ShootingFundamentals

Wrist Shot Technique Drill

The wrist shot is the most-used shot in hockey, relying on a smooth weight transfer and a strong wrist snap rather than a big backswing.

Age RangeAges 11+
Duration10 minutes
Group SizeIndividual or small groups
SportHockey

Equipment Needed

  • Pucks
  • Sticks
  • Net or target

Keep pucks in the shooting line

A bulk bag of practice pucks keeps wrist-shot reps flowing without pausing to collect rebounds.

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Setup

  • Players line up with pucks facing a net or wall target.
  • Leave enough space between shooters for a safe backswing and follow-through.
Wrist Shot Technique DrillSwrist shotWeight transfer back to front, snap the wrists through release

Instructions

  1. Start with the puck slightly behind and to the side of the body, weight on the back leg.
  2. Sweep the puck forward along the ice, transferring weight to the front leg as the stick loads and flexes.
  3. Snap the wrists through release, rolling them over for a quick, accurate shot.
  4. Follow through toward the target, finishing with the stick blade pointing at where the shot went.
Coaching Points
  • Weight transfer from back to front leg is what generates real power, not just the arms and wrists alone.
  • The puck should roll from the heel to the toe of the blade through the shot for accuracy and quick release.
  • A full follow-through pointed at the target improves both power and accuracy.
  • Quick release matters as much as power in a real game — don't let the shot become a big, slow wind-up.

Variation

Add a passer feeding pucks for a shot off a moving puck rather than a stationary one, or set specific target zones in the net for an accuracy challenge.