How to Teach the Hockey Wrist Shot

The wrist shot is one of the most important shots in a hockey player's arsenal. It may not be the fastest shot, but what it lacks in speed it makes up for in accuracy. A player with a finely tuned wrist shot is a force to reckon with on the ice, which is why it is important that each player is taught the shot's proper technique early. Because the technique is best learned visually, coaches may teach the wrist shot by demonstrating each of its steps and having each player repeat them in sequence.

Things You'll Need

  • Hockey sticks
  • Hockey net
  • Hockey pucks
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Instruct each player to hold the butt end of a hockey stick with his non-dominant hand and to position his dominant hand about midway down the shaft of the hockey stick. To locate the proper spot for the dominant hand, ask each player to place his elbow of that arm against his hand holding the butt end of the hockey stick and then grasp the hockey stick with the dominant hand.

    • 2

      Position each player's body at a 45-degree angle to the hockey net, and place a hockey puck in front of each player.

    • 3

      Demonstrate how to drop the shoulder, pull the puck on your back hand behind your back foot and transfer it to your forehand all in one fluid motion.

    • 4

      Teach the players to cup the puck with the hockey stick's blade and sweep the puck forward with their hand while transferring all their weight from their back foot to their front foot.

    • 5

      Instruct them to transfer all their weight onto the hockey stick after it crosses their body by pushing forward with their lower hand and pulling back with their top hand.

    • 6

      Show the players how to release the shot. Slide the puck from the heel of the blade to the toe as you follow through. At that point, turn your wrists, causing the blade to turn out and lift the puck.

    • 7

      Release the puck, and continue to follow through by pointing the toe of the stick at the target.