What you'll need:
Some pucks or some balls or both, the more the better. A hockey stick. A target (A goal, a board, a garbage can) something that can take the beating and won't get you're folks mad. A safe place to shoot where you won't break your house (or your neighbors house!) or injure local wildlife. This drill can be done in skates or shoes.
Line up as many pucks/balls as you can find. Place them in a row in a relatively straight line 5-10 feet across the front of the target. It doesn't have to be perfectly straight, just enough can take a shot and step into the next one without having to travel too far. Space them about a blades distance apart or further (but not much further).
With feeling for where your target is and determination in your soul step into each puck or ball and send it on its way. Make a quick recovery and fire the next in line until you're done.
Gather up your pucks/balls and line them up again and repeat again using your backhand shot.
Your shots should be quick and precise, pick your spots. Decide where you want to put your shots, either in a certain corner or hitting each corner in turn going to each one clockwise or counter-clockwise. Grip your stick tightly, tell yourself to Grip it and rip it and really put your power into it, exploding through the puck or ball with a snap of the wrists as you make contact with it. Although you attention will be spread between your target, your weight shift and your grip, put your most intense focus on your wrists and how quickly you can flow through to each shot with an explosive snap.
Ideally the puck/ball should be be in front of you where your stick drives through and is centered between your feet or just slightly toward your forward foot. Use your whole body to step into it. These are quick shots so don't overdo the body language but still feel the power coming from your back foot and blazing through you to the snap of your release.
Follow through with intent to your target by pointing the blade of your stick at where you want the puck to go but don't linger there, get set for the next shot.
If your shots are going wild try rolling your blade and wrists over on the follow through. If you're having trouble getting height roll them under, especially if you're in close and want to roof it.
This drill is great for all shoots: snap, wristers, slap & backhands. Don't neglect the backhand shots because you want to be able to shoot from anywhere, not just from where it's ideal. Plus, working your shot forehand and backhand makes BOTH ways stronger, smoother and improves your ability to send strong backhand passes accurately which makes you doubly dangerous when you have the puck.
Snipers on every team in every league practice this drill relentlessly. It will train your body to recover quickly and minimize your backswing so you get the maximum efficiency from your shot and not waste anything on long-winded wind-ups. It is also an anaerobic workout for your wrists and arms and you will gain strength quickly. Just feel how spent your wrists feel after a few rounds doing this drill.
Variations
For variety practice all types of shots at varying distances and angles. You can also back into each shot instead of walking forward into each one.
If you're really inspired hang or draw targets inside of your main target. Aluminum cans make a great sound when you hit them and they're easy to find and hang by a string. Challenge yourself to see how many times in a row you can hit a specific target.
If you feel yourself getting stuck switch hands and try shooting the opposite way that you're used to, even if your blade is curved the wrong way. You'll feel awkward at first but with a little practice you can get amazingly proficient at it. There are two big payoffs to this: 1) Once in a great while you may find yourself twisted or held a certain way and the only way to move the puck where you want it is to switch your hands and fire. Gordie Howe did this maneuver all game every time he played and it was not only maddening for opponents it was also one of the reasons Detroit decided to invite him to their training camp. 2) If you practice shooting the wrong or opposite way it actually improves your ability when you switch back, it forces new neural/muscular growth and creates a better balance in the body. Also, after all the stress of coordinating a maneuver that you're unfamiliar with, switching back is a such a relief that you will find profound ease and power in coming back to something you are familiar with.
The game we all love is based on how many goals are scored & shooting is something you can never practice too much of. It can be difficult to get enough shooting practice at the rink so a good home practice can truly take your game to the next level. This isn't something your coach or anyone else can give you, you have to take matters into your own hands and this simple drill is a great tool to turning your shot into the most feared weapon in any league.
Some pucks or some balls or both, the more the better. A hockey stick. A target (A goal, a board, a garbage can) something that can take the beating and won't get you're folks mad. A safe place to shoot where you won't break your house (or your neighbors house!) or injure local wildlife. This drill can be done in skates or shoes.
Line up as many pucks/balls as you can find. Place them in a row in a relatively straight line 5-10 feet across the front of the target. It doesn't have to be perfectly straight, just enough can take a shot and step into the next one without having to travel too far. Space them about a blades distance apart or further (but not much further).
With feeling for where your target is and determination in your soul step into each puck or ball and send it on its way. Make a quick recovery and fire the next in line until you're done.
Gather up your pucks/balls and line them up again and repeat again using your backhand shot.
Your shots should be quick and precise, pick your spots. Decide where you want to put your shots, either in a certain corner or hitting each corner in turn going to each one clockwise or counter-clockwise. Grip your stick tightly, tell yourself to Grip it and rip it and really put your power into it, exploding through the puck or ball with a snap of the wrists as you make contact with it. Although you attention will be spread between your target, your weight shift and your grip, put your most intense focus on your wrists and how quickly you can flow through to each shot with an explosive snap.
Ideally the puck/ball should be be in front of you where your stick drives through and is centered between your feet or just slightly toward your forward foot. Use your whole body to step into it. These are quick shots so don't overdo the body language but still feel the power coming from your back foot and blazing through you to the snap of your release.
Follow through with intent to your target by pointing the blade of your stick at where you want the puck to go but don't linger there, get set for the next shot.
If your shots are going wild try rolling your blade and wrists over on the follow through. If you're having trouble getting height roll them under, especially if you're in close and want to roof it.
This drill is great for all shoots: snap, wristers, slap & backhands. Don't neglect the backhand shots because you want to be able to shoot from anywhere, not just from where it's ideal. Plus, working your shot forehand and backhand makes BOTH ways stronger, smoother and improves your ability to send strong backhand passes accurately which makes you doubly dangerous when you have the puck.
Snipers on every team in every league practice this drill relentlessly. It will train your body to recover quickly and minimize your backswing so you get the maximum efficiency from your shot and not waste anything on long-winded wind-ups. It is also an anaerobic workout for your wrists and arms and you will gain strength quickly. Just feel how spent your wrists feel after a few rounds doing this drill.
Variations
For variety practice all types of shots at varying distances and angles. You can also back into each shot instead of walking forward into each one.
If you're really inspired hang or draw targets inside of your main target. Aluminum cans make a great sound when you hit them and they're easy to find and hang by a string. Challenge yourself to see how many times in a row you can hit a specific target.
If you feel yourself getting stuck switch hands and try shooting the opposite way that you're used to, even if your blade is curved the wrong way. You'll feel awkward at first but with a little practice you can get amazingly proficient at it. There are two big payoffs to this: 1) Once in a great while you may find yourself twisted or held a certain way and the only way to move the puck where you want it is to switch your hands and fire. Gordie Howe did this maneuver all game every time he played and it was not only maddening for opponents it was also one of the reasons Detroit decided to invite him to their training camp. 2) If you practice shooting the wrong or opposite way it actually improves your ability when you switch back, it forces new neural/muscular growth and creates a better balance in the body. Also, after all the stress of coordinating a maneuver that you're unfamiliar with, switching back is a such a relief that you will find profound ease and power in coming back to something you are familiar with.
The game we all love is based on how many goals are scored & shooting is something you can never practice too much of. It can be difficult to get enough shooting practice at the rink so a good home practice can truly take your game to the next level. This isn't something your coach or anyone else can give you, you have to take matters into your own hands and this simple drill is a great tool to turning your shot into the most feared weapon in any league.
