Off-foot shot

[tsanga 0]

When do you guys decide when to shoot off your off foot?

Take a look at this goal by Gaborik. He obviously has all the time in the world to shoot whichever way he can, but he chooses to shoot off his off foot.

I've seen guys like Sakic do it a bunch too, but never understood when you decide to do that.

EDIT: Let me clarify: an off-foot shot for a RH shooter would be finishing with the weight on the right foot. A slapshot finish would be weight on left foot; slapshots are almost never taken from the "off foot."

[sharks_34 0]

I generally tend to shoot off the 'wrong' foot when I'm in motion and shoot a one-timer, but the pass is poor (late).

Other than that, I've read that it may be effective to shoot 'in stride' as it is less expected by the keeper.

[mickz 107]

I shoot with my off foot for snap shots. For all other shots (slappers, wristers) I use my 'proper' foot. I can't really explain why I do this but it feels more natural.

[english15x 3]

that video looks like he just cuts both his feet one way and snaps in the corner. correct me if I am wrong.

[Jarick 5]

Gaborik more than any other player I've watched (which is limited) does seem to enjoy shooting from the "wrong" foot. Mainly with snap shots. I've tried it in practice, and with snap shots, it doesn't screw up the shot (aim, speed) as much as wrist or slap shots. I could see it throwing off the goalie, if you've got the puck in front of you, and he expects you to draw it back for a shot.

[adam14 182]

correct me if im wrong, but is your off foot the one closest to your stick, if im right handed, my right foot, but then doesnt ovechkin do it all the time?

[Konig von Kuhlem 0]

Yes, for a RH shot it's your right foot.

I've trained myself to shoot on my off foot when I come racing in along the wing (with either a wrister or snapper) especially when I want to pick a top corner.

[tsanga 0]

Yes, for a RH shot it's your right foot.

I've trained myself to shoot on my off foot when I come racing in along the wing (with either a wrister or snapper) especially when I want to pick a top corner.

What's your reasoning?

[msander 0]

I have to really think about it, because it's not something done consciously, but I'm pretty certain I always shoot from my off foot when I'm in motion. If off foot equals right foot for a RH, then that's the case. I'm not sure I ever do, or could, shoot off my other leg at high speed...

[Super Star 0]

I shoot from my off foot when I have a shot. If I see a shooting lane I'll shoot not matter what foot I'm on. But if I have choice off-foot gives a bit of a deceptive release to beat the goalie.

[lampliter87 8]

I shoot from my off foot when I have a shot. If I see a shooting lane I'll shoot not matter what foot I'm on. But if I have choice off-foot gives a bit of a deceptive release to beat the goalie.

One of Ovechkin's favorite moves that he especially uses during shoot-outs is shooting of his "off foot". Watch the very first clip:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=1sNxKhB71X0

He uses his left leg to kick and fool the goaltender as to when he is going to shoot, and then snaps it high glove side.

[ultraman7k 0]

i almost shoot exclusively using the off foot for my wristers and snappers. i think it makes it harder for the goalie to read where i'm shooting...then again, i have been mired in a humongous funk lately so...

[Fletch 219]

Pretty much the only time I shoot off my off foot when I am playing the "wrong" side (in my case, LW).

Another time I do it is when I try a move that I like to do - I come down the left side (I'm a RH shot) in a one on one, and I cut to the middle as the d-man stays with me. If he has his stick out for the poke, I try to slide the puck under his stick as I'm moving laterally and he's with me. If all works out, I lift my stick up as the puck is moving under his stick and basically one-time it off my own pass. But when I do this it happens so fast that I am forced to shoot off my off foot, but that's ok...I've scored on it quite a few times.

[GrafPro55 0]

I shoot left. If I am taking a wrist shot or snap shot, I always shoot off my left foot. That is the only way to use your core to power the shot. I never actually considered it my "off foot". All my weight is on my right foot when I take a slapshot. Am I misunderstanding you guys? You take wrist shots with all your weight on your left foot when you are a RH shot?

[oggy_3 0]

I never thought of this but i guess when taking wrist shots i do lean back with my right foot forward and transfer my weight. But when i take a snap shot my blade is basically parallel with my left foot as long as i am in stride. I shoot Left btw.

[GrafPro55 0]

I never really thought much about it either. it just happens.

[Fletch 219]

I shoot left. If I am taking a wrist shot or snap shot, I always shoot off my left foot. That is the only way to use your core to power the shot. I never actually considered it my "off foot". All my weight is on my right foot when I take a slapshot. Am I misunderstanding you guys? You take wrist shots with all your weight on your left foot when you are a RH shot?

No - off foot shooting. RH players shoot off the right foot, LH players shoot off the left foot.

Examples -

[english15x 3]

I shoot left. If I am taking a wrist shot or snap shot, I always shoot off my left foot. That is the only way to use your core to power the shot. I never actually considered it my "off foot". All my weight is on my right foot when I take a slapshot. Am I misunderstanding you guys? You take wrist shots with all your weight on your left foot when you are a RH shot?

Yeah I was under the influence that off-foot was your opposite side. RH shoots while on Left Foot. I shoot like this all the time, it's the only natural way I take snap shots. It definitely is best to shoot on right foot, right handed and using your core to help(as stated above).

Man this whole time I was thinking you guys were talking about the other foot.

[Aussie Joe 0]

When I coached I always taught kids it was a great shot to learn for quick release purposes, but also if you are pushed off balance by a back checker and need to shot off the oppo foot.

Lately I have been trying to master the off foot slapper, its bloody difficult to say the least.

[marc_9 0]

Im RH I always shoot on my off foot for wrist shots for some reason shooting on my left foot for wrist shots feels awkward and I don't feel I can get as much power as when im on my off foot.

[msander 0]

Ok, sorry to beat this to death, but people seem to be saying different things.

Is the definition of "off-foot" the foot that is on the same side of your body as your stick ie. A person that shoots RH, whose stick is on the right side of their body shooting on their RIGHT leg can be considered to be shooting from their off-leg?

Because if that's so, I don't see what's so unusual about this. If you watch some NHL video clips, unless a guy is standing still, or coasting w/ tons of time, they all will shoot from their "off leg".

[Aussie Joe 0]

If RH then transfering from left to right, or snapping just on the right. Not the traditional way of a wrist shot, where if RH you transfer from right to left foot. Hence the off foot is the one not generally finishing the shot on.

Also, most of the guys in the NHL do it easily because 1: They are highly skilled/trained athletes and 2: They have a higher level of power generated from a shot that takes time and patience to get any sort of force out of if you are reg joe like all of us.

[Tailboard Jockey 25]

When I'm falling. :D

[tsanga 0]

If RH then transfering from left to right, or snapping just on the right. Not the traditional way of a wrist shot, where if RH you transfer from right to left foot. Hence the off foot is the one not generally finishing the shot on.

Also, most of the guys in the NHL do it easily because 1: They are highly skilled/trained athletes and 2: They have a higher level of power generated from a shot that takes time and patience to get any sort of force out of if you are reg joe like all of us.

What he said. :lol:

When my original post said "off foot," that would be finishing with weight on the right foot for a RH shot.

In all of sports - golf, baseball, tennis, beginner hockey - you are always taught to transfer weight from back to front. This means, for a RH shooter, shoulders parallel with the target line and weight shifting from right to left. This alignment generates the highest weight transfer, balance and power.

Yet I see guys like Iginla, Gaborik and Sakic unleash ungodly snap shots all the time without this fundamental weight shift.

I need to be enlightened.

[Aussie Joe 0]

Practice, Practice, Practice, Practice, Practice... you get the point. ;)