How to Make Your Wrist Shot Better

Hockey combines speed and power that provides enjoyment for players and athletic enthusiasts alike. Hockey players shoot the puck in two primary ways. A slap shot generates great velocity, with speeds up to 100 miles per hour. However, the shot takes some time and practice to learn to execute properly. Alternatively, the wrist shot can be executed quickly and in an accurate manner. Players should fine tune their wrist shot skills to increase your scoring abilities in hockey.

Instructions

    • 1

      Learn the proper hand placement. A common problem with young hockey players involves keeping their hands too close to one another and too near their body. For a great wrist shot, you need to get your hands out in front of your body. Also, get your bottom hand down the stick at a comfortable level. This allows you to generate maximum velocity on your wrist shots.

    • 2

      Learn the proper motion. You can think of a wrist shot in a "push/pull" context. Pull your top hand in towards your body. At the same time, push your bottom hand away from it. The quicker you can perform this motion, the stronger your wrist shot will become.

    • 3

      Practice as much as you can, before games, or even in the drive way as you shoot at a goal or other target. Constantly repeat the push/pull motion. You can start without a puck. Perform this 20 times, slowly. Next, add in a puck and begin taking practice wrist shots into a real goal. Concentrate on every single repetition. Simply performing a lot of repetitions will not help you. Players also need to really think about doing a great job and visualize every time they take a wrist shot. Once you feel comfortable with the motion, start picking specific targets as you shoot on goal. Imagine you're beating a goalie high on his glove side, for example.

    • 4

      Perform wrist-strengthening exercises. Start out with basic tennis ball squeezes. Hold a tennis ball in your hand and squeeze it as hard as you can. Perform at least 10 repetitions with each hand. Next, you can move on to resistance training. Attach a resistance band to your foot or something stationary like a piece of furniture. Pull the resistance band to a level at which you start to feel resistance. Hold the resistance band firmly in your hand with your palm facing up. Curl the resistance band using only your wrist. Rotate your hand so that your palm faces down. Again, curl up using only your wrist. Perform at least 10 repetitions of each activity with both hands.

    • 5

      Make sure your hockey stick is flexible enough. This will allow you greater power and accuracy with your wrist shot. If you feel uncomfortable about picking the proper stick on your own, go to a reputable hockey shop and ask a salesman to help you select the right flex based on your size, strength and age.