How to Shoot a Snap shot in Ice Hockey

Scoring a goal in ice hockey is one of the most exciting moments in the game. The well-designed passing play that ends up with the puck in the net is almost a work of art. To a goal scorer, any time the puck ends up in the net is a work of art and some goals are more beautiful than others. But most goal scorers aren't interested in creating Picassos, they just want to put the goal judge to work by forcing him to turn on the goal light. The most likely way to score is with a snap shot. It's harder than the wrist shot and more accurate than the slap shot.

Instructions

1. Understand what it takes to create a scoring opportunity. The key to scoring goals is time and space. The time to create the shot and the space to get puck off and on its way to the net. The primary scoring area is the slot, which is roughly between the two face off circles in the offensive zone. If you are a goal scorer, you may want to cruise around the slot area and attempt to get open so your teammate can give you a pass and you can fire off a snap shot

2. Prepare your hands to receive the pass from your teammate and then get the shot away in an instant. As you await the pass, your hands must be relaxed so the puck does not rebound off the blade of your stick. Soft hands means you can control the puck. Your dominant hand should be about midway down the shaft of your stick. As the pass comes in you catch it on the blade of your stick and then push it slightly forward. Then you bring the blade of your stick back slightly--six inches will do--and then come forward with great force to create a hard snap shot.

3. Pick out an area of the goal you are going to attack. A good rule of thumb is to go high to the goaltender's stick side or low to the glove side. This is where the goaltender is usually most vulnerable. However, if that is your normal plan of attack you may want to vary by going high to the glove side, low to the stick side or try to beat the goalie between his legs (commonly known as the 5 hole).

4. Concern yourself with the accuracy of your shot. Given time and space, you will get more than enough velocity on the shot to put the puck in the net or force the goaltender to come up with a sensational save. However, if your shot is off target or in a spot that the goaltender can easily reach you will not be able to score.

5. Realize that when you try to camp out in the slot, you are immediately going to attract the attention of the defense and you will get hit shortly after receiving the puck or shooting it. In order to hold your ground, you need to work on your lower-body strength so that you will not give up your position once you have established it.

Tips & Warnings

• Spend much of your time during and after practice working on your shot. The snap shot is a very natural movement and presents a very dangerous shot for the goalie. The key is being accurate with the shot. Set up targets at the four corners of the net--upper right, upper left, lower right, lower left--and work on hitting those targets consecutively. It will take some time to get the hang of it and once you do, you will find that your shooting during games will come much easier.

• Work on your skating. One of the keys to getting scoring opportunities from the slot is to get open. Strong, explosive skating movements will give you the freedom to get open, receive the pass and fire the shot.