The four basic hockey shots are a wrist shot, snap shot, slap shot and backhand shot. Some of those shots are more powerful, some are more accurate and some release quicker. And each shot has a different form. But the key to making each shot powerful is in the shift of your shift. Start with your weight on your back foot and then shift it to your front foot as you shoot.
Wrist Shot
Line up for a wrist shot with your body at a 45-degree angle to the net and the puck in the middle of your stick, even with your back leg. You don't actually lift a leg off the ice when taking a wrist shot. Instead you start with your weight on your back leg and as you bring the puck forward and release the shot, your weight transfers to your front leg. As this happens, the toe on your back foot drags along the ice and your heel is lifted. As you bring the puck forward, you twist your wrist and follow-through, ending with your stick blade pointing at your target.
Snap Shot
Line up the snap shot like the wrist shot, with your weight on your back foot and body at a 45-degree angle to the net. Lift your stick behind you so it is above your waist but below your shoulders. Then bring the stick forward, let it hit the ice 3 inches behind the puck and then as you make contact with the puck, drive your weight down onto your stick and into your front foot. Snap your wrists as you hit the puck and follow-through with the stick pointing toward the net.
Slap Shot
The slap shot form is the same as the snap shot, except your start with your stick raised higher. Also, you take a step as you shoot, completely switching your weight from the back foot to the front foot. This gives a powerful, but less accurate, shot.
Backhand Shot
Like the forehand shots, backhands require you to shift your weight from the back foot to the front foot. Line the puck up behind or even with your back foot. Then bring your arms across your body as you shoot the puck. Roll your wrists while bringing the arms across and end with the toe of your stick pointing at your target. While you shoot, shift your body weight to your front foot.
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