How to Elevate a Hockey Shot

With large leg pads, a glove and a stick covering the five-hole between their legs, hockey goalies make scoring low goals a difficult task. Slotting a quick shot into the lower portion of the net can still be done, but sometimes the only place to beat the goalie is the top shelf. In these times, an elevated shot is necessary to score. Whether you are shooting a wrist shot or a slap shot, elevating the puck requires proper stick-handling technique.

Instructions

  1. Wrist Shot

    • 1

      Stand in front of your net or target with the stick firmly in your hands. Keep the puck in the center of your stick blade and closer to your back leg. Slide your bottom or dominant hand halfway down the stick's shaft.

    • 2

      Transfer your weight from your back foot to the front as you pull the puck across the shooting zone. Keep the blade of the stick flat on the ground as you prepare to release the shot. Keeping the stick on the ice ensures that you will get lift when the shot is released.

    • 3

      Snap your wrists quickly as the puck passes your front foot. Your bottom hand should push toward the net while the top hand moves toward your back foot. The quick flicking motion elevates the puck off the ice.

    • 4

      Finish your shooting motion with the toe of the stick blade aimed at your target. Your shot will gain elevation the higher you finish your follow-through.

    Slap Shot

    • 5

      Line up in front of the target similarly to the stance of a wrist shot. Your shoulders and hips form a line with the goal and your bottom hand grips the stick at about the midpoint of the shaft.

    • 6
      Keep your eye on the puck to ensure you hit it with the correct part of your stick.

      Bring your stick back in the air, maintaining a visual of the puck. At the top of the windup, the blade of the stick will be pointing straight in the air.

    • 7

      Begin your downswing, transferring your weight from the back foot to the front foot.

    • 8

      Hit the ice with your stick blade about 3 to 5 inches behind the puck. This action flexes or bends the stick. The stick will snap back into normal shape about the time it contacts the puck. This snapping action adds power to your shot, enabling you to lift the puck into the higher portion of the goal or target.

    • 9

      Contact the puck with the middle of your stick blade. Follow through high, just like with a wrist shot, to produce elevation.