How to Improve Your Wrist Shot (3 Drills)
Nikita Kucherov, Alexander Ovechkin, Auston Matthews, Vladimir Tarasenko and the list just goes on and on. What all of these players have in common, apart from being NHL stars, is that they all have lethal wrist shots. Even from a considerable distance they are scoring threats and though their shot speed is a factor, it isn’t the whole story.
Tips for Improving Wrist Shot: Power, Accuracy and Release.
The keys to a dangerous wristshot are a quick release and varying release points and both require getting a lot of regular reps in your training routine. Ice-time for practice shooting can be hard to find so this is best done at home, on your own time, and as often as you can fit it into your schedule. NHL players like Kucherov or Aaron Ekblad routinely shoot 100-200 pucks a day.
Off-ice practice
In the video posted here, Trevor Lindros demonstrates these simple drills on an Xtraice Home synthetic ice surface but they can be done wherever you normally shoot at home. Being on skates when you shoot is really important as it will affect your mechanics.
Drill 1: Stationary- 10 shots at each to each corner and the 5 hole
Shooting from the stationary position is a good way to warm up your mechanics before you skate. Since you’re not moving, you’ll have to use your body mechanics and stick flex to generate power. Practice staying low so you can maximize the weight transfer from your back leg to your front leg as you release the shot. This will also help you load your stick, getting every bit of power the flex has to offer.
This is a good time to practice shooting from different spots. A great addition is to practice starting with the puck in a normal shooting position and then dragging it towards your feet as you shoot to change the angle on the goalie (as well as to avoid a D man’s shinpads)
Drill 2: 20 reps out of each corner
Attacking the net from each corner will allow you to practice the differing mechanics of shooting out of each turn. You should be shooting off the leg closest to the puck so that you can shoot as quickly as possible, maximizing your chances of scoring in a game. As you move through the drills vary your targets and make sure you get plenty of low shots in as well, as they can be challenging for goalies, specifically when there is traffic in front of the net.
Be patient about your power. It will come with time and practice as your mechanics set in.
Drill 3: Add a pass to the previous drill
If you don’t have a partner, you can use a puck passing machine.
Adding a pass will force you to work on getting your shot off quickly as you’ll have to receive the puck and shoot from in tight, close to the net. Remember to practice good technique and to receive the pass, look at your target and then shoot. You always want to pick your spot before shooting. Shooting from memory is to be avoided. This drill will also help you deal with receiving less than perfect passes, which is valuable since it simulates game situations.
Now get out there and get those daily reps in!! Good luck!!
