How To Take a WristshotSKODA

The wrist shot is the most used shot in the game, and also results in the most goals. The wrist shot is the first shot that a hockey player should learn because it is the most versatile shot and it teaches the fundamentals of shooting that many other types of shots use. In this article you will learn the fundamentals of the wrist shot. These tips will help you have a smoother shot, more power and more accuracy. This is great if you want to learn, or improve your shot.
Proper Hand Location

The first step to taking a good shot is making sure your hands are in the right spot. Your top hand should be in it’s standard location, on the top of the stick with the V between your thumb and index finger lined up with the top of the shaft. To line up your bottom hand – while holding the stick with your top hand – touch your elbow to your top hand and then grab the stick with your bottom hand. This is the highest that you want to hold the stick with your bottom hand. A little lower is fine.
Set-Up
Start with the puck in front of your body, knees slightly bent in the hockey stance, have your shoulder facing the target. This allows you to draw the puck across your body for more power.
Step 1 – draw the puck back

Drawing the puck back will add more power to your shot, ensure that you are still well balanced with your stance, you do not want your shot preparation to compromise your balance. As you pull the puck back you want to also load up your back leg (ensure that your back leg is bent). The puck should also be cupped with the blade of the stick to ensure the puck stays on the blade throughout the entire shot. Remember to get your hands away from your body
Step 2 – Pull the puck towards the net
With both hands pull the puck towards the net, and slightly in towards your body. This adds speed to the puck, and bringing the puck in towards your body a bit will allow you to lean on the stick a bit and flex it. Flexing the stick will add potential energy into the stick, which will be released later in the shot and give the shot more power. As you are pulling the puck towards the net your hands will move across your body and the blade of the stick should naturally open up, which will later allow the puck to come off the ice.
Step 3 – The snap

Once the puck is lined up with your front foot you are ready to “pull the trigger”. You want to really pull back with the top hand and push with the bottom hand. This motion adds a lot of extra power onto the shot, remember to also roll your wrists during this motion for better control and accuracy.
Step 4 – the follow through

The follow through should dictate where the puck goes. If you follow through low and roll your wrists over the puck will stay low, if you follow through high and do not roll the wrists over as much the puck will go higher (possibly over the net, so be careful)

Wrist Shot Video Lesson

Embed video here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MqYx_FYiAAg
Additional tips for power
Remember that in all shots power comes from the legs, core, arms, weight transfer, and the stick. Understanding how each of these elements add power to the shot will help you use each one together for more power. Some situations on the ice will require more use of the legs and weight transfer, while other situations may require more power from the arms and stick. Work on using all parts of the body, and the stick, to get more power in your shot and try isolating each part of your body during practice so you understand how to harness the power.
Additional tips for Accuracy

• Look where you are shooting – it is amazing how easy it is to hit a target if you just look at it. This is especially important during practice, train yourself to look at the target when you shoot.
• Practice shooting from different distances so you can be accurate from all areas of the ice
• Don’t just aim for the corners, there are other great spots to score, like just over the goalies pads and the 5 hole (between the goalies legs)