Slap Shot Technique

The slap shot is considered the hardest shot in hockey in terms of power, but it is also the least used by professionals. Its value is in the fact that the shot is difficult for goaltenders to control, which can lead to rebounds in front of the goal and more scoring opportunities for teammates. There are five basic fundamentals and strategies behind each.

  1. Grip

    • The point of the grip in a slap shot is to get maximum flex out of your stick. This is needed because the stick will bend and snap as you shoot. So take your bottom hand and place it halfway down the shaft of the stick and then move the hand up one hand width. By doing this, you keep your chest up enough to react to a blocked shot and you keep your momentum going forward in case of a rebound.

    Puck alignment

    • A slap shot is a quick shot and that requires great fundamentals when it comes to puck position in relation to the body. Contact with the puck should come on the inside of your front foot and about two stick blade lengths away from the body. Putting the puck in this position, plus bending the knees, gives you maximum power.

    Windup

    • Skaters don't need a long windup when it comes to the slap shot. They only need a windup that generates as much power as possible to combine with a quick release. It's suggested that the windup should stop at the waist. At the same time, you must transfer the weight from the back foot to the front foot. Also, take the stick straight back. Don't let the stick follow the rotation of your hips, as that allows the blade of the stick to end up behind you.

    Contact

    • The most important part of making contact on the slap shot is to make sure that the stick hits the ice about 2 to 3 inches behind the puck. Doing so gives the stick more flex and bend before contact. That generates power as the stick straightens out at contact. Skaters should also try to hit the puck with the heel of the stick blade, considered the strongest part of the blade.

    Follow-Through

    • The follow-through determines the puck's path. During practice, skaters should stop their follow-through and look down the stick to make sure the puck is traveling where it's aimed. In terms of footwork, make sure to turn the toe of your front skate toward the target. Doing so generates momentum and power toward the target and helps a skater stay balanced.