Kim Gentes

Cody Gentes (my son) during a gameI am not a great hockey player. Average really. I can skate, but not a great puck handler, and no offensive giant. But I enjoy playing, like the exercise, enjoy the comradery, and I can take a healthy slapshot. Admittedly, I've tried to bring more control to my shot in the last few years, but over the years a few players have asked about how to take a slap shot with power. Someone even asked me to post it on a league message board. So I decided I would post it here- who knows, maybe it can help someone.

Adding Power to your slap shot.

As a defensive player, the opportunities to take the puck to the net are less a priority than protecting the slot and keeping the puck inside the blue line while my team is in the offensive zone. That said, I want to take advantage of times when there is a clear shot at the net. Most times on defense, that comes in the form of a shot from the point or a one-timer when you pass through the upper slot. So the whole point is that whatever shot you get, if you are choosing to use a slap shot, it's important to get some serious wood on the puck. But whether you are a forward, center or defense, getting power on your slap shot has a few simple considerations. Here are the steps I think of when going for a slap shot.

• Square up- If you are receiving a pass, skate towards the net as you line up the pass, so that your body is squarely facing the net when you receive the pass. At the least, turn your body so that you are lined up (if you are planted on a point) BEFORE the puck gets there.
• Key: Transfer weight from one leg to another- Making a strong slap shot requires similar overall mechanics as swinging a baseball bat. For a decent shot, you MUST move your weight distribution from one leg to another. The key to power in the shot is converting the transfer of weight from one leg to another into the energy being exerted in the swing of the stick. In other words, that weight shift should be the focus of the power that propels your shot, not just the swinging of your arms. Like a good baseball swing, when you combine the power of your weight transfer through your hips into the swing of your stick (bat) the swing power is multiplied.
• Counterbalance stick raise with opposite leg- As you line up for the shot, raise the stick to a comfortable height. At the same time raise the opposite leg. What you are trying to create is a balancing pendulum with your shooting arm and the opposite leg. Neither your stick height nor opposite leg height needs to be too high. Most of the time, people raise the stick too much, but don't raise their opposite leg enough.
• You should be planning for your skating to attain mid-stride (the point of transition between your lifted leg opposite to your shooting side and your leg on your shooting side) at the point where you receive/shoot with the puck.
• As you begin your swing downward, you begin moving your weight from your shooting leg to the opposite leg. This means your opposite leg will begin in the raised position and your shooting side leg will end up being raised at the end of the shot.
• A weak slap shot is often typified by the shooter remaining flat-footed, with both feet on the ice during the shot. There are exceptions to this- if you have a lot of strength (or weight) and great balance, you may not have to lift your leg or stick all that much at all, but most people don't have the coordination to do that. Still, even those people will get a stronger shot by raising the stick and leg to created energy.
• Accuracy of the shot is another issue, but you simply should keep in mind to FOLLOW THROUGH with aiming the stick towards the target (as though you are pointing with the tip of the blade towards the target).
• As "weekend warriors" most of us have a tough time lining up the shot, and gaining power through the swing.  If you walk through the above steps in your mind, and practice the motions without your equipment and skates on it may help to break down the points of it. Then when you are on the ice, be sure to practice them, instead of just scrimmaging and playing around.
• One thing to realize about any slap shot is that it leaves you defenseless to being knocked off balance during the shot. Be sure to practice it a lot so you won't get hurt during a game.

I hope that helps some.

For some more info, pictures and video on slapshots, check out this article:

Since this is normally a "deep thoughts" kind of blog, I suppose the idea of adding power to your slapshot could sound rather juevenile. For those who need a "deeper meaning", I offer this-

Like in the slapshot, real effectiveness (power) can only come in the midst of change- a shifting from one strength to another. As people, we often avoid moving from one known strength to something else. We feel weak during change, but it is in that time that the momentum of shift opens us up to the possibility of finding our stride, swinging for what matters, and driving our goals forward with uncommon power.

Kim Gentes