Players often spend time searching for the newest stick to help add power and accuracy to their shot. Chasing the newest sticks can lead you down a long road with very little return on investment. While having a stick with the proper flex, proper height and preferred curve is important, there is a greater return...
Players often spend time searching for the newest stick to help add power and accuracy to their shot.
Chasing the newest sticks can lead you down a long road with very little return on investment.
While having a stick with the proper flex, proper height and preferred curve is important, there is a greater return on investment by improving the player’s ability to shoot the puck quickly with power and accuracy. Shooting pucks off-ice is a great way to increase your ability to shoot pucks quickly and increase power of your shot. Often, players will shoot multiple pucks with very little direction or purpose. Use your practice time wisely by making sure your practice is deliberate.
If you are trying to increase the power behind your shot, make sure you’re shooting pucks with at least 90 percent of your power capacity. Your ability to maintain 90 percent effort requires adequate rest periods.
If you aren’t practicing shooting pucks with near maximal intensity, you are not providing enough stimulus for your body to make the appropriate adjustment to shoot the puck faster in the future.
Also, if you’re going to work on a quick release, make sure you are not shooting too many pucks consecutively or consequently fatigue will set in and you won’t be able to repeat a quick release.
Rotational power and core control
Players who have the ability to shoot the puck with power have the ability to call upon strength and control from their lower body and core. It’s important to understand how to incorporate these muscles to effectively increase the power in your shot.
Core muscles need to keep the torso in a calm state, while the larger moving muscles such as your glutes, hamstrings, and adductor muscle allow you to effectively transfer your weight from leg to leg.
Weight transfer from one side of your body in the proper recruitment sequence can deliver a powerful shot. Understanding how to shift your weight at the proper time can be learned from these two drills.
Drill 1: Rotational Medicine Ball Scoop Throw
Start the ball on your back hip with the weight over the back leg; rotate your body toward the wall and shift your weight toward the front hip as you throw the ball.
Drill 2: Split Stance Isometric Hold with 10-Pound Plate Chop
Hold an isometric split stance position while moving a 10-pound plate diagonally across your body. Maintain a static position with the lower body while the upper body chops the 10-pound plate.
