Hey everyone, welcome to the NSDA! I’m Dwayne Blais, NHL Skills Coach for the Detroit Red Wings, and today we’re diving into some cool, simple tools to improve your shot, making it even better. Whether it’s a skills coach, your parent, or anyone else helping you shoot the puck harder, especially wrist shots and snapshots, the key is keeping that puck close to your body.
Puck Positioning: A Key to Powerful Shots
When the puck gets too far from our body, we lose flex under the stick. Hands need to be in a good spot – away from our body, generating power and force by pushing on that stick. If the puck is too far in any direction, flexing is tough. But if it’s right here, power and force come as you push with your bottom hand. Top shooters in the NHL like Ovechkin or Matthews often start with the puck way out, set up their move on a player, drag the puck across, and release it close to their body.
Practicing the Shot: Slow and Steady Wins the Race
How do they do this? Loads of practice. A simple way to work on this involves setting up a stick anywhere – garage, basement, wherever – and setting up your pucks on one side. Don’t rush. Don’t just shoot and shoot. Set it up, take your time, and work on the technique. If a shot’s not great, that’s okay. Keep going, keep adding, keep practicing.
Incorporating Fakes and Varying Your Shot
Having your puck here, maybe make a little fake. You don’t have to go right up the stick, as it’s a long way to drag around and might not be so realistic in a game. If you start up here, pull the puck in, balk here, and then let it go, pushing down with that bottom hand. Always start simple. Whether you’re in your backyard, garage, or on the ice, get the pattern down, feel comfy with it, and then add a little speed as you go.
Creating Boundaries: A Trick for Better Shots
Another simple little drill involves setting up boundaries. It can be with spray paint, cones, sticks – anything. And, it will feel weird, like you’re in a box. But that’s the point. It helps keep the puck close and improve your shot, whether you’re practicing at home or on the ice. Coaches, it’s a handy trick if you’re looking to help a player develop a better shot.
Want to connect and share ideas with other hockey coaches from around the world? Join our Minor Hockey Coaches Group on Facebook, which has coaches from Canada, the United States, Europe and even Australia.
Looking for help to practice more of your skills? Check out the rest of our videos here.
