flex loading and shooting

[xaero604 0]

Background

I've been playing ice for almost 2 years now - strictly pickup, however. My transition from inline hockey to ice took about a year and I took a powerskating class to get my skating up to a functional level. Now that I finally have a somewhat decent base, I've started to focus on other aspects of my game. I've come to realize that shooting is one of my biggest problems at the moment.

The Problem

I watched Kovalev's infomercial on Warrior.com a year ago and I believed him in that loading your stick is the key to a harder shot. Lately however, I've been rethinking that. I do agree with Kovalev when it comes to taking a slapshot but whenever I go to take a shot on net, putting all my weight on the stick does not produce the same effect. However, if I focus more on sweeping forward and less on flexing the stick, I get a harder and flatter shot. Am I shooting properly or do I have to find the middle ground between loading and sweeping forward?

Thanks in advance guys, I know this post is rather lengthy but I felt it was necessary to give a better description of my situation.

[thejackal 46]

how are your saucer passes? one thing i've noticed is that my wrist shots are a lot "heavier" when i put more spin on the puck kinda like when i do saucer passes. try "wiping" the blade of your stick across the puck (right to left if you're a righty, the opposite if you're lefty). i dont really think about doing that when im actually shooting to score, but it might help you in practice.

[xaero604 0]

although i don't use saucer passes much, when I do actively think about it and practice them with a friend, I do what you prescribe - that is intentionally introducing spin by running the puck from the heel all the way to the toe.

[thejackal 46]

also on wrist shots i just think about picking a corner and getting a shot off quick. leaning too much into it its counterproductive imo. another thing that may give u more pop is if you start the puck as far back on the heel of the blade as possible.

[habsfan87 0]

I'm the exact same way and I've been playing for over 10 years, I've always used stiff sticks. I think in Kovalevs case he's mastered what works best for him and he chooses stiff sticks because he can load them up and they whip even more. I've recently switched to a flexier stick to see if it can help, hadn't had enough time to determine if it has yet, definitely different on snap shots. I think I like it with the style I play now which is less and less slappers (which I like the stiffer sticks for). What kind of stiffness do you use? it sounds like you have the right technique and if its working stick with it, but if you want to try and get a bit more whip into your shot maybe try some different flexes. Also work on your release, not so much putting load on the stick, the quicker the release the more the stick will naturally load up.

[xdcx 0]

I have been having similar problems when shooting wristers. I try to lean into the shot and use the flex to get a decent hard shot but 7/10 times I will get the shot off and it seems to flutter of my blade, like it doesn't come off the blade cleanly. I know for a fact I am using a stick that is way to stiff for me and I am not really happy with the blade, so I am looking to get a new stick with a new curve to try and eliminate this problem a little more.

So that would be my suggestion to you. Maybe you are using a flex that is too stiff for you and this is preventing you using the flex to full advantage and getting that pop with the shot?

[Jarick 5]

I'd agree with the others you should at least try a lighter flex.

For wristers, I don't really concentrate on loading so much. I bring the puck behind my back foot, try and draw it across my body (where it loads up a little) while transferring my weight, then snap my wrists and point the toe or bottom hand at the target.

For snappers, I try to transfer my weight to my front foot, lean into the stick while cupping the puck, then "fling" it to the net by snapping my wrists. This is probably 90% of my shots. These are the shots Kovalev was demonstrating, and where I think the flex of your stick helps the most. Too whippy and your shots will fly all over the place as you're leaning too much into them; too stiff and you're not able to lean in the shot enough.

For slappers, I'm not the best, but I'll keep the puck near my front foot, bring the stick back, then transfer my weight and try to hit the ice a few inches behind the puck, continue shooting until I point at the net. This allows me to load the stick up even more. Again, flex is important because too whippy won't load the shot and it will come off weak, but too stiff and you won't load the shot much at all (and probably cause some pain).

Anyways, what I did was get a 70 flex stick (I'm 5'8" 165 but was closer to 185 at the time...obviously if you're a bigger guy you might want something a bit stiffer) and work on the fundamentals. Don't try to put so much power into the shot as get the weight transfer, stick loading, and wrist snapping technique better. It's like learning to walk before running. Go to a shooting range if you can find one and take a few hundred shots a few times a week. Timing is everything, and if you can commit these skills to muscle memory, you won't think about it in a game. Then as your shot gets better and you get stronger, increase the flex a bit to take advantage of the additional power. But if you can't lean into the shots as much, it's too stiff.

[lotus 2]

I definitely back trying a lower flex. While my my wristshot coming over from inline hockey has always been fine, the slapper wasn't. With a low flex I can't power my way through a slapper if I tried, but I really learn how to take a proper one. And it's kind of cool to take a relatively hard shot with little physical strength going towards it =P

[ean 0]

I try not to make a point of this but I see a number of members sticks in the for sale forum or in the equipment forum that are 100+ in flex. By and large this is just too much stick for your average (and even above average) player. However, I'm assuming that these said individuals aren't as strong as your average NHL player, so of course I could be wrong.

[lampliter87 8]

I went down in flex and my wrist shot got worse. But I never exactly had a Howitzer so whatever.

[xaero604 0]

thanks for the tips guys, i think i might just buy one of those synthetic ice pads and practice shooting with inlines skates on

To answer some questions, i'm 5'7 150lbs and i find that 85 flex uncut (which is my z-bubble without a buttend) produces the most consistent results for my shots overall, especially the slapshot.

from what i'm gathering here, i guess my problem is that i haven't been working on a quick release nearly as much as i have been working on loading the stick and transferring my weight. i'd hate to use the height excuse but i do think that for my lack of height, i don't have much leverage and i have to compensate by working harder on loading the stick because of my lack of weight. i do bench 190lbs for 5 reps cleanly though...it probably doesn't sound like much but it's a work in progress

[thejackal 46]

you could hand me your stick and i would be absolutely comfortable shooting with it, and i'm 6'2" 190. if you're at ease with your stick then just go out and shoot as many pucks as you can. ive been working on my shooting religiously for 4 years and im only beginning to approach true mastery.

[Chadd 916]

thanks for the tips guys, i think i might just buy one of those synthetic ice pads and practice shooting with inlines skates on

To answer some questions, i'm 5'7 150lbs and i find that 85 flex uncut (which is my z-bubble without a buttend) produces the most consistent results for my shots overall, especially the slapshot.

from what i'm gathering here, i guess my problem is that i haven't been working on a quick release nearly as much as i have been working on loading the stick and transferring my weight. i'd hate to use the height excuse but i do think that for my lack of height, i don't have much leverage and i have to compensate by working harder on loading the stick because of my lack of weight. i do bench 190lbs for 5 reps cleanly though...it probably doesn't sound like much but it's a work in progress

Bench press numbers mean absolutely nothing when it comes to shooting a hockey puck. It's technique, proper flex for your form and practice. Wrist/forearm strength and the ability to transfer your leg drive are the types of strength you need for your wrist (and slap) shot.

[P5man 0]

as far as wrist shots go, get the stick to do all of the work. Load up the stick before the shot, and make sure to follow through. The reason you're getting fluttering shots is you're getting lazy halfway through and releasing the stick's energy before it transfers to the puck. Stay low on it and drop your hips behind it.

Same for slapshots. Stay low all the way through and make sure to get the most out of the stick. Don't try to kill it.

[ean 0]

Background

I've been playing ice for almost 2 years now - strictly pickup, however. My transition from inline hockey to ice took about a year and I took a powerskating class to get my skating up to a functional level. Now that I finally have a somewhat decent base, I've started to focus on other aspects of my game. I've come to realize that shooting is one of my biggest problems at the moment.

The Problem

I watched Kovalev's infomercial on Warrior.com a year ago and I believed him in that loading your stick is the key to a harder shot. Lately however, I've been rethinking that. I do agree with Kovalev when it comes to taking a slapshot but whenever I go to take a shot on net, putting all my weight on the stick does not produce the same effect. However, if I focus more on sweeping forward and less on flexing the stick, I get a harder and flatter shot. Am I shooting properly or do I have to find the middle ground between loading and sweeping forward?

Thanks in advance guys, I know this post is rather lengthy but I felt it was necessary to give a better description of my situation.

If you are putting all your weight on your stick then you are shooting improperly. Did you see Kovalev fall over on his face after taking that shot? Because that's what happens when you put all your weight on your stick and shoot, once your stick leaves the ice you'll fall right over.

Roller hockey pucks are much lighter than ice. Also, there tends to be much more friction between blade and roller hockey court surfaces. You combine these two, and you can usually get a very good shot with faster release by NOT flexing the stick and just sweeping it off. On an ice surface, you've got a heavier puck and you've also got less friction between stick and surface. So it's much more ideal to load up the stick. You don't need to change your motion. Use your same roller hockey shot motion but this time just apply some pressure downward simultaneously, as you release let the flex of the stick as it unloads take the puck top shelf. And then be sure to put your stick in an imaginary sheath right in front of the goalie, because you're now a sniper.

[Jarick 5]

Bench press numbers mean absolutely nothing when it comes to shooting a hockey puck. It's technique, proper flex for your form and practice. Wrist/forearm strength and the ability to transfer your leg drive are the types of strength you need for your wrist (and slap) shot.

No wonder I've got a decent shot, I can barely bench 115 pounds, but I've got forearms like Popeye (drumming since I was a tyke). They're almost as big as my biceps.

[thejackal 46]

another popeye here. i have nothing in terms of bicep strength (relatively speaking) and im pretty bad at pushups.

[ktang 34]

Bench press numbers mean absolutely nothing when it comes to shooting a hockey puck. It's technique, proper flex for your form and practice. Wrist/forearm strength and the ability to transfer your leg drive are the types of strength you need for your wrist (and slap) shot.

No wonder I've got a decent shot, I can barely bench 115 pounds, but I've got forearms like Popeye (drumming since I was a tyke). They're almost as big as my biceps.

I think the drumming action is more similar to shooting than doing wrist curls.

[adam14 182]

thanks for the tips guys, i think i might just buy one of those synthetic ice pads and practice shooting with inlines skates on

To answer some questions, i'm 5'7 150lbs and i find that 85 flex uncut (which is my z-bubble without a buttend) produces the most consistent results for my shots overall, especially the slapshot.

from what i'm gathering here, i guess my problem is that i haven't been working on a quick release nearly as much as i have been working on loading the stick and transferring my weight. i'd hate to use the height excuse but i do think that for my lack of height, i don't have much leverage and i have to compensate by working harder on loading the stick because of my lack of weight. i do bench 190lbs for 5 reps cleanly though...it probably doesn't sound like much but it's a work in progress

Bench press numbers mean absolutely nothing when it comes to shooting a hockey puck. It's technique, proper flex for your form and practice. Wrist/forearm strength and the ability to transfer your leg drive are the types of strength you need for your wrist (and slap) shot.

I wouldn't necesarily (sp?) bring leg drive into the equation, because for me, in most cases, when i shoot the puck im in motion, so i dont have time to tilt my body sideways and transfer my weight, instead i take a "off balance" (being right handed, lifting up my left leg) shot, mostly a snapper..

[thejackal 46]

if you;re already moving there's no need for a leg drive, just keep skating and let it rip.

[xaero604 0]

I totally feel enlightened now!

I set up a net in my garage today, laced up my inlines (to simulate the height, not necessarily the instability of ice skates) and shot some regular pucks. You guys are right - putting all my weight into the stick/puck when shooting a wrister is totally counterproductive. The shot just flutters and is disappointingly weak. I can imagine how much that is amplified on ice when there is no friction to help me load the stick further. In a sense, what I've been doing in the past is just using the rebound of the shaft to shoot.

On a side note, I had a chance to shoot with all my sticks and I'm starting to see why Chadd and so many others on this forum like the XN10 so much. I can't explain it, but out of all my sticks (z-bubble, 7k prostock, synergy sl, mission l-2, response lite r10 prostock), it just shoots harder.

Also, I can see why the Drury curve is popular...it's just awesome for wrist shots. The puck always goes high, flat, and with mega-spin.

Anyway, thanks for the all the advice, guys - I appreciate it.

A moderator can close this topic if they deem it necessary.

[Chadd 916]

if you;re already moving there's no need for a leg drive, just keep skating and let it rip.

Joe Sakic has said repeatedly that his legs are the main source of power on his wrist shot and he has one of the best wristers in the league. If you aren't transferring power from your legs, you're leaving power on the table.

[thejackal 46]

if you;re already moving there's no need for a leg drive, just keep skating and let it rip.

Joe Sakic has said repeatedly that his legs are the main source of power on his wrist shot and he has one of the best wristers in the league. If you aren't transferring power from your legs, you're leaving power on the table.

what i usally think of when shooting on the move is just taking a stride into the shot while drawing the the puck back and letting it go right away. if i think about "leg drive" it just makes the whole shot feel less fluid and effective.

[gxc999 7]

Thanks you guys for all the tips. I'm an inline player and always wondered about some of the difference in ice and inline shooting technique. One more thing, so lower flex is generally preferable for inline than ice, right?

[adam14 182]

Thanks you guys for all the tips. I'm an inline player and always wondered about some of the difference in ice and inline shooting technique. One more thing, so lower flex is generally preferable for inline than ice, right?

flex is all about what you like, some people like stiff sticks, others like em whippy, theres no this is good for inline this is good for ice... there are certain outlines, like your flex should be about half of your weight... but its what you like in the end..