If you play hockey and are even slightly competitive, you are going to want to be able to shoot the puck harder. Don't worry, everything you need to know will soon be explained and you'll be scoring more goals in no time. Lets take a brief look at technique then we'll look at how you can strengthen your shot!

Technique is a very important factor when it comes to improving your shot in hockey. Let me give you a few quick tips and we will move on.

Wrist Shot: I like to call it "over under over". When taking a wrist shot, cup your blade "over" the puck to start. When you release the puck, your blade is opening "under" then as you follow through, turn your blade back "over" and point to your target. 

Snap Shot: Quite similar to the wrist shot, however a bit more advanced and effective as well. It allows for a much quicker release off your stick, causing the goalie to react quicker to the shot. You follow the same "over under over" pattern, but give your wrists a hard "snap" when you release at the "under" phase. Keep practicing, you'll get it in no time. 

Slap Shot: A powerful shot usually used at a distance. Have the puck slightly ahead of you as you wind up. When you wind up, keep your front arm straight. This prevents slicing the puck and gives you a better release.  Make contact with the ice an inch or two just before the puck and "sweep" your stick making contact with the puck, then point at your target with your blade "over". 

In order to get the harder shot you deserve, you are going to have to put some time into off ice training. There are a few very effective exercises that will greatly improve your shot, make sure you do them correctly! These are proven methods used by many NHL players and are well worth the time and effort. They provide results, your shot will be harder!

A lot of power in your shot comes from your forearm and wrist strength. As well as your chest and core. These muscles need to be focused on through off ice training.

Wrist Rollups: If you don't have a wrist roller, I highly suggest you get one. Put as much weight as you can handle on the rope and extend it down to the ground. Roll the weight back up with emphasize on rolling your wrists. Do 3 sets of 10 reps.

Hammer Curls: Using a set of dumbbells, hammer curls are very similar to bicep curls except your wrists are facing each other. They work well at strengthening your forearms. Do 3 sets of 10-12 reps.

Wrist Curls: Holding a set of dumbbells, with your wrists facing eachother again, curl your wrist inwards towards your forearms. This isolates your forearms and almost exactly simulates the movements being used in a wrist and snap shot. Do 3 sets of 10-12 reps. 

Bench Press: When you really put power into your shot, your chest flexes as well when you snap the puck off your blade. Increases the strength of your chest will help to add more speed to your shot. Do 3 sets of 10-12 reps. 

Having a strong core is very important as well. Your core is what holds everything together and maintains balance. Having a strong core will allow your muscles to generate more power and work better in unison with each other. It will also give you more balance while you are shooting. A stronger core will improve your shot and you'll look better as well...! There are tons of core exercises you can do on a yoga mat or an exercise mat. 

Core exercises: crunches, side crunches, plank, side plank, bicycle crunch, jackknife, v sit, leg fall downs, windshield, russian twist, the list is endless.  Try to choose 5-10 core exercises and do 20 reps of each of them. Push yourself with these and you will see an improvement in your ab strength and the power behind your shot.

Using these proven techniques for off ice hockey training, you will definitely see the results on the ice. Strengthening the major muscle groups used to shoot the puck will translate into increased shot strength. Be sure to do the proper shot strengthening exercises! Keep working hard and commit yourself to it and you will be scoring more goals in no time!

Good luck and train hard!

Coach