Defenseman shooting from near the blue line

[danielb 0]

I mostly play defense I tend to be taking most of my shots from at or near the blue line in my opponent's end. I have recently been working on my slapshot as that was the shot that was suggested for me to use. However I finding my shooting opportunities are limited by the length time required to wind up for a slap shot: even if I only raise my stick to waist level.

So I am starting to wonder if a snap shot or wrist shot would be more appropriate? The snap shot seems especially suited due to its nearly non-existent wind up. However I am very bad at snap shots and was hoping that you could give me some pointers to help me learn it. I don't seem to be able to get any power into my snap shot or lift the puck easily...

[andysly 1]

In my experience (as limited as it is) the most important thing is to get the puck through to the net regardless of the velocity. Taking a long wind up is ok if there isn't someone bearing down on you. But if the defender is too close you have to get it off asap or you run the risk of having it blocked and the defender going the other way on a breakaway.

Instead, get a wrister toward the net and give your forwards a chance to deflect it or pick up the rebound. And if your path to the net is cut off by the defender turn and dump it wide of the net into the corner. Again, that gives your forwards a chance to collect the puck.

[Moose 1]

Remember as a d your shot is worthless if it's slap-shot hard but too high and/or doesn't hit the net. I've always been taught to shoot for just inside the posts and to use the snap shot (as I have more control with it). As for practicing (beyond "keep shooting),if you're a d, I'd recommend having momentum as your friend. Don't do it from a stand still- either drag it off the boards some or skate fwd a bit some (see these looping videos) http://www.hockeyshot.com/articles.asp?id=156 If you're comfortable moving with the puck, it will help.

[Law Goalie 147]

The hardest shots to stop from the blueline are those where the defenceman is moving laterally along the line, changing the angle to the net and drawing the puck through and/or into screens before a quick release. It doesn't have to be a hard shot - in fact, a much slower shot with a 'silent' (eg. undetected) release is far more dangerous. Make sure it's always on net, but put it 12-16" off the ice to either side (but ideally to the blocker) and you will become a goalie's worst nightmare as a pointman.

Don't worry about getting off a snapshot per se; a wristshot is just fine. Accuracy, movement and a little bit of zip are all you need.

The other absolutely lethal moving shot - if your rink has springy dashers behind the net - is a shot to the short side less than 4" off the ice and about a foot wide of the net.

[danielb 0]

Thanks for the links to those videos: very helpful, I will need to try that drill with the tip of the stick on the ice when taking a snap shot.

I'm generally fairly accurate with the slap shot as I don't take my eyes off the target and I hit the goal more often than I miss, the issue seems more to be about not having sufficient time to take that shot.

If I am learning the snap shot do I need to be able to do a wrist shot first? And does having a whipper stick help? I'm currently using 100+ flex as I'm 6'2" and 230 lbs.

The hardest shots to stop from the blueline are those where the defenceman is moving laterally along the line, changing the angle to the net and drawing the puck through and/or into screens before a quick release. It doesn't have to be a hard shot - in fact, a much slower shot with a 'silent' (eg. undetected) release is far more dangerous. Make sure it's always on net, but put it 12-16" off the ice to either side (but ideally to the blocker) and you will become a goalie's worst nightmare as a pointman.

Don't worry about getting off a snapshot per se; a wristshot is just fine. Accuracy, movement and a little bit of zip are all you need.

Thanks for the advice Law Goalie, I will give that a try.

Should I be learning the wrist shot anyway before learning the snap shot?

[Moose 1]

Wrist shop is a nice shot from the point because you may be able to get it off quicker. I hate one-timer slap shots because the percentage of it not going well is too high. I tend to cradle the pass for a second then push it right back out with a wrist shot (as close t being a one timer without one-timing).

Also, I found that if I have a stick with too much whip I would feel like I'm flexing too much for a snap/wrist shot. Some people like the extra torque but I hated it (mind you I'm 6'5 and over 230 :)) I wouldn't say that you need one to know the other as they are different

If I am learning the snap shot do I need to be able to do a wrist shot first? And does having a whipper stick help? I'm currently using 100+ flex as I'm 6'2" and 230 lbs.

[danielb 0]

Wrist shop is a nice shot from the point because you may be able to get it off quicker. I hate one-timer slap shots because the percentage of it not going well is too high. I tend to cradle the pass for a second then push it right back out with a wrist shot (as close t being a one timer without one-timing).

Yeah I'd have to agree on the success chance of a slap shot from the point or blue line seems low, although it looks good visually. I really like the idea that Law Goalie suggested about moving across the blue line and using a less conspicuous shot like a wrist shot. I think that would have much more chance of success provided I can master the appropriate shot enough to get sufficient accuracy.

[Scoobersti 0]

Should I be learning the wrist shot anyway before learning the snap shot?

I think if you are still developing your wrist shot then you should work on the wrist shot before you start working on the slap shots. The wrist shot will be more useful if you decide to bring the puck up and skate closer to the net as well. I usually use a wrist or snap shot during games (I usually only take slap shots during warm ups when we do a half circle). I occasionally will shoot a slap shot if I'm wide open during the game, but most of the time I use the wrist or snap shot from the blue line. I prefer using those shots mostly because of accuracy.

[Law Goalie 147]

Frankly, the chances of an unscreened, undeflected slapshot from the blueline against a competent, level-appropriate goalie are effectively zero. Put Chara on the line and I doubt he'd score one in a hundred against an ECHL tender. The slapshot's chief advantages (at least in my experience) are shooting in full stride for maximum velocity, which you almost never get to do from the point, one-time shooting, and the ability to throw a fake shot or a slap-pass. Frankly, the slapshot is kind of like the players' equivalent of a goalie's poke-check: it's a greater threat than an actual weapon.

[danielb 0]

Should I be learning the wrist shot anyway before learning the snap shot?

I think if you are still developing your wrist shot then you should work on the wrist shot before you start working on the slap shots. The wrist shot will be more useful if you decide to bring the puck up and skate closer to the net as well. I usually use a wrist or snap shot during games (I usually only take slap shots during warm ups when we do a half circle). I occasionally will shoot a slap shot if I'm wide open during the game, but most of the time I use the wrist or snap shot from the blue line. I prefer using those shots mostly because of accuracy.

I focused on the slap shot as I play defense and that seemed to be what the other defense man I saw did but that sounds like that was a mistake. After reading all of your feedback I think I will focus on learning the wrist shot now :)

Frankly, the chances of an unscreened, undeflected slapshot from the blueline against a competent, level-appropriate goalie are effectively zero. Put Chara on the line and I doubt he'd score one in a hundred against an ECHL tender. The slapshot's chief advantages (at least in my experience) are shooting in full stride for maximum velocity, which you almost never get to do from the point, one-time shooting, and the ability to throw a fake shot or a slap-pass. Frankly, the slapshot is kind of like the players' equivalent of a goalie's poke-check: it's a greater threat than an actual weapon.

Excellent answer, that makes a lot of sense. I will refocus my efforts on mastering the wrist shot and shooting it while moving across the blue line as that sounds a lot more useful than a slap shot. So to summarise: a defense man on the blue line should mostly be passing the puck or shooting in with a wrist or snap shot while moving along the line rather than slap shot from a static position?

[Darshu 0]

The idea is that you want to get the highest percentage scoring chance possible when you have the puck on your stick. Everything the guys have been talking about is going to result in a loose puck in low slot, which is about as a good a chance as you're going to see.

[acqant 0]

Really any shot you get off that

1) goes in _ is great

2) gets to the goalie about shin high and leaves a juicy rebound _ is good

3) gets to the net at all _ is ok

4) is stopped _ sucks.

Also if you being stopped winding up for a slap shot your opponent is WAY too close to you. Keep you stick on the ice and go around him.

If he's in front of you aim knee high to one side or the other.

[Scoobersti 0]

I agree with what Darshu said, most of the time although I take shots from the point/blue line, I'm usually not taking it with hopes of scoring (while I wish I could score with awesome shots from the point, but I can't). Most of the time what I'm doing is shooting it so either one of my forwards can tip it in or hoping that a rebound will bounce in front of my teammate and they can score.

[JR97 2]

Another thing might be to work on your positioning in certain situations. If you can sneak in a little closer behind the wingers/center you can be in a good shooting position. Typically a power play type deal, but 5-5 situations will pop up if you start looking for it.

I prefer the wrist shot most of the time. I"m usually aiming for sticks or low corners. It drives me nuts watching some of the D on my time try and go top shelf with their wristers from the point.

[gxc999 7]

The half slap shot is a great option from the point. It has 1) less wind up and thus quicker release and 2) still 90% of the power of a full slapper but with greater accuracy for most people. A wrist shot is nice but will tend to spaz out before it gets to the deflection range, and will have no accuracy at all from 60 feet, unless your name is Kovalchuk or Ovechkin. A snap shot is a decent option, but the basic method of snap shot is just a 1/4 slap shot anyway:)

[danielb 0]

A snap shot is a decent option, but the basic method of snap shot is just a 1/4 slap shot anyway:)

Maybe its because I'm a relative beginner but the pulling in motion at the start of the snap shot makes it feel very different and more difficult to take than a slap shot.

[Guitarmy 0]

The "pull-in" toe drag motion before a snap shot is to change the angle of the shot. It's a very effective move, but you should focus on mastering the basic snapshot first.

[Law Goalie 147]

Absolutely - even a four-inch toe-drag into a snapshot from the point is enough to significantly change the shooting triangle.

[Chadd 916]

Sorry I missed this one while I was on the road. The most important thing is having your shot get through, everything after that is gravy. Most of your shots from the point are not really shots to score. They are shots to create scoring opportunities for the other guys on your team. Unless there is a screen or you have a blistering shot, you aren't going to beat a decent goalie from the blue line very often. Keep the shots low and make sure they don't get blocked, any shots that get on net and create scoring chances are the shots you should be taking.

One of the guys on my team doesn't have a hard shot but it never gets blocked. I'd rather have that guy on the blue line than one that blasts the puck into defenders all the time. That said, sometimes a harder shot will create bigger rebounds, overpower the goalie or even make defenders think twice about blocking shots. Long story short, use the shot that fits the situation and use it.

A snap shot is a decent option, but the basic method of snap shot is just a 1/4 slap shot anyway:)

Not really, a snap shot is one with no windup.

[rshark 0]

Since we're on the topic of playing D, does anyone have any tips on keeping the puck in the zone when it's shot up the boards when you're on your backhand facing the boards? I hope that makes sense, but I always have a problem of the puck slipping past my stick when I can't get my whole body over against the boards. Thanks

[Chadd 916]

Since we're on the topic of playing D, does anyone have any tips on keeping the puck in the zone when it's shot up the boards when you're on your backhand facing the boards? I hope that makes sense, but I always have a problem of the puck slipping past my stick when I can't get my whole body over against the boards. Thanks

If it's on the ice, put your toe against the boards to stop it. Just remember to angle your foot so you don't kick the puck out for one of their wingers to take the other way. If it's airborne, you might want to reach out for it if it isn't going too fast.

[phunky_monkey 6]

As Chadd said, not much you can do if you can't get your body there. It's important to anticipate the play and get your body up against those boards and let your offsider take the middle of the ice, and vice versa.

[Chadd 916]

As Chadd said, not much you can do if you can't get your body there. It's important to anticipate the play and get your body up against those boards and let your offsider take the middle of the ice, and vice versa.

My philosophy on that is the forechecker should be forcing the play to the boards and if there is no forecheck, you need to start backing out. If the other guy has the puck and his head up, you shouldn't be able to hold the puck in at the line. I'm starting to get way off topic though.

[chk hrd 164]

learn to use an accurate wrist shot first with a quick release. The puck needs to get to the net for anything to happen. As a forward who plays alot in front of the net there is nothing I can do if the puck doesn't get to the goalie. I can't deflect it, dig for rebounds or retrieve it from anywhere near the net. And keep the shots down, below knee level if possible. last game I thought I broke my hand because the D-Man shot a slapper from the blue line and it was about 4 feet off the ice and right at me. I tried to deflect it down but I was handcuffed because of where the puck was. Friggin thing hit me in the fat part of my thumb, palm side where there is no protection.

If you do use a slap shot take a short backswing on it, you'll get decent power with better accuracy. As a forward there is nothing more that I like than a D-man with a big wind up. It give you extra time to take away his time and space for the shot and alot of times you get a good deflection off of your shin guards that can lead to a good break way or at the very least gets the puck out of the zone..

[scorer75 9]

Why does everyone who starts playing hockey want to master the hockey stop and slap shot before working on more basic skills?