Tag Archives: Wrist Shot

Execution of the Wrist Shot

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Many players that we see come through our training facility want to develop a harder shot. They talk about wanting to score more goals from shots but don’t look at the details involved for that to happen.  One of the biggest things that we talk about when taking wrist shots is balance.  A player will always be able to shoot the puck harder when they are balanced as compared to being off balance. At a older age if you are shooting the puck off balance you are also exposing yourself to being hit extremely hard.  Take a look at Evander Kane showing how to use a wrist shot in a game to score.   

A. Wrist Shot to a Spot

Take a look at this lighting fast release to a perfect spot in the net beating one of the best goalies in the game.  Notice how fast Kane moves the puck from his backhand to his forehand and loads the puck up.  From this position the puck is released to the net and into a great spot.  The balance that Kane has from the quick change of direction is incredible but this comes from having both skates on the ice.  In this position he is able to weight transfer and really lean into the shot. A great example of a wrist shot with a quick release with great accuracy. 

B. Shoot the Puck Through a Screen 

Here is a great example of what speed can do off the rush.  Kane uses his speed from his own end and backs the D men off through the Neutral Zone.  Kane recognizes that he is not going to beat them by driving wide and takes advantage of the ice that is given to him, which is in front of the D men.  He makes a small move to the inside by turning his feet, again allowing for him to weight transfer with his shot. The difference on this example is that he is not shooting the puck to the perfect location.  He uses the D man as a screen and shoot the puck past the shin pad and shoots it hard.  ”This play for a goalie is very tough as you have to track the puck across and also pick the puck up through the D man” says Ryan Cyr of GDI.  The puck is not perfect but the wrist shot is released quickly, with lots of power and comes through a screen leading to a great goal.

Continue to work on expanding your Shooting skills in our Shooting Program coming up this Spring.  This Program is designed to work on the the technical aspects of your shooting.  Learn the basics of a wrist shot both stationary and moving and progress to Slap Shots and One Timers. In this program players will learn to shoot the puck harder,with a quicker release and greater accuracy. 

Helping to take YOUR game to the next level. See you at The RINK

Coach Cameron

This is YOUR moment, YOU are meant to be HERE!

91 Lowson Cres/Winnipeg Manitoba

Shoot for a Rebound

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Many young players think that they have to score on every shot they take.  When players learn to create offensive chances for their team by simply getting the puck to the net with a purpose, they will see point totals start to creep up.  When a player can force a goalie to make a save and then have to scramble for a rebound, it will create offensive chances for your team.

A. Play the Angles

Think about where you are on the ice and where the puck will kick out to after it hits the goalie.  Using the goalies pads is a great way to create rebound for a teammate especially when come in on the wing.  By shooting far pad the puck will kick out to the slot.

B. Does Not Have to be a Rocket

Both examples shown here are well placed wrist shots that hit the goalie and leave a rebound for a teammate.  A hard low wrist shot will many times stay in a better spot then a slap shot will.  The slap shot has more power behind it and many times the rebounds hit the goalie and will bounce farther away from the net.  Also a slap shot is less accurate and takes longer to get off.  A quick released wrist/snap shot will force the goalie to make a save a have to locate the rebound.

C. Play the Rebound

When you are off the puck, put yourself in a position to score on a rebound. This means understanding the timing needed to react to the loose puck.  If you are too early many times the rebound will bounce by you.  Time the play like King does below, to move into the rebound making your chance to the net a more quality chance. In the video above, Carter is in a great spot to find a rebound on the PP and finishes off his Hat-Trick.

Come work on your Shooting, Rebound Control and Offensive Creativity at The RINK Training Centre. Watch the videos again and notice this is the same player shooting the puck in both.  This is not a coincidence as he does this a lot!

Helping to take YOUR game to the next level. See you at The RINK

Coach Cameron

This is YOUR moment, YOU are meant to be HERE!

91 Lowson Cres/Winnipeg Manitoba