3 Part Wrist Shot Progression

In the video above, Professional Skills Coach Dwayne Blais gives us wrist shot progression for youth hockey players. Coach Blais gives tips on how to properly take a wrist shot while giving coaches a simple but effective 3 step progression that they can walk their players through to learn the fundamentals of a good wrist shot. If players learn proper techniques as a younger player, it will be much easier for them to develop their shot as they get older. 

3 Step Wrist Shot Progression

1. Progression # 1 - stationary shooting: Players can practice the proper techniques of a wrist shot in a stationary position. They can shoot on the net or against the boards if you have a large group.
2. Progression # 2 - shooting while skating: Once players learn the proper techniques while shooting stationary, coaches should teach the kids how to shoot while skating. The key to this progression is to make sure the puck is in your shooting box (not too far in front of you or too far behind you) while you transfer your weight from your back leg to your front leg. 
3. Progression # 3 - shooting after receiving a pass: Coaches can set up stations so players can work on their wrist shot after receiving a pass. Make sure players are giving a proper target before receiving a pass. Coaches can add obstacles that players must skate around before they shoot. 

Wrist Shot Coaching Points

1. Get Hands Out In Front Of Your Body: get your hands out in front of your body. This will allow you receive a pass and also be able to generate power with your shot by pulling your top hand and pushing your bottom hand.
2. Good Body Position: a player shouldn't be leaning too far forward or too far back. A good hockey position before you receive the pass will help players ger ready to take a shot.
3. Good Puck Position: the puck should travel from the player's heel of their blade to the toe of their blade.
4. Get Puck In Shooting Box: The puck should be in a player's shooting box (about a foot off of their skates). They should not have the puck way behind their body or too far out in front of their body.
5. Weight Transfer: Transfer weight from back leg to front leg. 
6. Follow Through: Follow through with your shot to help generate additional accuracy and power.

Variations

• If you have a large group you can have players practice shooting against the boards. Tell them to pick a target to aim at before they shoot.
• As a 4th progression, you can add obstacles or players that the player must skate around before they shoot.