant implications for coaches and players seeking to optimize shooting performance in rink hockey.