Backhand Troubles

[syinx 139]

Hey guys,

I've been attempting to learn the backhand (the only shot I cannot take) and I'm failing miserably. I'm using a P92 curve which excels amazingly at everything else I do with it, but I absolutely cannot get any left or power with my backhand. I can't even shovel it up at all.

Any help or technique tips would be great.

[stevelknievel 51]

Fwiw I use an e28 and have used a p92 I always try and make sure it's as close to the heel as possible if its too close to the toe I feel it flutters alot.

[Zjack38 46]

For my backhand to work, I have to bend my knees and dip my shoulder down, I really focus on driving through with my legs

[hockeyblood 11]

Try to pull it in from forehand to backhand then quickly snap your wrist, it's all about technique. I came from p88 which are excellent for backhanders, then switched to p28, just took me a few shots to adjust.

[mickz 107]

Position your bottom hand a bit lower, shoot off the middle-heel of the blade and follow through about waist high if you want more lift. I find it's a bit easier if you bring it in slightly on the forehand first before shoveling the puck.

[215BroadStBullies610 435]

Fwiw I use an e28 and have used a p92 I always try and make sure it's as close to the heel as possible if its too close to the toe I feel it flutters alot.

+1. You could also get a straighter blade if you value your backhand shot that much.

[Vet88 674]

Practice is the only answer. Any curve will work on the backhand but depending on the loft is where you will start the puck - with a P92 you need the puck closer to the heel than with a PM9 but if you learn to shoot off the heel then you can use any curve and your backhand will not change that much even if you change curves.

I was once told for fast, in close shots that you want elevate, pretend you are using a shovel and throwing dirt out of a hole.

If you really want to get better quickly (off ice) then a shooting board, pucks, a target to aim for and 30 minutes of practice every day on your backhand would do it. If you have any on ice time then a good drill is to toss a bunch of pucks in the corner, skate behind the goal to the corner, pick a puck up on your backhand, loop out to the middle of the faceoff circle then across the face of the goal and then shoot backhand. Repeat. Don't deke the puck, never let it leave your backhand, use your wrists to turn the blade in or out which controls how the puck sits on your blade. Don't use one hand, always 2 hands on the stick. As you get better drive really hard out of the corner with full crossovers. And most importantly, keep your head up.

[Harkonnen87 10]

I've been using either a W28 or W71 for the last year so backhands were a bit of an issue at first. Biggest thing for me as making sure to keep the knee bend and shoveling motion, also make sure you really roll the blade over the puck when shooting. Maybe its just me but I have a little more success with the elevation when I roll the blade over the puck and then snap it (similar to snap shot) which seems to get a little more velocity and lift on it. Honestly just practicing over and over will get your backhand to where you want it. I will caveat by saying that for me, when practicing the backhand I'm not necessarily worried with roofing the puck every time so long as I could clear the height of the goalie's leg pads from in close I'm ok with it.

[MN old and slow 92]

Practice is the only answer. Well past 5 decades and just now controlling my backhand on da ice and the tennis court.

Use e4 pattern or wd1 both good for da back hand. My prince racket has a head the size of a house, just cannot miss.

[Neal 41]

I think a lot of problems with the backhand come from the idea that there is one backhand. There are just as many ways to shoot on your backhand as there are on your forehand. Practicing as if there is one solution for all shots isn't going to help.

I also think curve impacts backhand more than forehand. If you have a bigger curve like I do, you have to be careful where the puck is on your blade. I use a W28 from Warrior and if the puck isn't at the heel or a bit forward my backhand is awful.

I also find it harder to load the stick with down pressure on my backhand, so I use the speed of the motion to impart power more than I do on my forehand.

[MN old and slow 92]

Agree there is not one way to shoot backhand. Need to practice shooting back hand under many conditions in many ways.

Scorers score off balance from one foot on the ground, laying on the ice, etc.