6. Shooting Basics

The term "wrist shot" is actually quite misleading. A good wrist shot requires you to use your whole body, not only your wrists, to get power into the shot! Start the wrist shot just as you would start a good forehand pass. Place the puck back by your rear leg as you stand perpendicular to your intended target. Place most of your weight on your rear leg. Feel as if you are getting set to give a powerful push with your rear leg. Begin to transfer your weight and power to your front leg as you sweep the puck forward. Start to lift your head so that you can see the target. Try to coordinate the release of the puck with the transfer of weight and power to your front leg. But this isn't over yet. Follow through with your stick, low for a low shot, high for a high shot.

              

 

This shot is similar to a backhand pass, except that you must get your upper body and legs into the shot, just as you do when making a forward wrist shot. Stand sideways to your intended target. Start with the puck back by your rear leg. Feel yourself getting set to transfer your power and weight onto your front leg. As you sweep the puck forward, start to transfer your weight onto your front leg and feel that you are really getting your upper body behind the shot. Just as in a good wrist shot, you must follow through!

       

This is probably the most glamorous shot in the game, but most goalies love the slap shot because they can see your setting up for it a mile away. It also tends to be the least accurate means of shooting for most players! The slap shot takes a lot of practice and coordination, so don't be disappointed if you haven't got an instantly amazing slap shot yet. Stand sideways to your intended target. Place the puck between your skates, not too far forward. Start to bring your stick back and transfer most of your weight onto your back leg. As you do so, slide your lower hand a little farther down the shaft of your stick. Try to strike the ground a little behind the puck. This will momentarily slow the stick down and build up a flex in the shaft of the stick as you strike the ground.

             

As you strike the ground with your stick, swing right through the puck, and stay down in order to keep the momentum going. Feel extra power through your hips and legs. Now, as in the wrist and backhand shots, follow through to keep the momentum going. Follow through high for a high shot, and low for a low shot.

This is one of the most useful shots in hockey. Harder than a wrist shot and more accurate than a slap shot, the snap shot is really a combination of both. Start the snap shot just as you would start a wrist shot. Sweep the puck forward, but when the puck gets midway between your skates, lift the blade of the stick off the ground just a few inches. You are going to do a mini slap shot. After you have interrupted your wrist shot, start to transfer your weight onto your front leg. Bring your blade into contact with the puck, at the same time giving a snap with your wrists so that the toe of your blade points towards your intended target. Don't forget to follow-through!

             

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