Defenseman shooting from near the blue line

[althoma1 574]

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.

+1 on keeping the shots down. As I was trying to set up the screen in front at a tournament a month ago I took a waist high shot off the hand that broke a finger. Of course you do see goals from NHL defensemen all the time that are high point shots...as an adult recreational player I definitely prefer low shots to anything at or above the waist when I'm in front of the net.

[Chadd 916]

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.

+1 on keeping the shots down. As I was trying to set up the screen in front at a tournament a month ago I took a waist high shot off the hand that broke a finger. Of course you do see goals from NHL defensemen all the time that are high point shots...as an adult recreational player I definitely prefer low shots to anything at or above the waist when I'm in front of the net.

If there is a screen it has to stay low. If there is nobody from your team in front of the net, tee it up. At least that's how I do it.

[danielb 0]

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

I only started learning to take slap shots after it was suggested I should start taking them from the blue line. But your right there does seem to be a distinct pattern of beginners gravitating towards the slap shot...

[interpathway 9]

a distinct pattern of beginners gravitating towards the slap shot...

It is the glamour shot in hockey. Beginning golfers love to drive the ball, even when 70% of your shots are taken from 100 yards and in. A well rounded arsenal of shots make you incredibly difficult to stop, whether from the point or point blank.

[chk hrd 164]

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

how many post do you see that go...I'm a pretty good skater, but need to learn to skate backwards or need to learn to stop. Then there is I'm a pretty good player but how do I ...insert anything from shooting to sitting on the bench.

Most people that are not real familiar with hockey have no idea what is really required. I guess "good" is a relative word

[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.

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.

I agree. If you don't have a very good chance of holding them up then it's best not to risk the possible 2 on 1 going the other way. We have a very small rink here, so forwards don't have too much time to get skating out of the zone so it's a bit easier for the D to hold them up.

As for the Slap shots from the point, when there's a screen try to keep it low, when there's no one in front pump it to the corners of the net. My 2c

[rshark 0]

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.

I agree. If you don't have a very good chance of holding them up then it's best not to risk the possible 2 on 1 going the other way. We have a very small rink here, so forwards don't have too much time to get skating out of the zone so it's a bit easier for the D to hold them up.

As for the Slap shots from the point, when there's a screen try to keep it low, when there's no one in front pump it to the corners of the net. My 2c

Thanks for all the tips. I really appreciate them, as I am making the transition from forward to defense, and any advice helps a lot.

[larrivee 3]

GXC99- I beg to differ- my wrist shot is very accurate from the point. I can pick who I want to shoot for with regards to a deflection. I can go for corners, etc. It's all about technique, I load the stick up hard and put as much spin on the puck as I can. On the other hand my snap shot sucks outside of the slot though.

To me a good point shot is about giving your forwards the most to work with depending on the situation- this is why I use my wrist shot most often- quick release plus the ability to tailor the shot for the situation is great.

One thing we work on is shooting just outside the posts, trying to deflect in. If I'm on the right point I'll aim for just outside of the left post about ribcage high. My forward will set up a little to the left of the net, hopefully unmolested by the D-man. If I miss inside I have a shot at a deflection off the d-man, if I'm on target the forward can try and deflect or bat it in.

[chk hrd 164]

If you are aiming ribcage high I hope your players are real short. IMHO that is way to high to be shooting. If the puck is that high I have ownly one way to deflect it and that is down, also since it is that high I risk the chance of being called for a high stick. And since there is no goal judge the ref's call will stick. I also think a higher puck gives the goalie a better look at where the shot is going.

[larrivee 3]

Let me rephrase, upper thighs to bottom of ribcage. It's a bit easier to sneak it through traffic higher.

We're lucky f the officials around here call offsides, let alone high stick.

[bigsnake76 2]

As your skills progress, you will be able to decide in .01 seconds wether you should snap one on goal or slap one. If you have a huge opening with no one in front of the net, T it up for a slapper.

I would also suggest using a big heel curve like a bauer P91A and a 110 stiff flex shaft for a hard shot......but that depends on skill level, size, strength etc.

[dumbpolak9 1]

i use a 100 flex stick and did just fine. its really a read and react situation. if your other partner is open give it to him. guy on you shoot it low, open lane take it in to the top of the circle. or if a guy is closing in on you just take a nice hard low shot and hope for a rebound

[epstud74 24]

The shot the goalie isnt prepared for is usually the best shot. A slapshot gives the goalie plenty of time to get ready and in position.

I find that a low, laser beam wrist shot is more difficult for goalies to contend with than an errant or high slap shot.

[Jarick 5]

The only times I've ever scored from the blue line was quick wrist/snap shots low blocker or glove. I might have snuck one in 5-hole on a deflection. I can't imagine taking a slapper at all except for a one-timer, and I'm pretty bad at them. But just think of the NHL level, most of the time I see defenders scoring are when they make a quick move around a defender at the point and let go a quick shot, otherwise a one-time slap shot. I can't remember seeing many NHL'ers winding up even strength from the point.

[chippa13 1844]

That is because everyone has become so good at shot blocking. The best shot from the point is the low shot that can either be tipped or create a juicy rebound off the goalies pads.

[mack 44]

Be careful going far-side. Make sure you hit something if you do.

[Jarick 5]

Any tips for avoiding shooting into defenders?

I got moved to D a couple weeks ago as I'm one of the better shooters on the team but not one of the better skaters (I should clarify, I can skate well for my level but don't have any endurance or wind whatsoever so I'm not a good forechecker), and we want to generate more offense from the back end. I'm getting some hard, quick shots off that are pretty low, but it seems 2/3 of them just bounce off any defender out front and pop back out to the red line for an odd man rush the other way.

I'm thinking that I should either take a step into open space before shooting (even if I've got a clear shot) or else maybe I'm shooting too much and should look to dump the puck? Usually I'm seeing two defenders charging at me from either side pretty quick since our team doesn't keep the puck down low as much.

[Chadd 916]

Any tips for avoiding shooting into defenders?

I got moved to D a couple weeks ago as I'm one of the better shooters on the team but not one of the better skaters (I should clarify, I can skate well for my level but don't have any endurance or wind whatsoever so I'm not a good forechecker), and we want to generate more offense from the back end. I'm getting some hard, quick shots off that are pretty low, but it seems 2/3 of them just bounce off any defender out front and pop back out to the red line for an odd man rush the other way.

I'm thinking that I should either take a step into open space before shooting (even if I've got a clear shot) or else maybe I'm shooting too much and should look to dump the puck? Usually I'm seeing two defenders charging at me from either side pretty quick since our team doesn't keep the puck down low as much.

Sometimes you're better off throwing the puck into the corner than taking a shot. When shooting from the blue line the most important thing (in my book) is to make sure it isn't blocked high in the zone. If you aren't sure the shot is going to get on net, throw it into the corner or off the end boards. The better you know the angle and rebounds off the boards at the rink the more effective those dumps can be.

If you have two guys coming hard out on you, your team should have an odd man advantage down low.

[Jarick 5]

Sometimes you're better off throwing the puck into the corner than taking a shot. When shooting from the blue line the most important thing (in my book) is to make sure it isn't blocked high in the zone. If you aren't sure the shot is going to get on net, throw it into the corner or off the end boards. The better you know the angle and rebounds off the boards at the rink the more effective those dumps can be.

If you have two guys coming hard out on you, your team should have an odd man advantage down low.

Gotcha Chadd, that makes sense. I'm always too excited to rip a hard shot at the net. I'll try that next game, dumping the puck back around the boards or to my D partner (who I'm sure would appreciate passes going the other way for once).

[chippa13 1844]

You definitely want to go the better safe than sorry route. If you're not sure you can get a shot through then don't take it, put it back down the boards and don't be soft about it. Another option is to look far circle. Teams tend to collapse to the side the puck is on and you could, as long as there is a lane, have a forward all alone around the far dot.

If you're heart is set on shooting then the best option is to move before you take it. Going a couple of feet either way could create a lane to the net around a forward coming out to block your shot. Being stationary makes blocking your shot that much easier.

If you want to go to your partner then you should be absolutely sure that, 1. he's is there and 2. the pass is open. Nothing worse than chasing a breakaway that you created.

[Jarick 5]

Far corner makes sense too. A lot of times I was getting the puck along the boards and they'd be coming from the boards down towards me, so there should be a gap in the far side. I was shooting mostly because they'd be along the boards cutting off the pass, but hopefully I can step across the blue line and shoot if it's open or open up a passing lane down low. I'm trying to get our forwards to play smarter around the net (i.e. one guy on the weak side post if the other two are on the strong side) so he should be open for a pass.

[chk hrd 164]

moving sideways is a good way to open your shooting lane. If you can't move laterally while shooting then there are a few things you can do.

1) Put the puck into the corner. It's always a safe way to keep it in the O Zone

2) Pass it sideways to the other D man, just make sure he's open or it's a give away turning into an ugly breakaway.

3) Shoot for the boards next to the net. A rebound off the boards can lead to scoring chances.

Stay away from the big wind up, slap shots. It gives the forwards to much time to take space away from you. A slow puck to the front of the net is better than nothing.

[fieldofdreams 0]

If you want to go to your partner then you should be absolutely sure that, 1. he's is there and 2. the pass is open. Nothing worse than chasing a breakaway that you created.

There is one thing worse.... having to dig the puck out from behind your goaltender at the end of said breakaway...

[starsfan71 9]

While playing the point always remember that other then your defensive partner the Boards are your best friend.

[Jarick 5]

Yeah I got real lucky and none of those were converted. Had a good game actually, +4 and 3 assists. I'm just leery of chipping it back down the boards when it gets chipped down to me along those same boards and they have a man advantage along them. Hopefully the NHL network starts running classic games so I can watch what the pros do.