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| Sidney Crosby taking a slapshot |
One of the biggest reasons hockey players are inconsistent with their shots is their hockey stick. The sticks that come without grip on the shafts tend to slip in their hands when the stick makes contact with the ice. Here's a great tip to help fix that.
It doesn’t matter how old you are or what your skill level is, there has been a time when you feel the stick moving in your bottom hand as you shoot. A tight grip is often overlooked by instructors but plays a major role in perfecting a more powerful and accurate shot. The slapshot, in particular, not only requires precise technique but a stable grip. If you or your player is having a problem with shooting, especially with the slapshot, check the grip.
As a player takes a shot, resistance is created by the ice and the puck. If the grip on the stick isn’t tight enough, the force generated by the stick hitting the ice will cause the stick blade to open up. Without this control, you lose your accuracy. If you’re using a stick without grip, it’s very difficult to maintain an accurate shot because the stick moves in your hands on impact. There are a couple products on the market that you can buy. Look for A&R wax-on stick wax, Mueller stickum grip enhancer powder spray or, choose a stick with grip on it. If you find a great deal on a stick without grip that you can’t pass up, you can create your own grip at home.
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| Figure 1 |
The next time you cut your hockey stick save the end piece or just ask the people at your local hockey shop for one. The “butt end” piece should be about 6 – 12 inches long (see figure 1). Tape the extra piece like you would tape a regular hockey stick, except tape it “sticky side up”. Make sure you don’t add the grip lines that a lot of players use under the final tape job (see figure 2). Continue to wrap the stick 4 – 5 inches down the extra piece. Now, with your stick in one hand and the end piece in the other, rub your grip with the adhesive handle starting from the bottom up. Make sure you pay special attention to the areas where your bottom hand grips when your shooting and stick handling. After you’ve finished one side, rotate both sticks and repeat the process.
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| Figure 2. |
Of course there are a ton of other techniques to help improve your shot. This technique is very helpful for any player who is trying to add extra flex in the shaft as they take a shot. With flex and correct technique the puck will explode off of your stick. I have seen huge improvements in hundreds of players after the grip has been corrected. Maybe it will help you or your players. Visit bradperryhockey.com for complete video tutorials, articles and more on taking killer slapshots.
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