How to Hit a Slap Shot
This is one of the most difficult techniques in hockey, but when done correctly, it's a powerful and dangerous offensive weapon.
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- Hockey sticks
Instructions
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1
Skate to within a reasonable shooting distance from the goal.
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2
Position your body sideways to the net and in a normal passing stance - skates parallel, knees bent, back bent forward, stick extended, blade edge flat on the ice (or roller rink) and puck cradled in the center of the blade.
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Raise the stick up and straight back until your bottom hand is at shoulder level.
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Keep your bottom arm straight.
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Shift your weight to the back foot.
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Raise your eyes, and mark the desired target (an open edge of the goal, not an opponent's helmet).
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Bring the stick aggressively forward: Pull with your top hand, push with the bottom hand.
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Transfer your weight to the front foot.
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Strike the puck on its bottom edge.
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Follow through with the stick.
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Adjust the blade to control its height.
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Tips & Warnings
The slap shot is good for dumping the puck in the upstairs corner of the net.
The height of the shot depends on the height of the follow through.
A slap shot is inherently inaccurate. Practice in aiming is essential.
Because of its speed and upward trajectory, this shot is extremely dangerous. Always make sure other players are wearing all necessary protective gear, including a helmet with a full face mask.
Comments
View all 10 Comments-
Johan Mengesha
Apr 30, 2007
I have to try it again, growing up I could never get the darn puck off the ice with a slapshot, I had a mean wrister though :) -
Johan Mengesha
Apr 30, 2007
I have to try it again, growing up I could never get the darn puck off the ice with a slapshot, I had a mean wrister though :)
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Nov 22, 2005
Put your bottom hand in the exact middle of the shaft, err on the low side. Have the puck fairly close to your body and just inside the ball of the front foot. Back swing to parallel. Higher is better for speed but sacrifices quickness and possibly accuracy. Work up to it if that's what you want. Hit the ice first with the toe of your stick. This maximizes the flex in the stick. (compare flexing from knob to middle of blade vs. knob to toe. The blade will also now flex adding energy) The toe should strike the ice at least four inches behind the puck. Some pros hit up to one foot behind. You need to work up to this kind of control. As you strike, use your weight to drive the blade under the puck. The desired result is a highly flexed shaft. The first point of contact with the puck should be the middle of the blade with an already flexed shaft. The puck will stay on your blade longer than if you strike it near the toe. The puck will stay on your stick longer allowing more energy to transfer into it and giving you more control. Feel it roll off your blade. Finish the power transfer with a very quick flick of the wrists like a wrist shot. It sounds easy, but it is tough to master an effective snap - the whole process happens so fast. I usually do without it unless I'm sneaking into the slot for a hard one-timer. Getting a quick release, a low trajectory, and on net are much more important. Roll your wrists to keep it low.
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Nov 22, 2005
If you can not hit a long range shot,heres a tip for you. Hit the puck a few inches before the puck. Hit the puck hard. Keep your head DOWN and follow through hard. Hit the ice as hard as you can.
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Nov 22, 2005
Your bottom hand should be at least halfway down the shaft of the stick.
