From Seeing to Deciding
Turning Scans Into Smart Plays
Once players start scanning with direction, directly in front of them and toward the middle of the ice, they begin to see the game more clearly. But here’s the next challenge: awareness alone doesn’t make you an effective player. The best players don’t just see the options, they choose the one that improves the conditions of the puck the most.
The second step in developing strong scanning habits is learning to make purposeful decisions based on what you see. After you’ve trained your eyes to collect the right information, the next question becomes:
Which option gives the puck the best next condition?
Great players use their scan to decide, not just to identify.
Why This Matters
Players who can link their eyes to their decisions play faster, cleaner, and with better puck security. Here’s how this next stage separates high-level thinkers from average ones:
Average players scan but still make predetermined plays — they saw their options based on the information gained from scanning in front of them & to the middle, but nothing changed in their decision.
Great players connect their scan to their decision — they use what they see to confirm their initial idea OR to adjust the puck’s next action.
For example:
A defenseman breaking the puck out wheels the net and recognizes an opposing defenseman pinching on their winger. Instead of sticking with their initial plan to pass to the winger, they recognize their centerman supporting through the middle. They take 2 - 3 more strides, which opens a passing lane to the centerman and a clean breakout is accomplished.
A forward enters the offensive zone, attacking off the rush in a 2-on-2 situation. There’s no passing lane to their teammate that would improve the condition of the puck. Instead of forcing a pass to the player skating even with them, they recognize a third player entering the zone late. They take 2–3 more strides, delay, and then make the pass to the trailer.
It’s no longer just about identifying information, it’s about sorting through the information you have identified to make the next best play.
How to Apply It
Pre-Decision Scan: Before touching the puck, direct your eyes directly in front of you (north - south) and toward the middle of the ice (east - west) — same as before.
Best-Option Callout: As the puck approaches, call out (verbally or mentally) which support option gives the puck the best next condition (strong side, middle, weak side, or underneath).
Reflection: After each rep, reflect — did you identify multiple options with your scan? Did you choose the option that improved the conditions of the puck the most?
Defensemen:
Before you collect a puck on the offensive blueline, take a moment to be intentional with your eyes. Start by scanning in front of you, is the strong-side winger pressuring? Then glance toward the midline to find your partner and check for weak-side pressure. Before the puck even reaches your stick, you should already know what gives it the best next touch: a quick shot, sprinting to the middle, or a pass across.
Forwards:
When you’re along the wall in the defensive zone waiting for a breakout pass, use your eyes to get ahead of the play. Look up first, is the strong-side defenseman pinching or holding the line? Then scan the midline to find your layers of support. Before the puck gets to you, decide what play moves your team up ice the cleanest - skate, pass, chip or delay. The goal is simple: connect your eyes to your decision. Don’t just make a play, make the right play based on what you see.
This builds the link between awareness and action, the key separator in real-time hockey intelligence.
Pro Insight
During extended offensive zone play, watch the puck carrier on your favourite team, the player scans early, identifies two or three potential support options, then chooses the one that leads to a scoring opportunity or continued possession in the offensive zone. It’s never pre-determined, the players’ eyes and decisions are connected.
On neutral zone regroups, watch the puck carrier on your favourite team – the player scans early, identifies two or three potential support options, then chooses the one that leads to a controlled zone entry, a dump in, or they remain patient allowing players on the ice to change before re attacking.
Visual Example of Pro Insight
Clip 1 – EX: O-zone extended possession example: JJ Moser demonstrates strong decision making after his scan.
Scanning the ice in front of him allows JJ Moser to see
Cole Smith NSH #36 - Strong Side Winger
Jake Guentzel TBL #59 - F2/Net Front
Dante Fabbro NSH #57 - Net Front Defenseman
Juuse Saros NSH #74 - Goalie
Scanning the ice to the middle allows JJ Moser to see
Nikita Kucherov TBL #86 - F3
Colton Sissons NSH #10 - Defensive Center
Zachary L’Heureux NSH #68 - Weak Side Winger
Clip 2 – EX: O-zone extended possession example: Nick Foligno demonstrates strong decision making after his scan.
Scanning the ice in front of him allows Nick Foligno to see
Zach Bogosian MIN #24 - Strong Side Defenseman
Ivan Barbashev VGK #49 - Strong Side Winger
Scanning the ice to the middle allows Nick Foligno to see
Ryan Hartman MIN #38 - F3 Support
Victor Olofsson VGK #95 - Weak Side Winger
In your next practice, try calling out (verbally or mentally) your “best option” before the puck gets to you. Did the play improve when you trusted your scan? Leave a comment and tell me what you found, your take might be featured in Post #3 of this series.