Tips and Tricks on Perfecting Your Hockey Slap Shot


Overview

Due to the fast pace of hockey, it is not often you will have the opportunity to take a clean slapshot in a game, so when you do, you want your technique to be perfect. This shot is an offensive weapon and one that can put points on the board when executed correctly. 

What is a Slap Shot?

A slapshot is a fast and powerful shot taken with a big swing. It is known as one of  the most deadly shots in hockey as the speed can reach over 100 mph. It is arguably one of the most exciting shots to take in the game because of the power behind it. Players must take advantage of the small window they have to wind up and shoot their shot.

Form

Technique is what separates a good slap shot from a great one. Every part of your body is working when you are taking a powerful shot like this. It is important that each body part is holding the correct form to execute your shot perfectly. 

Here hockey director Bryan Hapeman breaks down Slap Shot form into four categories.

Correct Positioning- head up, athletic stance, puck in between your skates, contacting the puck with the middle of the blade.

Transferring Weight- transfer weight between the front and back foot while swinging.

Hand Positioning- keep the power arm half way down the shaft.

Striking- strike the ice an inch before the puck

Loading Ranges

The next step to creating your perfect slapshot is to determine your loading range. Different situations on the ice call for one of three loading ranges you can load your stick to. The low range, the mid range and the full range. 

Here NHL shooting coach Tim Turk breaks down the form of the different loading ranges.

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The Slap

One of the most important aspects of the slap shot is to make contact with the ice 1-3 inches before the puck. This will allow you to have a better follow through and turn your wrists over. During your swing you will shift your weight from the back foot to the front foot to induce more power and allow for a smooth follow through.

Turk also emphasizes the importance of upper body technique when taking this shot. It is crucial to start with your power arm in a locked position and keep it in that locked position all the way to the follow through.  Keeping proper form will enhance the power and speed.

In his Slap Shot Course Turk demonstrates what it looks like to keep a locked arm throughout the entire shot.

The Follow Through

Keeping the right form in the follow through is just as important as the rest of the shot. The shot starts with you facing perpendicular to the goal, but finishes with your hips facing the net. At the end of the shot your stick should be in the mid range area. If your stick finishes low, the shot will fall low. If your stick finishes high, the shot will fall high. Making sure you follow through in the mid range area with your hips forward will ensure the best result. 

Turk shows that freezing and holding the technique after taking a shot helps to ensure your body is in control and that your form is strong. 

Slap Shot In Motion

When taking a slap shot in motion, form is still key. You will not always have as much time to adjust and be set as a still shot, but making sure you keep technique in mind is crucial. Timing is more difficult in a motion shot as you are moving into the shot at a faster pace. This can also be an advantage as it can give the shot more power. One small difference when taking a slap shot in motion is that your back leg will lock during the follow through as you continue to skate in a lunge position after the shot is taken. Perfecting your slap shot in motion will showcase your speed and power combined into one. 

Summary

Mastering your slap shot form will allow you to become an offensive weapon on the ice. Taking full advantage of the small windows you have to take this exciting shot is crucial in this fast paced game. Perfecting these technique tips will elevate your game and make you a force to be reckoned with.