Last summer I worked on my slapshot and ended up increasing my slapshot speed by 20 MPH. If you want some help with your slapshot you can see the basics and links to other related videos and articles on our how to take a slapshot article, but this summer I want to see how much I can improve my wrist shot and snapshot. I also want to help others improve their shot so I am doing a case study and sharing all the little things that help me along the way.

Wristshot / Snapshot challenge Details

• Current speed of wrist shot and snapshot about 50 MPH
• Shooting 100 + pucks a day (taking the odd day off of course)
• Goal is to reach 60 MPH consistently
• Using a hockey radar gun to track my progress
• Will update my status every week or so via our Youtube, our Facebook or this blog

Snapshot / Wristshot Challenge First Week

Hockey Training Aids I Use

Use our coupon code to save $10 on any of the items below – coupon code: HOWHCKY001

• EZ Goal + Backstop – Had these for about 2 years, still holding up but the posts are dented, and the net is ripped. For the price I say it’s a good deal, but if you have a hard shot you will beat the net up a bit. It’s your best option unless you want to pay $600 + for an actual regulation on-ice net, but those things are HEAVY! Check out my ez goal review
• Roll up shooting pad – Had it for about two years, loses some of it’s “slipperyness” after a bit of use, but still nice to stickhandle and shoot off, your sticks will last longer (bottom doesn’t wear away). We have a Shooting pad review if you are interested.
• Radar Gun – I love this thing, I’ve dropped it, left it in (light) rain and hit it with pucks and it still works (although it feels like it’s really cheap so maybe I am just lucky). It doesn’t cost TOO much and it is a huge motivation to work on your shot because you can see how much you are improving. Check out my hockey radar gun review for more info.

The one-timer is a great shot if you can do it properly, it is also a great way to embarrass yourself on the ice if you don’t know how to do it properly. There is nothing worse than completely missing the puck, or sending a muffin towards the net that the goalie easily gloves. In this article and video we will share a number of tips on how to perfect the one timer.

Important note: If you do not know how to take a slapshot, do not even attempt one-timers, it is crucial that you know how to take a decent slap shot before you can learn how to take a one timer. For help with your slapshot check out our article on how to take a slapshot. If you already have a grasp of the slapshot then check out our article and video filled with slapshot tips and our other article and video on increasing slapshot power.

One-Timer Video

In this video we talk about three different types of one-timers, they include standing still, skating, and skating backwards. We also share a little trick at the end on how to go top shelf with a one timer from in close to the net.

Tips for Practicing the One Timer

• You need to know how to take a slapshot before you will be able to have a good one timer
• The key to a good one timer involves two things, timing and body positioning
• One Timer Timing
• When timing your shot you need to read how fast the puck is coming at you, you want to strike the puck just like you would with a regular slapshot but when the puck is moving this requires some good timing.
• When you start practicing your timing start with slow passes, and low wind-ups. Don’t try to kill the puck every time, just try to connect with it
• After you get better you can try bigger wind-ups and faster passes, soon you should be able to connect with almost any pass
• If the puck is coming at you slow, you can take your time with the wind up
• If the puck is coming at you fast you need a fast wind-up and you will need to start your swing a bit earlier (so that you can connect with the puck in that perfect area)
• One Timer Body Positioning
• You will only have a few seconds to adjust your body position once you see the puck coming towards you. You need to ensure that you receive the pass in the “slapshot zone” in order to get the one timer off properly. Remember where you normally hit the puck with a regular slapshot, and try to move your body so that you get the puck in that zone.
• Adjusting your body position involves taking a stride forwards, backwards or to the sides, if you get a bad pass do not be afraid to bail on the one timer. It is better to just catch the pass and go for a normal shot, than missing the puck, or sending a really weak shot on net.

Dropping the Knee in a One-Timer

A popular trick that some players do to get the puck up high with a one-timer is to drop their knee (We show you how to do this move in the video above). This allows the play to get under the puck and lift it up quickly, while still allowing them to put power on the shot. Brett Hull made this move popular near the end of his career and soon a lot of other NHL players were doing it. Take a look at the video below.

Brett Hull uses this move at 1:08 2:27 6:56

Last summer we wrote a bunch of articles and made quite a few videos to help with stuff like shooting and stickhandling. I get quite a few emails asking for drills or tips for ways to improve these skills off the ice so I thought I would make a collection of links to the articles we have made in the past that will help you this summer.

Off Ice Stickhandling Tips

• How To Stickhandle
  • This article and video share some great tips on stickhandling. There is also a video that every hockey player should watch because I share some tips that helped me improve my stickhandling A LOT
• How To Toe Drag
  • This article and video show you how you can perfect the toe-drag off the ice. I also share a few helpful tips that should help you avoid a few common mistakes when trying to learn.
• 20 Off-ice Stickhandling Drills
  • This article and series of videos from USA Hockey will help give you ideas for all kinds of stickhandling drills you can do at home on your shooting pad

Off Ice Slapshot Training

• How to improve slapshot power and technique
  • Last summer I did a slapshot challenge and was able to improve my slapshot power by 20 MPH! In this article and video I share some tips that really helped
• how to improve slapshot accuracy
  • What good is a powerful shot if you put it 5 feet wide every time, or can’t control where it is going. I show you a bunch of tips for controlling your x and y axis
• Slapshot Tips
  • This article and video goes over some of the common mistakes that people make when trying to learn the slapshot. Watching the video and reading the tips should help you avoid cheating, and help you get the most power from your slapshot

Off Ice Snapshot Tips

• How to take a snapshot
  • There is only one article for the snapshot but I give you a lot of things to practice.

Off Ice Wristshot Tips

• How to take a wrist shot
  • This is a basic article and video showing you how to take a wrist shot. In the video I sum it up in a minute!
• How to improve wrist shot accuracy
  • In this article I give you a bunch of tips for improving wrist shot accuracy and include two videos for shooting high, and for shooting low
• The two types of Wrist Shots
  • This is one of my favourite articles and videos. The video is a bit long but it explains something that I think a lot of beginner players don’t know about and it is very important if you want to score more goals

Recommended products for the Summer

• Roll-up Shooting Pad
  • I love this thing and use it all the time. I had one in my basement and one outside so I could shoot outside and stickhandle in the basement. I later installed the dryland training tiles which are pretty sweet but a tad expensive
• Speet-Trac Radar Gun
  • This is the radar gun I used in the slapshot challenge to improve my speed by 20MPH. The radar gun had a huge roll in helping me improve by giving me instant feedback. It is great for training by yourself, or with friends (you can have a lot of fun challenging them)
• Green biscuit
  • This is by far the best off ice puck out there. The only downfall is that you can’t shoot with it, but it works AMAZINGLY on concrete and ashphalt. I suggest you order 3 or 4 at a time because the shipping is pretty much the same for one puck or 4, and you WILL love it.
• EZ-Goal
  • I got this hockey net last year and beat the snot out of it, but it is still standing. I have dented the posts and ripped the net (150 slapshots a day for a summer will do that to a net) but with a bit of shoelace I fixed the mesh, and the posts are still very solid even with the odd dent (don’t forget I was shooting at 75MPH)
• Slide board
  
  • It is tough to practice your skating over the summer, and when you are stickhandling it sucks to stand still. The slideboard will replicate the motion of skating anywhere in your house. I use my slideboard all the time when stickhandling so it feels more like what it will feel like on the ice.
• A handful of cheap-o hockey sticks
  • If you don’t already have a few cheap sticks I suggest you get some. I always have a hockey stick in my car, a few in my garage and a few in my basement. When friends come over they always have a stick to use, and when I break one of mine I always have another to use. Cheap sticks are good for the summer because the concrete will wear down the blade in no-time, and you don’t want to use your $100 twig! Check this link for a place to buy cheap sticks and other hockey gear

We have had a number of requests for a video on how to shoot while skating. Ken and I went out the other day and shot a few videos, so far we have two up on youtube with another one coming soon. So far we have the slapshot, and the snapshot so that is what I will cover in this article

How to take a Slapshot While Skating

The slapshot is a tricky shot to master, before you learn how to take a slapshot while skating I would recommend learning how to take a slapshot while standing still. A lot of people when they are first learning develop some bad habits, so it is important to learn the proper technique. Another important aspect is using your ENTIRE body to get power, not just the arms. For more on that read our article on how to take a slapshot and the follow up articles at the bottom with more info.

Prep the puck – One issue that some players might have is prepping the puck. When shooting while standing still the player will set the puck up, and then shoot. If the player sets the puck up in the same spot while skating the puck could end up a few inches behind by the time you are ready to take the slapshot.

When you are setting up for the slapshot while skating, you have two options. You can either push the puck a little bit ahead and then really skate into it, or just make sure the puck is going the same speed as you, and get a nice quick shot off.

Tips for take a slapshot while skating

• Prep the puck by pushing it a bit in front of you, or ensuring it is going the same speed as you are before you wind up
• Use the entire body to get power, use your arms, core muscles and legs
• Really push into the shot with your back leg

Slapshot While Skating Video

How to Take a Snapshot While Skating

The snapshot is a tricky shot so I encourage you to practice it at home. We have an article on how to take a snapshot if you need any tips. On the ice there are a few things to consider, positioning, weight transfer and technique.

Positioning – I find that I have a pretty good shot to goal ration from certain areas of the ice. I always opt for a snapshot when I am in close because it gives the goalie less time to set up (get the puck to the net quicker). I also find I have a more powerful snapshot while on my wing. I’m right handed, and I like to take snapshots while on the right side of the net. When I am on the left I like to cut to the center and take a full wrist shot.

Weight Transfer – Your weight transfer is very important, you want to transfer all your weight onto your front foot, or the foot closest to the blade of your stick. This is the opposite of the leg you transfer weight onto for a wrist shot. You can also take a snapshot from the other leg, it just takes a bit longer to get the shot off.

Technique – The technique to taking a snapshot while skating is a bit tricky

• Skate in and have the puck on your shooting side, on your side
• Push off with the leg furthest from the blade of your stick, and sort of lunge onto the other leg
• While pushing off with your back leg and transferring the weight onto your front leg, pull the puck in towards your body and towards the net
• Now use a quick snap from your wrists to elevate the puck and put power on it

How to take a Snapshot While Skating Video

The snapshot is a very important shot in hockey. When players first start playing they will learn how to perfect the wrist shot, the backhander, and later the slapshot. Some hockey players will naturally learn the snapshot, but others have to be taught, and in my opinion it is better to learn the different techniques, where to use a snapshot, and how it can help you score more goals. In this tutorial we are going to show you how to take a snapshot, the different types of snapshots, the advantages of a snapshot, and when you should take a snapshot (the best chance of scoring a goal)

Two Types of Snapshots

When I was a kid I was taught how to take a snapshot, I was taught the old school way of shooting, but now I use the “evolved” version of the snapshot. This is just what I have observed, but there does seem to be a big difference in the two shots so I thought I would clear things up here (for the older players and younger players)

Old School Snapshot

The old way of taking a snapshot was basically a slapshot, but with very little set up time. Instead of doing a full wind-up and hammering the puck, you lift the blade of the stick about a foot off the ice, and then quickly shoot. For this method the steps are

• Bring the blade about a foot off the ice
• Quickly shoot (snap)
• Hit the ice a few inches behind the puck to load the stick
• Ensure you transfer your weight
• Roll the wrists in the follow through and point the toe of the blade to aim where the puck goes.

For the most power you still need a bit of a wind-up, and transfer weight onto the foot furthest from the blade of your stick (you have to “step into” the shot which takes a bit more time) You can read my article on the two types of wrist shots for more information on transferring your weight onto different feet.

The New Snapshot

The new snapshot is a method that I see a lot of NHL hockey players using and also high level players. This shot requires almost no set-up time, and relies heavily on proper technique, and the flex of the stick to generate power. The advantage of this shot is that you can go from stickhandling to shooting almost instantly. With a quick release you can score more goals because the goalie will not have any clues that you are going to shoot and you will be able to catch them off guard and out of position. I will list the steps of the snapshot below

Snapshot with set-up

• Draw the puck back a bit to set it up
• Pull the puck forwards, and towards your body a bit. With a lot of practice you can use the toe of the blade to pull the puck in
• The puck will now be moving on an angle towards your body, and closer to the net
• Now is the time to really snap and shoot the puck
• The puck will be a few inches in front of the blade of your stick, this is the tricky motion that you have to master
• Pull back with your top hand quickly, while also pushing forwards with your bottom hand, this motion will cause the stick to flex, which will give your shot more power
• When you hit the puck, you should then roll your wrists over for extra power and accuracy
• Follow through low and roll your wrists over a lot to close the blade and keep the puck low, follow through high and keep the blade slightly open to shoot high.

Snapshot with no set up

• This shot is easy to do while skating in on the goalie, for extra points do not break your stride while shooting, this will really surprise the goalie
• Instead of pulling the puck back to set up, and get more power you can use the position of your body
• Stickhandle with the puck on your shooting side, and move the puck forwards and backwards, this will allow you to shoot at any second you want
• When you are ready to shoot simply step towards the net with the foot closest to the blade of your stick, this will line the puck up with your front foot
• Now all you have to do is repeat the actions explained in the snapshot with a set up (without the set-up part) and you are good to go.
• Remember to lean into the shot, and the trick is the quick snap, this will give you a powerful shot, and a quick release.

The Advantage of a Snapshot

Snapshots are important to learn because they can be very deceptive, and require very little set-up. If you perfect the snapshot you will be able to shoot without giving any clues to the goaltender, if the goalie is not prepared for your shot you will have a much better chance of scoring.

When to use a snapshot

A full wrist shot will give you the most power, but it takes longer to set up, many players can get a fairly powerful snapshot, but your wrist shot should always be harder. For this reason the wrist shot should be used when you are further away from the net, and you need to get the puck to the net quickly.

For the snapshot you should focus on accuracy, and still have a decent amount of power on it. The best time to use a snapshot is when you are in close to the net. The closer you are to the net, the less time the goalie has to react, and the more scared the goalie will be. If you are in close to the net a quick snap through the legs, or in the bottom corners will beat most goalies. If you have a quick goalie you can fake a shot, and if the goalie goes down, snap a shot up high.

How To Take a Snapshot Video

In this video I show you how to take a snapshot, I talk about the best times to use the snapshot, and even show you a few clips of me snapping some shots off in my backyard. If you want to show off your snapshot then upload a video response to this video on youtube.

I hear a lot of requests on hockey forums like modsquad hockey and the rink on hfboards.com about the curve of a hockey stick. Questions like “what is the best curve for shooting”, “what is the best curve for a toe drag”, “what curve should I use for saucer passes, or to score more goals”. I thought that it would be great to have a detailed guide to the curve, so hockey players could decide which one is best for them.

Luckily I found one published on the physics of hockey website. The Author, Alain Haché was kind enough to let me post the article here on How To Hockey.

Hockey sticks: what’s in a curve?

Alain Haché, Ph.D.
Université de Moncton, Canada

Because hockey sticks come in so many shapes, it can be hard to make sense of it all. One feature of particular importance is the blade – the only point of contact between the player and the puck. Players attach a lot of importance to the way it is curved. Looking at the Koho™ sticks in the figure bellow, you see that they each one carries a unique curvature pattern. There more to a curve than left- and right-bend indeed.

Figure 1: a few sticks by Koho™

The stick blade, a curved and twisted surface, is complex enough that it can’t be precisely described in just a few words or numbers. Nonetheless, there are some key aspects that need to be considered, the first of which is the amount of curvature in the blade. The more U-shaped it is, the more pronounced the curve. Hockey leagues such as the NHL impose a limit on the amount of curvature:

The curvature of the blade of the stick shall be restricted in such a way that the distance of a perpendicular line measured from a straight line drawn from any point at the heel to the end of the blade to the point of maximum curvature shall not exceed three-quarter of an inch (¾”). NHL Rulebook 2007.

If you can’t picture this strange verbiage, the following drawing should help:

Figure 2: measurement of curve depth

The rule says that the red line should not be longer than ¾ of an inch, or 1.9 cm. Some people use the dime technique (not quite ¾”, but close) whereby the coin shouldn’t slip vertically underneath the blade when its lying against the floor, but nowadays NHL referees have fancier measuring gadgets to control illegal sticks. Note that the ¾’’ figure is an increase from ½’’ as of 2006. We will discuss the implications of that rule change later.
A second key aspect is where the curve begins on the blade. A blade can be curved like a circle, smoothly and uniformly, but sometimes it is not. Take a look at the Reebok™ and Easton™ sticks in Figure 3: the “Yzerman” stick has a curve that begins in the middle of the blade whereas the “Amonte” one starts at the heel. These are called “center” and “heel” curves, respectively. A third one is called the “toe curve” and has a bend closer to the end of the blade. While the difference between center- and heel-curves is mostly a matter of preference (hockey players can be very picky), a toe-curve makes scooping the puck away from someone else a little easier.

Figure 3: sticks by Reebok™ and Easton™

Next there is the “loft” or “face” of the blade. The loft is the tilt angle of the blade; you can see it when holding the stick normally and looking from the above. A blade that tips backward is said to be more “open faced”, very much like a 9 iron is compared to a 3 iron in golf. For example, notice in Figure 1 how the “Poti” blade has more loft than the “Jagr” blade. As in golf, the more tilt a hockey stick has, the easier it is to lift the puck up.

If blades have a heel they also have a toe. The toe is the very end of the blade, and it comes in two basic shapes: round and square, as see Figure 4 shows. The difference is that a square toe offers more blocking area and the round toe gives more puck control at the tip.

Figure 4: round and square toes

Finally, the “lie” is the angle the blade makes relative to the shaft. It’s a numbers between 4 and 8 printed in front of the shaft. With a proper lie, the bottom of the blade is flat against the ice when the player is holding the stick normally.

How does the curve affect shooting?

It is a common misconception that curved blades became popular because they produce faster shots. The truth is, the curve is mostly about puck control, not puck speed. A curved blade makes the following three actions easier to achieve:

1. Consistency: the curve effectively forms a pocket at the bottom of which the puck will tend to go. When the puck leaves the stick always at the same place, the player passes and shoots more consistently.
2. Control: it’s easier to scoop the puck and take it quickly around an opponent with a curved blade. Other tricks are also made easier, like grabbing the puck at the tip of the blade and shooting it upward all in one move.
3. Puck spin: it can hardly be seen by eye, but a curve permits more puck spin

Spinning imparts the puck more stability, like a football. In a “saucer pass”, spin is especially important because the puck must land flat on the ice. Although it is technically possible spin the puck with a straight blade, it can be done better and more consistently with a curved blade. Applying cloth tape to the blade also adds adhesion and helps the puck spin.

Figure 5: spinning the puck with a curved blade

Spinning the puck is also done by goalies, and indeed most of them use slightly curved sticks for that purpose.

What about the negatives aspects of a curve? What helps the forehand shot hurts the backhander, unfortunately. Some accuracy is lost in that respect, but considering the popularity of the curved stick in the NHL, it seems that the benefits win over the drawbacks.

The reason why the NHL sets a curvature limit is probably to avoid excessive puck control. Can you imagine blades shaped like half-circles? Just grab the puck and go! Some argue that straighter blades are safer because they tend to keep the shots low. Deeper curves means easier upward shots, but the loft is probably the more important factor, especially in a slapshot where puck control is limited to a very short impact time. When the league decided in 2006 to increase the limit from ½ to ¾’’ (at par with the International Ice Hockey Federation), some goalies and defensemen expressed concerns about flying pucks. Their concerns may be justified if the new rule allows for more loft than before. However, according to the rule statement, it is not clear whether the “point of maximum curvature” is taken anywhere on the blade, not just at the bottom. If so, the new rule will allow players to put more loft (or twist) on their stick, making high shots more likely.

What curve should you choose?

Now that we understand blade curve basics, how should you decide on your next purchase? If you’re an experienced player you won’t need advice, as you already know what works best for you. High-level players select their stick based on their position (defense or forward) and on what type of curve they are accustomed to. Beginners, on the other hand, don’t need to go into the nitty-gritty and should select a curve that is neither flat nor overly bent. Buy what feels right, and as you get used to the stick, you might develop a preference for it. After all, an accurate pass, a hard slap shot and good puck control is above all a matter of practice and skills. But of course, don’t forget to blame your stick for misfires.

Big thanks to the guys at the physics of hockey for this article. Check out their website for more cool hockey articles.

For the last few months a lot of our readers have been participating in the slapshot challenge where we have shown you how to take a slapshot, how to improve your slapshot power, slapshot tips and where slapshot power comes from. Now we are going to take a break from learning to break the glass with your slapshot and teach you how to pick the corners.

Improving the aim of your slapshot in five easy steps

Here are a few tips that you should remember when practicing your aim

1. Look at where you are shooting
2. Align your body properly
3. Practice proper form
4. Practice your follow through and rolling the wrists
5. Make sure you have the right stick

I will now go into more detail on how you can get better aim with your slapshot. In my article about where slapshot power comes from I mentioned the arms, legs, core muscles, and stick. If you have learned how to improve your slapshot power you should now be using all of those body parts to generate power, but now we have to learn how to use those body parts to get better aim.

Using Your Feet

You might think I am crazy, but you can actually improve your slapshot accuracy with your feet. I mentioned this in the how to improve wrist shot accuracy article and the same is true for taking a slapshot. When you are skating, you point your feet where you want to go, and when you are shooting you point your feet (or foot) where you want the puck to go. Pointing your foot will properly align your body, which means the rest of your body will be in a good position to take an accurate slapshot.

What you want to do is point the toe of the foot that you transfer your weight onto towards the side of the net you are shooting for. This not only helps you improve your accuracy, but also your power. By pointing your toe towards the target, and transferring your weight you will be moving your energy towards the net, which helps put more power into your shot.

Using Your Arms

This is where proper form comes into play, if your back swing looks like your golf swing then we have problems! You should practice nailing down your form so that there are very few inconsistencies. If your slapshot is different every time, then your aim will be different every time.

For the best aim you want to be able to draw a line from where you start your backswing, where the blade hits the ice (or ground), where the blade contacts the puck, and where you follow through to. Now if we put an arrow at the end of that imaginary line, that should be where the puck went

Using Your Stick

Your stick plays a big roll in having a great slapshot, but you have to know how to use it. Here are a few tips to using your stick properly

• Make sure the flex is right for you
• Make sure your stick is the right height
• Hold the stick in the right spot
• Contact the ground / ice before hitting the puck
• Close or open the blade in the follow through to control height

Flexing the stick is important to get the puck off the ice, the recoil of the shaft and blade help get the puck up. DO NOT try to chip the puck, you will get NO power!

I covered most of those points in the how to take a slapshot article, but I will touch on a few of them now. For flex and the height of the stick these are usually personal preference, but if you are new (or newer) to hockey I would suggest using half your body weight as a starting point for your flex, and then going up or down depending on your strength.

How to Put the Puck Top Shelf, or Nice and Low

Controlling the height of the puck is a problem that a lot of players have. Some hockey players have the problem of rifling the puck over the net, while other can’t seem to get it off the ice; I will show you how you can do both!

How to get slapshots off the ice - The biggest problem I see here is players “cheating” they try the proper slapshot form a few times and can’t get it right, so they just chip the puck. This is when players make the blade of their stick like a wedge and chip at it like it is a golf ball BIG MISTAKE. The best way to take a slap shot is by hitting the ice first, with the blade of your stick cupped over a bit. This method, and angle allow the stick, and the blade to flex back before hitting the puck, now all you have to do is follow through properly and the puck should come off the ice. If you are using the proper technique and the stick is not flexing then try using a lower flex stick! If you want the puck to come off the ice then follow through high, and leave the blade of the stick open a bit (don’t roll your hands all the way over) remember to point the toe of the blade of the stick where you want the puck to go.

How to get the puck up when in close to the net – This is another problem some players have, they can pick the corner from the blue line, but not from the hash marks or closer. What you want to do here is change your form a bit, you don’t need a massive wind up, and beast of a shot when you are in close. The technique I use is not the most powerful, but it works. I find getting lower to the ice, and dipping your back shoulder helps you get under the puck more and get it up quickly (shown in video)

How to keep slapshots low – This is a fairly easy fix because most players already know how to take a shot, but they just want to keep them low. I find there are two things that really affect the height of the puck, follow through, and rolling the wrists. If you want to keep the puck low, keep the blade nice and low to the ice for the entire follow through, and start to roll your wrists over right when you contact the puck. By rolling your wrists you will be closing the blade of the stick, and this motion will keep the puck down.

Slapshot Accuracy Video

In this video I show you how to aim left, right, high and low and I even pick a couple of the corners myself just to prove I know what I am talking about

If you like this video you can subscribe to our channel on Youtube

Yes there are two types of wrists shots in hockey, yet I am amazed at how many people are unaware of this fact. A newcomer to the game of hockey asked for some wrist shot tips in a popular hockey forum. Many beer leaguers who have been playing hockey for years tried to help. The problem was that different people were teaching different types of wrist shots as if they were the same type. I could not find one good article that addresses both types of wrist shots so I thought I would clear things up.

Two types of wrist shots

Both types of wrist shots are commonly used in hockey, and both have their pros and cons. The first one I will discuss is the first type of wrist shot you should learn, and also the most powerful. The second type of wrist shot is great for getting a quick shot off but not quite as powerful as the first.

The most powerful type of wrist shot

This is the first type of wrist shot you should learn because it teaches the fundamentals of how to take a wrist shot. For this type of wrist shot the player rotates the shoulders and trunk and draws the puck back, and across the body. Rotating at the trunk allows the player to bring the puck further back which will result in a more powerful shot.

The player will now execute the wrist shot by pulling the puck toward the net, rotating the shoulders and trunk towards the net, and transferring weight onto the leg opposite of their stick handiness (right handed shot transfers weight onto left leg)

This type of wrist shot allows the player to derive power from their core muscles, and also allows them to transfer more energy and power into their shot. The puck will be on the blade of the stick longer as well which will also result in more power.

The quick release wrist shot

This type of wrist shot is great if you want to surprise the goalie with a quick snapper. In fact some say this type of wrist shot is a mix between wrist shot and snapshot (it can be depending on how you execute it)

For this type of wrist shot the player keeps their chest facing the net and draws the puck behind them, and on their shooting side.

The player then leans into the shot, while quickly snapping the puck towards the net. For this shot the weight is transferred onto the same leg as the way the player shoots (right handed player transfers weight onto right leg) This type of wrist shot derives less power from the core and leg muscles, which results in a weaker shot.

In order to get as much power as possible from this shot the player must learn to use the flex of their stick to help generate power. Some NHL players refer to this as slingshotting the puck at the net ( especially if you have a low flex stick) the loss in power in this shot is made up with the quick set up and release.Know that you know about the two types of wrist shots, you should learn when to use each type of shot.

Where to use the powerful wrist shot

The powerful wrist shot is a great tool for defencemen to use. This type of shot can be used in situations when a slapshot would take to long to set up, or a more accurate shot is needed.

My favourite use of this shot is when I am coming into the offensize zone on the off wing, with one defencemen at the blue line. I penetrate the offensive zone near the boards, and the defence will now be near the top of the circle. At this point I push the puck forwards as if I am going to go hard into the corner or dump the puck in. Then I pull the puck back into position for the powerful wrist shot and cut to the cemtre. I shoot for the side of the net that I just came from. I know the goalie will be moving from the side I just came from, to the centre of the net, which gives me a good spot to shoot. The defence can also provide a partial screen which will increase chamces of scoring. (explained in the video as well for all you visual learners)

Where to use quick wrist shots

The best time to use the quick wrist shot is when you are in close to the net. The faster you can get the shot off the better. My favorite way to score with a quick wrist shot is to skate in, pick a spot and let it rip. The key to scoring this way is accuracy, and not giving any clues that you are going to shoot. A great way to perfect this is to practice executing the quick wrist shot without breaking your stride.

Another great way to score with the quick wrist shot is through the five hole. The closer you are to the goalie, the less time the goalie has to close the gap, and the better chance you have to score.

Two Types of Wrist Shot Video

This video shows you how to take each type of wrist shot, the difference between them, the benefits of each shot, and when the best time to use each shot is.

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These tips should help you better utilize your wrist shot and score more goals. For more great tips you can enter your name and email in the box below

This article is meant to help seasoned hockey players add more speed to their slapshot. If you are new to hockey, you may want to read how to take a slapshot, practice a lot, and then return here.

A vital aspect in maximizing your slapshot power is understanding where the power comes from. Most new players, and some old, believe that all of the power in the slapshot comes from the arms. The truth is that the arms are only one of many places you should obtain power from for a powerful slapshot. I have compiled a list below that explains every part of the body involved in the slapshot, and how you can use those muscles to put more power into your slapshot

Where Power Comes From

Your legs
The legs are the first place you go for power. Set the shot up, wind up, and then push off with your back leg. This is how you begin to transfer weight.
Your arms and hands
Of course your arms are also important in generating power for your slapshot. You generate power from your arms by winding up, then pulling down with both hands, and then really pushing through with your bottom hand in the follow through. Remember to roll your wrists in the follow through for a bit of extra power, and better accuracy. Another tip is to quickly transfer from back swing to downswing. This quick transition helps generate a bit of energy from the elastic properties of your muscles. This power would be lost if you pause at the top of the back swing. A lot of the power generated from your arms comes from the biceps and triceps
Core muscles
You know that six pack you have under your beer belly? Time to use it. Your core muscles (basically your body minus the arms and legs) provides a lot of power in your slapshot. When you wind up you will be turning your upper body away from the net, then during the downswing you will be rotating back towards the net. You want to focus on rotating your upperbody and really harnessing the muscles, especially the pecs and obliques (basically all the muscles on the side of your body) This creates torque and adds power to your shot. I cover this a bit in my video, but for more detail you can also check out this video from Brett Henning – creating power with torque
Shoulders
Your arms do a lot of work in the slapshot, but your shoulders are attached to your arms, so you might as well invite them to the slapshot party. When winding up make sure you rotate your shoulders away from the net, then, like a coiled spring, rotate back toward the net as you shoot. Your shoulders should work with your arms and core muscles to provide a lot of the power in the slapshot.
Stick
When you can start really loading your stick that twig is going to add quite a bit of heat to your slapper. What you want to do with your stick is build potential energy. You do this by hitting the ice first, allowing your stick to flex before it
hits the puck. Then continue to drive through the shot for more power. When the blade hits the puck a lot of that potential energy will be released onto the puck. I find a stiff stick works a lot better than a whippy stick (but only if you can properly flex it), a lot of the potential energy is lost with whippy sticks.

Advanced tip: Most articles recommend hitting the ice 1 to 2 inches behind the puck. This is fine and dandy for beginners, but not for some one with power and a decent shot. If you are only hitting the ice a couple of inches behind the puck, than your stick will not have enough time to fully flex before hitting the puck. If you have a powerful shot already, try hitting the ice about 10 inches behind the puck, and really lean on your stick. I can almost guarantee your shot will be much harder

Some More Slapshot Tips

I made a video to show you some tips that have helped me improve my slapshot power, I also have made a quick list below the video.

In summary in order to have a powerful slapshot you should make sure you are using proper form, and understand where slapshot power comes from. We have already covered where power comes from, so now I will share some key points from another slapshot article that have helped me increase my slapshot by 15 mph

• Have your lower hand about half way down the stick, and really load the shaft
• Bend your knees and push off with your back leg to really drive into the shot
• If you hit the ice to close to the puck, you will not have enough time to load the stick and you will lose power. Try hitting the ice further back, and see if you notice a difference
• Rotate your wrists after you contact the puck, and continue to put power into the follow through

A few more tips that have helped me improve my slapshot involve using different parts of the body to build power. I have summed up the points below

• Power should come from your legs, shoulders, arms, core muscles, and stick
• Rotate your upper body, and use strength from your shoulders and core muscles to add power to the shot.
• By quickly switching from winding up, to shooting, you can use the elastic properties of your muscles to help add a little extra power

These tips should help you understand how to get more power from your shot, and maybe improve a few things you could have been doing wrong. If you have any slapshot tips be sure to add them in the comments section below.

As part of our slapshot challenge it is our mission to help you improve slapshot power and accuracy. In this article we will show you how to turn your muffin of a slapshot into a howitzer.

Proper slapshot technique

Proper technique is the most important aspect of your slapshot, in fact by using a radar gun and tweaking just a few things in my technique, I was able to increase my slapshot by 15 mph. After improving my shot substantially, Ken and I went to the hockey expo in Toronto. There was a radar gun there where anyone could test their shot. One guy was in line in front of us who was absolutely jacked, 6 feet tall and muscles rippling from every where. Ken and I were sure he would be able to hit at least 80mph. This guy steps up and struggles to hit 65, still fast, but Ken and I have a lot less muscle and easily topped 70 mph. It just goes to show that proper form is the first thing you should work on.

Tips to improve slapshot power

After posting the slapshot challenge video on youtube, and starting a forum thread at the rink we got a number of video responses showing their slapshots. We noticed a few common slapshot technique problems that could be easily fixed for more power. Also while working on improving my slapshot technique I noticed a few changes in technique that really improved my slapshot speed. I have made a list below.

Hold the stick in the right location

Holding the stick too close to the blade is common among people learning the slapshot, as it makes it a bit easier to get the puck off the ice. However this is a bad habit that many players form. To get the most power from your slapshot your lower hand should be just below the halfway point of your stick, this allows you to put more flex on the stick. Also by holding the stick too low you will not be able to get full power from your shoulders and arms.

Back swing

Your back swing in your slapshot should not look like a back swing in golf.  You do not want to bring the blade of your stick behind your head, on an angle. The blade of your stick should move more like a pendulum, coming straight back and straight down. If your back swing and down swing is on an angle you will not get as much power from your shot, and you will not be able to flex your stick properly.

Transfer your weight

When you take a slapshot, you want to use your whole body, mot just your arms. A great way to add power to your shot is to step into the shot and get your weight moving forwards. This will help you transfer energy and give you a faster slapshot. Transferring your weight involves using your legs. In order to get power from your legs you should bend your knees, and during the downswing really drive into the shot with your back leg. If you watch NHL players taking slapshots you will notice they all push off with their back leg to get more power. Watch this video and watch Ron Hainseys back leg

Bend your knees

This goes along with transferring your weight. A common mistake in slapshot technique (for beginners) is shooting straight legged. If you are shooting straight legged you will not be able to properly transfer your weight. Bending your knees allows you to push off with your back leg, and drive into the shot.

Roll your wrists and follow through

While practicing my slapshot I noticed that I would often leave the blade of my stick open in my follow through. By rolling my wrist during the follow through, and continuing to push into the shot I added a few MPH to my top speed.

Video to help improve your slapshot technique

I shot this video that shows you how you can improve your slapshot technique and get more power from your shot.

These tips should help a lot of beginner hockey players improve their slapshot. If you are looking for some more advanced slapshot tips then read my article “understanding where slapshot power comes from” (will be posted soon)