How to Take a Wrist Shot

Jamie McGrath Procedure ENG 352

Preface:

This guide is meant to be used by someone who has never played hockey before.

It is best to follow all safety guidelines when playing street or ice hockey, and to wear the proper safety equipment. Please be aware that swinging a stick or a flying hockey puck/ball can possibly cause injury to the head or face area. For simplicity’s sake, we will assume the shooter shoots right handedly.

The wrist shot is the most simple and basic shot in the sport of ice hockey, or in this case, street hockey. Before anything else can be learned, this shot must be mastered.

Step One – The Hockey Stick

- The average hockey stick should come up to about your chin while you are

holding it, with the front of the blade (the small, flatter part along the bottom)

touching the ground.

- The average stick is made of wood and fiberglass layered for about 8 layers, this

is for reinforcing purposes.

- A cheap stick can cost as low as 15 dollars and should be

available at any local sports shops. Step Two – Preparation

- It is best to use and wear a pair of hockey gloves when holding the stick,

preventing splinters. Not required, but recommended.

- Also, ‘hockey tape’ can be purchased for about three

dollars per roll and its very important when playing

hockey. While not necessary for this guide, it is

suggested.

- Be sure to let everyone around you know what is going on and to clear your front

and sides. Safety is very important when doing this, because the stick will be

swung forward very quickly, and the puck/ball will fly fast.

Step Three – Body Position

- Place left hand four to eight inches from the top end of the stick. Place right hand

approximate 18 to 24 inches below your left hand, and in each case your thumb

should be pointed towards the bottom of the stick.

- Be sure that the bottom part (blade) is flat on the ground.

- The stick can lean against your thighs when

resting, parallel to the ground.

- Before the shot can be taken, you must have the

stick at an approximate 45 degree angle with the

ground. - The blade of the stick should be on the right side of your stance, your feet

approximate two feet apart.

- Your right foot should be positioned about one foot behind your left foot; this

completes the proper stance for shooting a wrist shot.

Step Four – Taking the Shot

- Start by securing the puck in the middle of the stick blade.

- Begin with most of your body weight resting on your back foot.

- As you begin a sweeping motion, push the stick and puck forward with the lower

hand while at the same time bringing your upper hand towards your body.

- Shift your body weight towards your front foot and into the motion of the stick.

- Your entire upper body should be moving with the stick, this will allow you to get

the maximum force behind the shot and provide better results. - As you slide the stick forward, cupping the puck, you should be turning your

wrists forward.

- When the stick blade reaches your front foot, you should snap your wrists

forward, which will lift the puck off the ground if

performed properly.

- The follow through is key, because where you end

up pointing with the blade of the stick is the general

direction that the puck will go.

Follow Up

- A properly executed wrist shot will allow for the puck to travel anywhere up to 50

feet through the air.

- Pointing with the stick on the follow through of the shot will allow you to control

the path of the puck, very key in hockey games.

- When skating at high speeds, it is very common to lift up the back leg and put all

the weight on the leg closest to

the puck and stick side,

creating much more power in

the shot.