Hockey: An In-depth Shooting Guide

Hey Sythe, I've been playing hockey for only about a year now, but I've been so sucked into the game that I have probably putting in over 10 hours a week to the game since my start. In this guide I will be going over and explaining the main types of shots; their purpose and proper execution.

Hockey Terms and Zones:





-Slot: The general area in front of the goalie
-Point: The general area near the center line
-Crease: The line adjacent to the net
-Blade: The bottom part of a hockey stick that you handle the puck with
-Heel (of the blade): the back end of a hockey stick blade
-Toe (of the blade): the front end of a hockey stick blade

I. The Wrist Shot

-Overview:The wrist shot is probably the most common and crucial shot in the game of Hockey. It's powerful, yet accurate and can be executed from up-close or far away from the net. It is probably the simplest shot to master.[/COLOR]

-Purpose: The wrist shot is used because of its accuracy. Like other shots, it can be aimed high or low, but its benefit is the versitility. Sure all shots can be aimed, but for instance, Slap Shots (more on this later) are mainly higher-oriented shots. When an scorer is in a time crunch or has a man on and needs to get a shot off, the wrist shot is the way to go.

-Execution:Whenever shooting (any type of shot), your knees should be bent. This allows for extra balance and power when releasing your shot. In addition, It keeps strain off of your back and focuses it on your thighs. Keep your eyes focused where you want your shot to go; never follow the puck with your eyes. A leg kick propels you and gives your shot and extra boost of power (If you're right handed kick your right leg and if you're left handed kick your left leg).



-Steps:
1. Bend your knees, cradle the puck, and aim (look where you want the shot to go)
2. Begin a swiping motion, rolling the puck from the heel to the toe, and lifting your stick at the same time. The rolling motion is how the puck bulds up speed.
3. Release the puck by giving a little flick of the wrist, still maintaining eye contact with where you're aiming. Simultaneously, execute the leg kick. This adds finesse and strengthens your shot.


Video Example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hD_5yEhGAbM

II. The Slap Shot

-Overview: The Slap Shot is the stereotypical hockey shot; the one you see in the movies and the one everyone who picks up a hockey stick tries first. However, it is the most difficult to master. The technique differs from player to player. However when mastered, slap shots can be a distinct advantage for a player to be able to do. Slap shots are rarely used up close, but rather, from the point by a defenseman.

-Purpose:Slap shots have massive potential if used properly. What I use them for is to give the scoreres a rebound opportunity. When I'm on defense, and my team is in the offensive zone, I just rip a slap shot and, if on goal, it will usually bounce off the goalie's chest, leaving an opportunity for the man covering the slot. From my experience, this is the slap shot's most useful purpose. They will rarely score unless the goalie is being screened.

-Execution: The biggest mistake people make with slap shots is not bending their legs. You CANNOT slap shot unless your back is rigid and your legs are bent. Mos of the power for this shot comes from your legs and chest. If you hunch your back, you're just losing power. This is different from wrist shots because rather than staring at your target, you glance at your target before you shoot, and then you look down at the puck as you shoot. You should grip your stick at about 2/3 of the way down the shaft, but mostely wherever feels right.



-Steps:
1. Select your target and glance at it for a second
2. Look down at the puck, bend your knees, assume your grip 2/3 of the way down the shaft. Wind up.
3. As you release, hit the ground between 2 and 6 inches behind the puck, bending your stick and in essence, "whipping" the puck into propulsion. as you release from your wind up, push off the ground with your left foot if you're a righty and visa versa. At the same time, kick back with your right foot if you're a righty and visa versa. Focus the energy from that push & kick motion into your shot. Your follow through is similar to that of a wrist shot. Don't look up until the shot has been fired. All of this is in one swift motion.

Video Example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Js6_WAS-Ay4

III. The Snap Shot

-Overview:The Snap Shot is the least used and probably least useful shot in the game. It is a quick "snapping" motion that allows shots to be made from uncomfortable positions, when under a lot of pressure form the other team's defense, or when up-close to the net. Snap shots are also a common way to pass the puck quickly and accurately.

-Purpose:As mentioned above, Snap shots are rather uneccessary but helpful if you have an opportunity to use it. They are great for when you accidentally get too close to the goalie before shooting and need to get off a quick shot. The power on the shot is not great because of the lack of leverage you get when executing it; but, it isn't meant to be a powerful shot.

-Execution: I see the snap shot as a fusion of a wrist shot and a slap shot. You have the whipping motion of a slap shot, but the rolling motion of a wrist shot. I like so start the shot with just the toe of my blade quickly dragging toward the puck. upon contact, assume the rolling and flicking motion of a wrist shot and follow through the same as well.

It's really hard to find pictures showing a snap shot, since it looks very similar to the other two mentioned shots.

-Steps:
1. Assume the same position as you would a slap shot except only put your bottom hand 1/2 way down the shaft. Your stick should also not be raised as high (wound up) as you would with a slap shot.
2. Make contact with the ground/ice with the toe of your blade first, follwed by the rest of the blade. The puck should hit somewhere in between the toe and the heel, or the center of the blade.
3. After you connect with the puck, the rest of the motion is just like a wrist shot. Roll the puck, and floow through, aiming with your eyes.

Video Example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KPKyYvMW88I

I hope this guide helped you on you way to becoming a better hockey player!

-Julian

 

Pretty Good Guide, knew this all already but because I play hockey
I'd add a section about the Backhand Shot
8/10

Rs Emperor

 

Thanks for the feedback

 

Very nice guide. I\'d say 8/10 too. And IMO, I find the snap shot quite effective. Last year, me and my friend (he\'s a goalie) played alot at our local rink, and whenever we had shootouts, the snap shot saved me ALOT. If I got in too close, i\'d quickly pull off a snap shot and usually score, cause he wasn\'t expecting it. Even when I wasn\'t in too close, for example i\'d come up to the right, and put it top corner, usually with a snap shot. I\'d fake a slap- BOOM snap shot, roofed it. Can\'t wait till I can play again, hopefully in the next 3-5 weeks.

 

I like the pictures you added, but I disagree with a couple of your terms. The Crease is the blue semi-circle that the goalie lives in, not on the sides. The Point isn't in the neutral zone, its the area right inside the offensive zone that the defense say most of the time.

Rs Emperor

 

Oh alright. I'll fix it when I have time lol

 

You've obviously put a huge ammount of effort into this guide. It's presented good (although I don't think some of the colors used are very attracting,) and the text and pictures are very clear and easy to follow. Perhaps you should source your images, because the original picture wasn't your own and you should give credit to the source. I also like the way you've gone in depth and have described the many different terms involved in Ice Hockey. For next time, make sure you make a guide on a different topic, such as; computing.

Overall, a great guide and I'm looking forward to seeing more of these from you.

 

This is a good guide, I have to play hockey for my school soon so it will help alot.

 

This a very nice guide
a+

 

Really good guide, perfect for beginners . 8/10 . Add a section on the backhand shot .