Slap Shot- Ice Striking

[gxc999 7]

Just wondering how far in advance (e.g. how many inches) do you guys strike the ice before the puck on a normal slapper? My personal pref is only about 1-1.5 inches, since I seem to be more accurate and really don't lose much power. I'm also betting it puts less wear on your stick. Does anyone really feel that they gain much by making contacting 4-5 inches back instead of 1-2?

[fatwabbit 93]

Everyone shoots differently, and its what works for them. For my slappers (only take two during warmups), I never change my bottom hand position compared to a snapper or wrister. I strike 4-5 inchs behind the puck, which is the same for snappers.

[ktang 34]

I think you should figure out where you can hit the ice to flex the shaft the most, then using the same motion, position the puck so that it flies optimally. Some players actually hit the top of the puck before hitting the ice with these new-fangled composite sticks (especially the ones with these new-fangled low kick points).

[chk hrd 164]

Just wondering how far in advance (e.g. how many inches) do you guys strike the ice before the puck on a normal slapper? My personal pref is only about 1-1.5 inches, since I seem to be more accurate and really don't lose much power. I'm also betting it puts less wear on your stick. Does anyone really feel that they gain much by making contacting 4-5 inches back instead of 1-2?

The idea about hitting behind the puck is to load the stick up so you get the energy in return. Unless you are swinging at a very steep angle hitting an 1" or 1.5" really doesn't give the stick a chance to load. As far as wear and tear on a stick, that's what they are designed for.

[Chadd 916]

Unless you are swinging at a very steep angle hitting an 1" or 1.5" really doesn't give the stick a chance to load.

Sure it does, unless you're using an extremely stiff stick. My stick loads on wrist shots, I don't need to hit the ice more than an inch or two behind the puck to load it on slappers. I prefer the puck back in my stance as well, so the puck is actually on the blade while it is loading.

[gxc999 7]

Sure it does, unless you're using an extremely stiff stick. My stick loads on wrist shots, I don't need to hit the ice more than an inch or two behind the puck to load it on slappers. I prefer the puck back in my stance as well, so the puck is actually on the blade while it is loading.

I find that dead in the middle of my stance feels good to me. And yeah, I don't know how anyone could say 1-2" would not allow loading, because people have told me they can see it happening even from such a short distance.

[chippa13 1844]

The stick isn't done loading when it gets to the puck.

[Chadd 916]

The stick isn't done loading when it gets to the puck.

For the guys that hit 6-12 inches behind the puck, it is.

[gxc999 7]

The stick isn't done loading when it gets to the puck.

Good point!

[DLK 0]

I don't take a lot of slapshots (and I'm far from great at doing so), but I find about four inches behind the puck to give me the best combination of power and accuracy.

I have no doubt that stick flex, height and technique all play a role in determining the "sweet-spot" for any given player's slapshot, but my stick certainly isn't fully loading when I hit the ice only an inch or two behind the puck. Striking the ice six inches or more behind the puck does develop more power, but my accuracy falls off drastically (probably more of an indictment of my technique than anything else).

I'm 6'2" and use sticks cut down to about a 90 flex, just in case it helps to have a frame of reference. Spending some time on the ice with a chronograph did wonders for me; the power a shot generates can feel surprisingly deceptive.

[chk hrd 164]

And yeah, I don't know how anyone could say 1-2" would not allow loading, because people have told me they can see it happening even from such a short distance.

Unless your stick is a 50 flex its not loading to close to full capacity on a wrist shot.

[gxc999 7]

Unless your stick is a 50 flex its not loading to close to full capacity on a wrist shot.

Talking about slappers. Plus, you don't strike the ice on a wrister, unless there's something I'm missing...

[splitbtw 2]

I think it depends on the flex, technique and strengh.

1-2" may work for some and any more, you may need to drop down in flex. I feel like it is asking for a broken stick sooner if you go more on a frequent basis.