Get Full Power From Your Wrist Shot!

Are You Getting All of the...

Power out of Your Wrist Shot?

Written by Jeremy Rupke from howtohockey.com

The wrist shot is the most commonly used shot in hockey, but you would be surprised how many players, young and old, are not harnessing all of their power and putting it into their wrist shot.

I know this for a fact because the topic came up in the dressing room at beer leagues. One of the guys asked me why my wrist shot was so much faster then his, and I was half his size. I gave him a few pointers, and many of the other guys were listening and added in their tips. A few days later I had a few players coming up to me and telling me how much of a difference they noticed by following my advice(and practicing of course). These guys are 30 years or older and all it took was a few pointers to help them get more power from their wrist shot.

I have added those pointers below to help you reach your full potential! Some are basic, the other tips are a bit more advanced, but I thought I would include everything.

• Pull the puck back
  
  
  
  • When taking a wrist shot, think of it like a sling shot. The further you can comfortably pull the puck back, the more time the puck spends on the blade of your stick, and the more time you have to transfer energy, and put power into your shot.
    
    
• Start with the puck near the heel
  
  
  
  • When you set the puck up on the blade of your stick it should be near the heel of your stick. The location varies depending on the shot, but no further than the middle of the blade. The puck will roll off of the blade of your stick, so starting with the puck close to the heel allows it to stay on the blade of your stick longer, and add more power to the shot.
    
    
• Flex the stick
  
  
  
  • A lot of the power actually comes from the shaft of your stick. When you lean into the shot, your are storing energy in the shaft of your stick (potential energy) When the shot is released, so is the energy, and a lot of that energy will be transferred into the shot, making your shot a lot more powerful.
    
    
• Weight Transfer
  
  
  
  • This goes hand in hand with flexing the stick. The more you lean into your shot, the more you are transferring weight, and the more power you will get from your shot. If you watch NHL players you will notice a lot of them lift their back leg when they shoot, this is because they are moving all of their weight into the direction of the shot.
    
    
• Use Your Legs
  
  
  
  • Your legs have the most powerful muscles in your body, if you do not use your legs when you shoot, you are missing out on a lot of energy that you could be putting into your shot! It may sound strange (a lot of players think that your wrist shot is all arms) but try it out, use your legs to push into the shot, you may be surprised. Also don't forget to rotate your shoulder and hips when you are shooting, this helps you put even more power into your shot.
    
    
• Follow Through
  
  
  
  • This is something most people learn as a youngster but I thought it was worth repeating. Don't stop pushing, push right through and continue into your follow through. In order to get full power from your wrist shot, you have to continue increasing the speed of your stick, this keeps the puck on the blade of your stick longer. Remember to point your stick where you want the puck to go.

One more tip for aiming

• I thought I would tack this on for extra measure. Many players look down, fire and hit the goalie right in the chest. I see it too many times...solution? Look where you are shooting, you will be surprised how often the puck will go where you are looking and you will score more goals!

Wrist Shot Video - I put this video together to help some of the younger players. Hope this helps!




The last tip is to workout, but I will explain workouts to help your wrist shot power in another article. If you want more articles, videos and tips you can visit my hockey tips website. If you are looking for some more wrist shot tips you can read my article How to take a wrist shot, and if you really want to increase your shot speed; feel free to subscribe to my posts via email as I will be posting some more articles soon with workouts and results of my research (I have been working with a radar gun)
Thanks for reading!

Hockey Shooting Tips

Shooting from the Opposite Wing

One of the advantages of approaching the opponents net on your opposite wing (left handed shooter on the right wing and right handed shooters on the left wing) is that the angle of your shot is closer to the net.

When shooting from your 'regular' side, the puck has to travel at a sharper angle, so it's easier for the goalie to stop.

Here's a great example from Jeff Tambellini:



Notice how he is shooting off his inside (left) leg? This is an important skill to learn to give you more power from your wrist shot when shooting form the opposite wing. You can easily practice this during the warm-up before your next game while everyone is circling the net. Try to place as much weight as possible on your inside leg while still keeping your balance. Power will come with practice.

Here's the same play again 3 day s later. This shooting tip has obviously helped Jeff along the way.

Sedin Slap Pass

No other two players come close to Henrik and Daniel Sedin's uncanny ability to play hockey together. Each seems to know the others position on the ice at all times and can anticipate the others every move.

A great example of this is their patented Slap Pass.

Before the Sedins perfected this play, pucks were either deflected near the goalie, or picked out of the air to redirect a shot that was on its way to the net or perhaps going wide.

The Sedins changed the game by setting up (usually) outside of the slot and (usually) outside of the direct shooting lane in line with the net. Sedin 'A' shoots the puck hard along the ice to Sedin 'B' who is ready to re-direct the shot towards the net with his stick on the ice. The results are usually fantastic.

This is a very tough move to practice, as you need a partner with patience and an accurate shot.

Watch and learn:



As the announcer says, it's a tough play to defend against. Usually the player closest to the goalie is the most dangerous threat, so that's the guy the defenseman covers. Unfortunately that leaves Sedin wide open to perform his magic.

Watch more Hockey Tips Videos on the Hockey Tips YouTube Channel.

Shoot Low to Create a Rebound

When carrying the puck into the offensive zone, it's the defensemean's job to try to push you to the outside lane, away from the prime scoring area in front of the net. If you find yourself quickly apprroaching the corner of the rink, he's done his job.

Now that you've essentially run out of ice, you have 4 basic options.

1. Make a pass to an open player in front of the net
2. Take the puck with you behind the net
3. Stop hard, cut back up the ice, and look for an open teammate
4. Shoot at the net

Many players are reluctant to take a shot from the sharp angle down low because the odds of scoring are so low. While this is true on the initial shot, rebounds often create great scoring chances.

The key is to shoot LOW.

A shot to the goalies body can easily be absorbed and the goalie wont have to move his glove hand very far to catch the puck up high. But if you shoot hard and low and hit the goalie's pads or stick, the puck just may bounce out front.

If your teammate is going hard to the net (as he should be) he has a good chance of getting his stick on that juicy rebound. A lot depends on how well he's covered by the other defenseman, but it's definitely worth a shot.

Raffi Torres shows us how it's done:



Shooting low isn't always as easy as it sounds. Many of the curves on today's sticks are flanged back at the top to help you lift the puck off the ice. Be sure to roll your wrists over during the shot and point the toe of your stick blade at the net to keep the puck low and on target.

As the old saying goes; A shot on goal is never a bad play. While there may be better plays, it's definitely true in this case.

Watch more Hockey Tips Videos on the Hockey Tips YouTube Channel.

One Timer Slap Shot

How to Shoot a One-Timer

A One-timer is simply a slap shot that you shoot as soon as you receive the puck.  Your stick only makes contact with the puck once.

The big advantage to any slap shot is the speed of the shot. Fast, hard shots are harder for the goalie to stop. What you gain in power, you loose in precision and accuracy compared to a wrist, or snap shot.

The goal of a one-timer is get the the puck off fast, hard, and on-net. If you take the time to receive the pass and aim, the goalie has a chance to move back into position and take a way a prime scoring chance.

The key is timing, and it's not easy. You've got to wind up for your shot before the puck arrives. You'll find a short, low windup at about knee level and moving your lower hand down on your stick and getting as low as possible will help. You've got to practice. It's way too easy to fan on your shot, or miss the net if the first time you try a one-timer is in a game. Have a buddy feed you some pucks before a game and blast the into the corner during a warm-up before your next game.

The best time to try a one-timer is when the goalie is out of position. This often happens on cross-ice passes in front of the net. The goalie is setup initially for the player with the puck on one side, then has to quickly move to the other side of the for the one-timer. This play works best with fast, crisp passes. A soft pass usually gives the goalie too much time.

Here's a great example of a one-timer. Malkin is down so low he's practically down on one knee.



Here's the infamous Phaneuf One-timer to Luongo's mask.



Watch more Hockey Tips Videos on the Hockey Tips YouTube Channel.

Slapshot Tips

Adrian Aucoin's Slapshot Tips

Adrian Aucoin shows us some great a slapshot tips and puts a a nice demo:



Slapshot Tips:

• Bend Your knees to get low - Most of your strength comes from your legs and lower body
• Drop your bottom hand low on the stick
• Really lean into the shot
• Hit the ice a couple inches or so behind the puck.
• Hit the ice further back on a one-timer
• Keep your head up so you can aim your shot
• Start with a low back-swing to get the shot off quick
• Transfer your weight towards the target
• Keep your stick low on the Follow through pointing your stick at the target

Aucoin's 102 mile shot at the 2004 All Star shootout with his wooden stick:

How to Aim Your Wristshot

Written by Jeremy Rupke from howtohockey.com

Are you having trouble picking those top corners? Do you want to score more goals, and have a more accurate and consistent wrist shot? Read the tips below to learn how to improve your wrist shot aim.

First it is important to know how to take a wrist shot I assume that you have a decent shot already and now you want to fine tune it and score more goals. In order to improve the aim of your wrist shot there are five things you can do

• Look where you shoot
• It is important to look where you are shooting. This seems obvious, but a lot of players look at their stick to make sure the puck is still there, then shoot the puck into the goalies chest.
• Looking not only helps your accuracy, but also helps you spot a good place to shoot. Look at the net and find an open spot to shoot and then shoot (but not until you follow all the other tips)
• Pull the puck back
• If you just flick the puck, it is only on the blade of your stick for a fraction of a second, this does not give you much time to aim the puck. Pull the puck back and continue to pull it, and then push it in the direction you want it to go.
• Pulling the puck back also helps you improve the power of your wrist shot
• Follow through
• The follow through is important for aiming high or low, and left to right.
• Follow through high to shoot, and follow through low to shoot low
• To aim the puck left or right simple point the toe of the blade where you want the puck to go. This is helpful as it also trains you to roll and flick your wrists during the shot

Jeremy has played hockey since he could walk and loves to teach. Jeremy has his own hockey tips website that is dedicated to making you a better hockey player! If you are looking for more ways to improve wrist shot accuracy and some great tips for hockey visit his blog. Don't forget to subscribe to the articles so you never miss another hockey tip!

Shooting Tip: Shoot Low

Why Shoot Low?

It's far tougher for a goalie to absorb the puck, or catch it with his glove on a low shot, than it is with a high one, so theres' a better chance of rebounds. As most goals are scored from scrambles in front of the net, more rebounds means more goals.

If your shooting through traffic, like from the point, you have a greater chance of having the puck deflected on net with a low shot, either intentionally from your teammate, or off a random skate or leg from any player.

But there's another reason. Watch and learn ...






More: Shooting Tips

4 Reasons to Work on Your Backhand Shot

The Backhand is a tough shot to master. Most players rarely practice their backhand, so why should YOU?

Generally speaking, you should try to shoot on your forehand side whenever possible, but sometimes you have no choice but to shoot backhand.

4 Reasons to Work on Your Backhand

1. You’re on a breakaway, the goalie is way out of the crease, so you decide to deke. If you’re not confident in your backhand, you’ll always deke to your forehand. Surprise the goalie by going to your backhand. Roof it and send his water bottle flying off the top of the net. Highlight reel for sure!
   
   
2. You’re in close to the net and receive a pass on your backhand. If there’s someone on you, better to shoot backhand than to pull it to your forehand and risk getting checked. (see Eric Stall video below.)
   
   
3. You’re deep in your own end and you’ve got to clear the puck out of the zone using your backhand. A feeble backhand clearing attempt can easily result in the opposing team stealing the puck. No highlight reel for you!
   
   
4. You’re heading towards the net on your opposite wing with just one player between you and the goalie. Carrying the puck on your backhand with one hand on the stick and your other arm blocking the defender is a powerful way to cut into the slot.
   
   If you can bring the puck to your forehand, you’ve got a great chance of flipping it past the goalie. But sometimes you just run out of room. At this point, going behind the net is an option, but so is a backhand shot on goal. A shot on net isn’t always the best play, but it’s never a bad play.

Toronto’s Nikolai Kulemin Awesome Backhand Goal vs St.Louis



Eric Stall Receives a quick pass on his backhand and pops in it top shelf on Niittymaki with his backhand.

In a tight situation, a shooting backhand may be your best option. Practice the basics and you’ll have a decent backhand shot when you need it the most.

More Shooting Tips: How to Shoot Backhand
More Shooting Tips: Wrist Shot

How to Deke a Goalie

How to Deke a Goalie in Hockey

Here’s a shootout tip from Sportsnet color commentator, John Garret mentioned during the Canucks game Monday night against Colorado.

Deke or shoot?

Whenever you’re on a breakaway, if the goalie is way out of his crease, you have a better chance at dekeing, rather than shooting. The Goalie has cut off the angles, and there’s not much open net to shoot at.

If the goalie is deep back in the net, there will be more open net to aim for, so you’ll usually have better luck with a shot, rather than a deke.

John Garret played goalie for
the Canucks in the early eighties.

Goalies will Back Up

As soon as a goalie realizes the forward has a breakaway, he will quickly skate out in front of the crease, then back up as you move in closer. On a breakaway during the game, the forward is likely to be moving pretty fast, so the rate the goalie backs up is fairly similar for most breakaways.

A Shootout is NOT a Breakaway.

During a shootout, it’s a different story. The shooter has all the time in the world with nobody chasing them down. Most players still come in pretty fast on a shootout, just like during the game. They are exited, nervous, and their adrenaline is pumping. The goalie will then back up as his typical pace as well.

Slow Down.

If you decide to shoot, rather than deke the goalie, slow down as your approach to the net. Not only does slowing down give you more time to aim and shoot, but most goalies will continue to back up at their usual pace. This will open up more of the net than if you come in at breakaway speed.

So the next time you find yourself in a shootout or a taking a penalty shot, slow down, pick a corner and shoot!

Another option is to fake your initial shot, then shoot. Your fake will either freeze the goalie or get him moving the wrong way.

Here's a nice fake by Samuelson:

More Shooting Tips

Shooting Tips: Wrist Shot
Shooting Tips: Backhand Shot

Alex Kovalev Shooting Tip

Shooting Tips: Backhand Shot

The Backhand shot feels unnatural and awkward. The first time you try it, it almost seems impossible to get any power behind it.

All the same elements that go into a good wrist shot go into a strong backhand shot.

Backhand Shot Basics

• Pull the puck back to (or past) your rear leg.
• “Load Up” by leaning on your rear leg.
• Start with the puck on the heel of your stick, and roll it down the blade as you shoot.
• Transfer your weight to your front leg.
• Roll your wrists over as you follow through.
• Point the tip of your blade to where you want the puck to go.

Wrist Shot vs Backhand Shot

• The curve of the stick is working against you on your backhand. You only have the distance between the heel, and the point where the blade starts to curve to work with. Once the puck rolls past the mid-point, you’ve lost control and you can’t possibly get anything behind it. You’ve got to release the puck before the puck rolls past the mid-point of your curve.
  
  
• While pulling the puck back is important to generate power for both shots, you can actually shoot the puck fairly hard with a wrist shot, even if you don’t pull it back. No dice with the backhand. You MUST pull it back to get any power at all.
  
  
• Rolling your wrists ALL THE WAY over is crucial on your backhand. This gives you the necessary power and accuracy to have any chance of scoring. This is not easy as it requires a fair bit of strength and timing. The backside of the blade of your stick should be parallel to the ice at the end of your follow through.

While the backhand shot isn’t used very often, it’s a key weapon to have at your disposal. Practice a few shots against the boards before every game, and you will become more and more confident, and score more goals!


Zach Parise Backhand Goal against Lundqvist

More Shooting Tips: Wrist Shot
4 Reasons to Work on Your Backhand

Shooting Tips: Wrist Shot

One of the keys to a powerful, accurate wrist shot is to keep the blade of your stick in a straight path towards the target during the entire shot. The angle of your stick blade should also remain as flat to the target as possible.

It's a lot harder to control the direction of your shot when the puck is traveling in an arc-shaped path around your body. Changing the angle of your stick blade during your shot adds yet another factor that you have to compensate for. You golfers know exactly what I'm talking about.

Here's a great shooting tip I was given at my hockey skills class a few weeks ago.

When you bring the puck back behind you, move your front arm across your body, so both your stick and your front hand are behind you. With your stick now lined up with your stick blade, it allows you to tilt the blade of your stick over the puck and keep your stick blade perpendicular to the target.

Keep your stick in line with your blade throughout the shot as you transfer your weight to your front foot. Roll your wrists over to shoot and point your stick where you want the puck to go on the follow through. Shoot low for the rebound!!





Notice how her top hand is back across her body, and her stick stays in line with the stick blade throughout the shot.

If you keep your leading arm in front of you (like I was doing) you're forced to change the angle of your blade when you try to tilt your stick to cup the puck. With your arm out in front, you have to move it out of the way in order to keep the puck in a straight line towards then net as you follow through. Either that, or you push the puck in an arc-shaped path; first away from you, then towards at the end of your shot. No wonder I can't shoot straight!

Try This.

Line up 10 feet from the boards along the blue line and aim for the blue line paint up the boards. Keep the puck straight along the blue line for the entire shot. It may feel awkward when you first try to shoot this way, but the improvement in power and accuracy is almost immediate. I had to force myself to shoot this way in the pre-game warm ups for a few weeks before it came naturally. I still revert to my old method when I panic, which unfortunately, is a lot.

Try it, I hope it helps!


Here's a few more Shooting Tips

CBC Shooting TIPs
USA Hockey Shooting Tips
Whockey Shooting Tips
Dunedin Shooting Tips

Hockey Tips: Backhand Shot

Shooting by Alex Kovalev

Here’s a great Hockey tip from Alex Kovalev on shooting in this Warrior Commercial:

The key point is to use the shaft of your stick to generate power.

Check out more Kovalev craziness at the Warrior site