Taking effective snap/slap shots and receiving passes

[jumtao 0]

1. Ideally, where on the blade should you make contact with the puck when taking either a snap shot or slap shot for it to have the most power? Also, should the blade be closed, square or open for the shot to be most effective in terms of projecting power?

2. When receiving a pass, where do you aim for the puck to land on your blade so you can have the most control possible?

[Chadd 916]

With a slap shot, the longer it is on your blade, the more power you will generate. For snap shots, it would depend on your motion. If you go heel to toe with your shots, the puck should be near the back. If you pick and fling, then it should be in the middle or close to the toe. Your curve should also reflect on your shooting style.

Always try to catch a pass in the middle of your blade. It gives you the most margin for error if the puck hits something on the ice or has extra spin on it.

[jumtao 0]

I'm currently using a a heel curve with an open face (Dury pattern). I find that it's great for wrist shots as I can get a lot of power and control out of it, but my slap shots are suffering. I don't normally take slappers but would like to improve on them.

[Chadd 916]

I'm currently using a a heel curve with an open face (Dury pattern). I find that it's great for wrist shots as I can get a lot of power and control out of it, but my slap shots are suffering. I don't normally take slappers but would like to improve on them.

use the same motion as the wrist shot with a little bit of a windup. Slowly add more power and a longer windup until you get to the point where you are taking full slappers.

[jumtao 0]

Thanks for the tips Chadd, I'll give that a shot during warm ups in my next game.

[number21 3]

Good advice Chadd, that's stuff I need to work on more too. As well as rolling my wrists and getting better follow through to get some better control. I would really love a place to practice on dry land, it just doesn't work anywhere in my apartment or the tiny backyard and/or alley.

[freestyla 0]

I had a question for receiving passes. I was taught in my class to pull your stick back as the puck arrives to cushion it and that way it allows you to have it ready to pass off quickly. This is fairly easy when standing still but I find it difficult especially when receiving pucks while skating (since some/most of my focus is on where my opponents are and where the open spaces are and such). Also it appears, at least to me, that NHL players sort of just let the puck hit their stick but then lift the stick off the ice before bringing their stick back down to control the puck. I guess it sort of just slows the puck but doesn't stop it? Unless I'm seeing it wrong which is quite likely.

Also, when receiving passes at what point do you lift your head up, before the puck hits your stick, as it hits the blade, or? I always hear keep your head up so I've had a tendency to lift my head pretty soon and sometimes the puck misses my blade :(

[Chadd 916]

Lighten up your grip when you catch the puck. Unless you have pressure on you when you catch the puck a looser grip will help the puck sit on your blade better.

[freestyla 0]

Lighten up your grip when you catch the puck. Unless you have pressure on you when you catch the puck a looser grip will help the puck sit on your blade better.

Thanks Chadd, I've actually held too lightly and the puck basically just went through my blade lol :(

[Chadd 916]

Lighten up your grip when you catch the puck. Unless you have pressure on you when you catch the puck a looser grip will help the puck sit on your blade better.

Thanks Chadd, I've actually held too lightly and the puck basically just went through my blade lol :(

Well, that's a pretty obvious fix to the problem. Just allowing the stick to move as you catch the puck is enough, you don't have to pull the blade away from the puck as it comes in.

[dolomaster83 0]

It is all preference where you want to catch your passes. I usually try to catch them closer to the heel. If i happen to tip the puck towards my feet I am able to Correct it. But I have been trained on how to use my feet and stay in stride or stay at full speed.

[titand19 0]

When catching really hard passes, i just deaden the blow with my stick and let the puck bounce in the direction I'm moving.

[dolomaster83 0]

When catching really hard passes, i just deaden the blow with my stick and let the puck bounce in the direction I'm moving.

That could work except, What if you have to catch a pass and pull it before the defender get it?

[Chadd 916]

One other thing to try is to "trap" the puck, it's something I do frequently. Before the pass gets to you close the face slightly so it faces the ice. As long as the puck isn't bouncing or airborne, it should work well for any pucks that allow you to square up the blade.

[titand19 0]

When catching really hard passes, i just deaden the blow with my stick and let the puck bounce in the direction I'm moving.

That could work except, What if you have to catch a pass and pull it before the defender get it?

With softer passes I do receive passes the normal way by cradling them, but I find I'm not getting rifle passes when defenders are that close.

[IniNew 53]

When catching really hard passes, i just deaden the blow with my stick and let the puck bounce in the direction I'm moving.

That could work except, What if you have to catch a pass and pull it before the defender get it?

With softer passes I do receive passes the normal way by cradling them, but I find I'm not getting rifle passes when defenders are that close.

I do this as well. It's a nice way to make a slight change in direction while receiving the pass.

[Orange&Black 1]

It is all preference where you want to catch your passes. I usually try to catch them closer to the heel. If i happen to tip the puck towards my feet I am able to Correct it. But I have been trained on how to use my feet and stay in stride or stay at full speed.

This is how I was taught to receive passes, since it is the strongest/most solid part of the blade.

[ju87 0]

here is a good video on catching passes and shooting including shooting in stride with Matt Ellis

[Chadd 916]

here is a good video on catching passes and shooting including shooting in stride with Matt Ellis

I really like the net area drills and the two touch drill for working on a quicker release. Not a fan of some of the other drills or how high his foot comes up on some of his shots, that's dangerous.

[jumtao 0]

great video ju87

thanks for the post

[BlackIce 1]

here is a good video on catching passes and shooting including shooting in stride with Matt Ellis

Dude, nice find! Watched it a few times great video. :D

[EndBoards 0]

I'm a pretty low level guy in a mixed skill league, so I always had trouble receiving the few passes that came my way. I made a big effort to work on receiving over the summer and it helped alot. I don't think I bobbled or missed a single pass all session.

Think "soft"... "cradle"... "absorb the puck"..

If you're receiving a puck on your backhand side, allow the puck to cross most of your body before catching it. (e.g. I'm a right shot, and I found that catching just inside my left foot was much easier than catching it on the right side of my body...) There's something about the angle of your arms, wrists, and/or blade that just settles the puck down nicely.