backhand help

[GoHawks 0]

Hey, sorry if this has been posted before... I didn't have much luck searching for it. I'm a newbie, been playing about 5 months, couple times a week. I can somewhat do slapshots, and my snapshots and wristers are fairly decent, but my backhand is terrible. I can't get the puck off the ice with it. Currently using a NBH woodie, 87 flex P92 Naslund curve. Any suggestions on raising my backhand shot/pass? I'd like to be able to roof it up close, but I know that's a long ways off. Again, sry if it's already been addressed, and thanks in advance for the help!

[Jake 0]

Start at the heel.

Try to transfer your weight to your backfoot.

[TBLfan 25]

Lower your lower hand, it will be easier to raise the puck... Once you figure out the motion you need move your hand back into a regular shooting position and try it.

[Chadd 916]

Very difficult curve for a beginner to develop their backhand. As mentioned for shots, get low. bend your knees and keep your center of gravity low, as well as your bottom hand. Start the puck very close to the heel and work the puck heel to toe. You need to have some momentum through the puck not just straight up.

For passes you can start in the middle *if you have to* since you aren't trying to lift the puck as much. You want you follow-through to be much lower than if you were trying to roof a shot as the higher you lift the puck, the less likely it is to go where you want it and land in a way that another player can control it.

[epstud74 24]

Very difficult curve for a beginner to develop their backhand. As mentioned for shots, get low. bend your knees and keep your center of gravity low, as well as your bottom hand. Start the puck very close to the heel and work the puck heel to toe. You need to have some momentum through the puck not just straight up.

For passes you can start in the middle *if you have to* since you aren't trying to lift the puck as much. You want you follow-through to be much lower than if you were trying to roof a shot as the higher you lift the puck, the less likely it is to go where you want it and land in a way that another player can control it.

Practice, practice and more practice.. The backhand isnt as hard as people think it is..I think the backhand is becoming a lost art.

[Storm 0]

What everyone eldse said and ...

Get 3 feet from the boards ... start dribbling and toss the puck off your backhand by making sure the angle the blade makes with the ice is greater than 90 degrees.

[GoHawks 0]

Thanks for the replies, I'll try everything out at the next stick and puck. I can see how the P92 isn't the best curve to learn backhand with, since it's fairly open at the toe. I was thinking for my next stick of going to a Lindros pattern or similar. Basically, I like the curve of the Naslund, but now that I have some experience with a stick in my hands, I don't think i need something quite as open. Again, thanks for the input guys, it's appreciated!

[TBLfan 25]

I would imagine that you'd want to get a little more speed before you roll your wrists just to get the puck off the ice and on your blade. If you get your timing right you'll be fine with a curve like the P92.

[technophile 0]

Thanks for the replies, I'll try everything out at the next stick and puck. I can see how the P92 isn't the best curve to learn backhand with, since it's fairly open at the toe. I was thinking for my next stick of going to a Lindros pattern or similar. Basically, I like the curve of the Naslund, but now that I have some experience with a stick in my hands, I don't think i need something quite as open. Again, thanks for the input guys, it's appreciated!

I have a Lindros curve and I've been practicing my backhand lately; as long as you get the motion right (the puck should "roll" from the heel out to the toe, that helps you slide the toe underneath and get the lift on it) you're halfway there. (The other half being the ability to do it while skating, from different areas around your body, etc... basically being able to do it in a game situation.)

[Trooper 8]

THE most important thing for the backhand is to stay under the puck. The most common mistake I see players making is taking the stick straight up in the air. If you want to lift something, you must be under it. The natural angle created by the backhand grip ensures that if you drive into and under the puck, the puck will get up in the air. If you try to lift too much with the stick, the puck will slide along the ice. Just maintain the natural angle the blade is on the puck and drive through the puck hard. Only at the VERY END of the "stroke" do you need to come up at all.

[Lfntn10 0]

Keep the blade at an angle. I take it at the heel and I keep my blade angle up

[EndBoards 0]

Chadd and Trooper have it..

The key to figuring it out is a low follow through - like just a few inches off the ice. The more you try to "scoop" under it, the less elevation you'll get. Also, good weight transfer is important as well.

The way I learned was similar to what was mentioned. Line up about 10 feet from the side boards. Start with the puck a little bit in front of your back foot, sweep through & transfer your weight, and follow through a few inches off the ice. After a little while, you'll be picking it up at a pretty severe angle with good pace.

If I had to guess, I'd say that I can actually elevate just as well - if not better with my backhand..