I hate slapshots!!!!!!!

[prylwd]

I am a pretty new player. 21 years old haven't played hockey in maybe 6+ years. I played on a league when I was younger. Anyways I am fairly athletic and pretty good at most sports. Don't have much upper body strength as I am pretty skinny. I have recently got back into playing and am extremely frustrated b/c all my friends that I play with are very good. Last time we went I spent the entire time trying to learn to slap shot and never got it. I fell like I am getting decent power but it is just not coming off the ground, but I am sure it could use some more power as well. Anyways I am/was extremely mad about it. How the hell is it so hard for me? I usually pick up stuff very fast. I know all bout bending your knees and hitting the floor before the puck to make your stick flex, etc... But I still can't do it and look like a jack ass at the busy rink we go to. Advise? How long did it take all of you to learn a slap shot? Should I start going to the gym to get some arm/ back muscle? Whats the deal?

[Jon Niola]

Should I start going to the gym to get some arm/ back muscle?

Slapshot is NOT about muscle - more about technique. Some of the best slapshots I have seen at the local rinks are always from the skinniest punks lol.

It took me a while to get a good slapshot. I found out after a lot of practice that it was not so much me, but the stick I was using. It was simply too long.

You want to make contact with the playing surface right behind the puck just as you are hitting it. If your stick is too long you will hit the surface too soon. If the stick is too short you might not get the contact you need to really nail it.

Just keep trying it and feel no shame in trying it. Ask others you play with to give you a hand and they might be able to help you figure out what you are doing wrong.

--Jon

[prylwd]

Slapshot is NOT about muscle - more about technique. Some of the best slapshots I have seen at the local rinks are always from the skinniest punks lol.

It took me a while to get a good slapshot. I found out after a lot of practice that it was not so much me, but the stick I was using. It was simply too long.

You want to make contact with the playing surface right behind the puck just as you are hitting it. If your stick is too long you will hit the surface too soon. If the stick is too short you might not get the contact you need to really nail it.

Just keep trying it and feel no shame in trying it. Ask others you play with to give you a hand and they might be able to help you figure out what you are doing wrong.

--Jon


Thanks for the reply. My stick is just at my chin when on skates. Does this seem too long? I was told thats were it should be. I am 6 foot 2 inches. My my friends sticks don't go up to their chins though, they are a couple inches shorter than their chins.


* I know to just keep trying but it is kinda hard b/c I only have time to go to the rink like once a week at the most, and when I do go I go with a lot of friends so we usually play a half rink game (only 1 goalie). Not only that but I tried sooooooo many slap shots last time I got pissed and left with mad blisters on my hands/ feet. I mean I was seriously trying only slap shots for 1 hour straight and still couldn't get the damn put off the ground.

[RichardGraham]

Hi Prywld,

I also have a crummy slapshot, so you probably shouldn't read this ;)

However, what's been helping me lately is moving my lower hand farther down on the shaft -- separate your two hands more.

If all else fails, use your wrister -- more goals are scored on wrist shots than any other shot.

[Jon Niola]

If all else fails, use your wrister -- more goals are scored on wrist shots than any other shot.

Quoted for truth! Dropping the big-bomb slapshots may get the "oohs" and "ahhs" but a well-placed wrister is much more likely to score.

[Jon Niola]

Thanks for the reply. My stick is just at my chin when on skates. Does this seem too long? I was told thats were it should be. I am 6 foot 2 inches. My my friends sticks don't go up to their chins though, they are a couple inches shorter than their chins.

That is a good, general rule of thumb, but not always accurate. Reason being is some folks play lower than others.

I have friends who play so low their stick is like 5-6 inches below their chin when they stand upright in their skates.

[dcdawgs]

It is all about shifting your weight correctly and hitting the puck/surface at the right place. Suggestion would be to go to the rink during pick-up or something and practice.

Shift your balance from the back foot to the front foot during that follow-through. Also suggest watching your stick from about waste level down to the time you hit the puck (sort of like baseball, watching the ball all the way to the connection with that bad).

Your stick length seems to be fine, as that is personal preference. A short stick actually is better for stickhandling.

Hope this helps!

Josh

[Gladiators6]

As far as stick length, it's a rule of thumb for kid's just starting to play to be at chin length, as you get older/better its all preference.....I use a very short stick.

As for slap shots, I never take them unless I'm taking a one-timer, however I went thru a slump when I was younger of having a horendous slap shot all it took for me to fix it was my team mate telling me I wasn't leaning into it enough......so my advice is to lower your bottom hand, bend down and lean into your shot, its not muscle, it's all form.

[FrankFrank]

Now I'll probably get ribbed for even commenting on this one... but I tend to think i have decent slap-shot. Not that it hits the net all the time... but it's got some mustard behind it.
Honestly, I started playing when I was 13 and I would sit there and analyze players in the NHL. Back in teh mid 90's... there were only 2 people you needed to watch to see how to blast a slap-shot... Al McGinnis and Al Iafrate. I have tapes of the all-star competitions and I can guaruntee that the most worn out parts of the tape are right at the slap-shot competition. After sitting there studying how they tweeked their stick and positioned their body, I would go down in my unfinished basement and just rip slapshots for hours against the cement walls.
It's definitely not a skill you learn over night... and for all the time you spend perfecting it and getting the power... the payoff isn't that great. Rarely do you have a good oppurtunity actually use it during a game. Like they've said on here... Slappers get the oohs and ahhs... but dangling and wristers get the goals.

Frank~Frank

[Jon Niola]

... there were only 2 people you needed to watch to see how to blast a slap-shot... Al McGinnis and Al Iafrate.

Oh man those guys sure had it. Iafrate had a shot that if you got hit by it gear or not you were likely to break something lol.

And we can't forget even before that - Bobby Hull. Bobby Hull's slapshot was arguably faster than the two Al's and he was probably a hell of a lot more accurate too.

[patb16]

Everyone who has posted so far has provided great advice. I feel its probably a combination of everything that has been mentioned so far.

Stick Length: Def a personal preference. I personally use a similar length (right at the chin). A longer the stick will flex more during a shot, and as someone mentioned, a short stick will be better for stick handling.
Hand Positioning: Keeping your hands a good distance apart, bottom hand 3/4 of the way down your shaft, will also help your stick flex more ideally during a slap shot. The flex will be more distributed, kind of like a bow and arrow which will provide more kick closer to the blade causing the puck to whip off of your blade.
Weight Transfer: Very, Very important. Finding that balance between your front foot and back is crucial. You want to have most of your weight on you back foot during wind up and most of your weight on your front foot on follow-through.
Repetition: The slap shot is def not something that will be perfected over night. Its like a golf or baseball swing. Your body has to get used to the mechanics of the slap shot. The more you practice the more you're body will remember the motions the faster you will see results.And as almost everyone already mentioned, you're wrist shot is the most important shot to perfect. You will score far more goals with a good wrister than you ever will with a blistering slap shot.

I play defense and I rarely take slap shots. If you're on the point and you see a lot of traffic in front of the net. Its best to just get a quick wrist shot off and hope it gets deflected or the goalie is screened than to let everyone get set while you take a big wind up, that's just a personal opinion.

[prylwd]

Thanks for all the advice boys. I think another big problem I am going to have is not having a place to practice. I live in an apartment so I can't practice there. Not only that but the rink I can practice at has very very limited hours due to league games. Lastly damn its embarrassing sitting in front of a bunch of good players trying to slap shot and it not happening. Puck just stays on the freaking ground. I hate it.

[mcchockey9]

For a good slap shot, it's a lot like a golf shot. You have to have the puck in the right spot by your feet. To go higher, the curve of your stick is a big key. A great curve for this a heel-toe curve. Also, the more follow through of your shot raised the puck too. Good Luck! I used to not be able to slap shot very well, then i got it. Now is shoot the puck in high 90"s. I've actually been radared at 104mph at a pro camp. Have fun, and keep working on it, it will come back to you.

[longboarderj]

i have never found a high slap shot to be very effective, the goaltenders can see them coming and it gives them a chance to make an impressive looking glove save. A low, hard slap shot can be deflected and the goalies have a hard time seeing through players legs. Remember that an assist is just as good as a goal.

[prylwd]

I think you are all mistaking what I am trying to accomplish. It is not necessarily that I am going to use a slap shot all the time. It is more for peace of mind and confidence than anything. Of course I will use wrist shots more often and more effectively. But being the only person that I play with who can't slap shot and is the worst skater is getting into my head. I am super competitive, and when all my friends are better than me it pisses me off. I also really, really need to practice skating. I can't stop well at all and usually end up doing a lot of circles. Anyways yeah I need practice all around.

[hockeynuts]

If you get better at skating your slap shot will improve. A good slapper takes a lot of footwork and balance.

[Wooten #21]

If your having problems getting it up then get a shorter stick, or put the puck farther away from you so you have to lean into it.

[prylwd]

^ I have tried with my friends stick (maybe 3-4 inches shorter) and still can't slap shot. To be honest I probably just need to get better all around skating, shooting, not to mention my body fatigues after 10 minutes of playing. WOW its gonna take some work/ time.

[Wooten #21]

^ I have tried with my friends stick (maybe 3-4 inches shorter) and still can't slap shot. To be honest I probably just need to get better all around skating, shooting, not to mention my body fatigues after 10 minutes of playing. WOW its gonna take some work/ time.

For me i like a tall stick i have mine come up to my nose, when i'm on skates. Maybe lean into it more and get lower on your stick. Maybe it is just the type of curve on your stick.

[prylwd]

^ Maybe I am just bad! Hehhehehe hate to say it though. Probably just need a lot of practice, especially on skates.

[GoRangrHky]

The key I found is finding a stick and curve that works and sticking with that one for as long as the company makes it. Someone gave me a very slightly chipped Sher-Wood 5030 Coffey curve about 5 years ago, and my first game I scored on 2 slap shots (which I had NEVER been able to do). Not that I score a lot, but as a defenseman, I'd say that probably 70% of my goals now come from slap shots. I just know exactly where and how I will be hitting the puck every time.

[Wooten #21]

The key I found is finding a stick and curve that works and sticking with that one for as long as the company makes it. Someone gave me a very slightly chipped Sher-Wood 5030 Coffey curve about 5 years ago, and my first game I scored on 2 slap shots (which I had NEVER been able to do). Not that I score a lot, but as a defenseman, I'd say that probably 70% of my goals now come from slap shots. I just know exactly where and how I will be hitting the puck every time.

I use the same stick except it's the 7000, i love the Coffey curve. I used to have problems with my slap-shots but i found the 7000 and everything is good. I can't use the expensive compostie sticks, they are too light.

[n1devil]

I think you are all mistaking what I am trying to accomplish. It is not necessarily that I am going to use a slap shot all the time. It is more for peace of mind and confidence than anything.

I hear ya.I came from ball-and-cane hockey, so you have no idea how hard it was for me to live with the fact that I had an explosive shot in that sport and i couldn´t even lift the damn cookie off the ground.so ... 2 things, I think I read all posts, and I didn´t saw a mention to the following, so if anyone already said this, sorry.Its still early in the morning and I´m not fully awake, guys.Anyways... one of the most important issues (left back so many times) besides the bent knees, shifting weight from front to back, bla bla bla,is the fact you CANNOT move your middle shaft arm.Once you wind up ...the arm frozes there.This will prevent the stick from moving innacurately therefore your elbow from the other arm wont shift angle.So the idea is a mechanic move.2nd thing... while you warm up, whenever you get 5 feet from the boards, skating very slowly,almost not at all... wind up to the shoulder (you don´t need more, just a good,steady move)... and when your about to hit the puck the way I told you before, lift your front skate ... like really off the ground.This way, you´ll make sure your weight is really behind your stick and puck.You´ll see that if you do this right, and given the fact you´re warming up people won´t see or understand what you´re doing, and so you won´t get embarrassed so you can do this like forever , after a few times, the puck will start to go up , knee height ... so considering the fact you´re 5 feet from the boards, I ´m sure when it comes to shooting the net , it will fly.However, practice this a lot,don´t stress out,and things will happen.Trust me.Just keep doin this.It took me like 2 or 3 practices to get this right, then another 3 to shift this technique to actual goal shot.But I tell you, a year after that, I was shooting 100 up ...and damn they look nasty.I agree with the wristers beeing the nr1 shot to succeed, but they can also tell you, its a kick when you score top shelf from a slap-shot.
Hope this helps, did marvels for me.Also, the curve is, in fact,important, but if you slapshot from a Jofa 4020 tpm,or another woody, you´ll shoot with anything.A great stick for learning slapshot is the Sher-wood 77 Ray Bourke woody.They go for around 20 bucks here and they´ll do the trick.I own a couple myself to play around,plus that Jofa which is heavier.But they are old school, and if you major that, you´ll kick ass with a composite.http://www.inlinehockeycentral.com/forums/images/icons/icon14.gif
Give em hell...

[prylwd]

I hear ya.I came from ball-and-cane hockey, so you have no idea how hard it was for me to live with the fact that I had an explosive shot in that sport and i couldn´t even lift the damn cookie off the ground.so ... 2 things, I think I read all posts, and I didn´t saw a mention to the following, so if anyone already said this, sorry.Its still early in the morning and I´m not fully awake, guys.Anyways... one of the most important issues (left back so many times) besides the bent knees, shifting weight from front to back, bla bla bla,is the fact you CANNOT move your middle shaft arm.Once you wind up ...the arm frozes there.This will prevent the stick from moving innacurately therefore your elbow from the other arm wont shift angle.So the idea is a mechanic move.2nd thing... while you warm up, whenever you get 5 feet from the boards, skating very slowly,almost not at all... wind up to the shoulder (you don´t need more, just a good,steady move)... and when your about to hit the puck the way I told you before, lift your front skate ... like really off the ground.This way, you´ll make sure your weight is really behind your stick and puck.You´ll see that if you do this right, and given the fact you´re warming up people won´t see or understand what you´re doing, and so you won´t get embarrassed so you can do this like forever , after a few times, the puck will start to go up , knee height ... so considering the fact you´re 5 feet from the boards, I ´m sure when it comes to shooting the net , it will fly.However, practice this a lot,don´t stress out,and things will happen.Trust me.Just keep doin this.It took me like 2 or 3 practices to get this right, then another 3 to shift this technique to actual goal shot.But I tell you, a year after that, I was shooting 100 up ...and damn they look nasty.I agree with the wristers beeing the nr1 shot to succeed, but they can also tell you, its a kick when you score top shelf from a slap-shot.
Hope this helps, did marvels for me.Also, the curve is, in fact,important, but if you slapshot from a Jofa 4020 tpm,or another woody, you´ll shoot with anything.A great stick for learning slapshot is the Sher-wood 77 Ray Bourke woody.They go for around 20 bucks here and they´ll do the trick.I own a couple myself to play around,plus that Jofa which is heavier.But they are old school, and if you major that, you´ll kick ass with a composite.http://www.inlinehockeycentral.com/forums/images/icons/icon14.gif
Give em hell...

So when your saying to practice winding up and lifting your front foot before the boards are you actually hitting a puck into the board? Or just practicing a wind up? I haven't went to play recently cause I suck and feel I need to get way better before play with sooo many good players.

[n1devil]

So when your saying to practice winding up and lifting your front foot before the boards are you actually hitting a puck into the board? Or just practicing a wind up? I haven't went to play recently cause I suck and feel I need to get way better before play with sooo many good players.

Yeah, hit the damn cookie! :) remember ...its all about the flow of the movement.Like someone said, skinny guys shoot hard too.Do it slowly, and the very moment you´re hitting the surface behind the puck, get your front skate airborne.You can practice this at home,without stick.Get the movement right,then go out and try it.Another thing,man,every good player had to practice.Makes perfect,right? Don´t give up.If you do, you´re not a hockey player... but you won´t.My coach always told me to keep my hands on the stick as if I was playing a guitar,its the right distance between hands.This eventually, for most players.just slide your hand a bit more to the center of the shaft and once you wind up, freeze it there... then try what I told you.You´ll see results pretty soon.Guaranteed.Or money back...:cool:

[prylwd]

Yeah, hit the damn cookie! :) remember ...its all about the flow of the movement.Like someone said, skinny guys shoot hard too.Do it slowly, and the very moment you´re hitting the surface behind the puck, get your front skate airborne.You can practice this at home,without stick.Get the movement right,then go out and try it.Another thing,man,every good player had to practice.Makes perfect,right? Don´t give up.If you do, you´re not a hockey player... but you won´t.My coach always told me to keep my hands on the stick as if I was playing a guitar,its the right distance between hands.This eventually, for most players.just slide your hand a bit more to the center of the shaft and once you wind up, freeze it there... then try what I told you.You´ll see results pretty soon.Guaranteed.Or money back...:cool:

Guaranteed or money back huh? Hheehhe, no I will definitely not give up. I just have to find more time to practice.

[ngodavid]

what works for me is when im getting ready to take a slapshot , i first put pressure on my back leg and then when i go in for the shot i lean forward slightly and move my shoulder with the leaning also , it works sometimes for me but idunno im no pro

[smiller]

I think you are all mistaking what I am trying to accomplish. It is not necessarily that I am going to use a slap shot all the time. It is more for peace of mind and confidence than anything. Of course I will use wrist shots more often and more effectively. But being the only person that I play with who can't slap shot and is the worst skater is getting into my head. I am super competitive, and when all my friends are better than me it pisses me off. I also really, really need to practice skating. I can't stop well at all and usually end up doing a lot of circles. Anyways yeah I need practice all around.


Dont worry about not being the best. I play on teams and in leagues with alot of guys who are better than me. Its one of the best ways to improve. Im not the best skater ever, I know it. I just work on it whenever I have a chance. Get some old wheels or outdoor wheels and find a somewhere you can just skate, like at school's blacktop or something. As for the shot....it will come with time. I have a decent shot, but its taken me years of playing and practicing. Lucky for my theres any outdoor roller hockey rink 10 mins away.

[kerochan]

Like most that have posted on this thread, i totally agree that slapshots are overrated. They are only affective if you can get a deflection or a screen, otherwise most goalies will see it a mile away. My tip is bring my stick to touch the ground maybe two inch in front of my lagging foot and to always have a good follow through, one of the most overlooked part of the swing. Also, once you find your hand position definately tape a patch on your stick for that spot (then you will know when to stop [pretty much a no brainer but thought i would mention it]).

I honestly believe that this shot is the most glorified and should be the last shot to master. Most effective is by far the wrist. More NHL goalies are afraid of Joe Sakic's wrist shot than even ole Al McGannis slap (why? cause Sakic can knock the water bottle of the top before you know it and Al ,although powerful, in game got his slapshot on goal maybe 1 out 5 times. Rule of thumb put a puck at the net and good things will happen.). After mastering that shot, i would move on to the slapshots wirey, little twin brother, the snapshot. This should be your one timer shot down low. It has less of a wind up, so it doesn't telegraph, and i think it has more velocity. Also, its a quick fake for a fast pass. Once you get the snap down its pretty easy to get a hold of the slap, just a little more coordinating with weight shift and footing. But with a firm grasp of the location of your stick for your snap you should almost mimic it with the slap. I won't put backhander in here cause lets face not that many people can say that they have a great backhander.If you do, you have and extremely soft touch and are a force to be reckoned with in the crease. So its kind of like a American Pitcher taking batting practice, they do it just for the motions.

But most of all just have fun with it and remember that some else is always going to be in our position. There will always be better and there will always be worse but you can only play like you... I don't have a great slapshot but a soft touch goes along ways.