Backhand shot (ice hockey)

From ArticleWorld

The backhand shot is one of ice hockey’s most difficult offensive maneuvers to perfect, but can be invaluable when used at the right time in the right place. At its simplest, the shot is taken using the backside of the player’s stick with the back of the hand facing forward toward the goal. It essentially is asking the player to use his/her weak or off-side hand instead of the one in which he/she has the most strength and ability.

How to

First and foremost: practice. This is not an easy maneuver, but players who master it become more difficult to defend against. With a good backhand, opponents must defend both sides of the shooter, not just his/her dominant hand. The steps of a backhand are:

1. The shooter stands at about a 45 degree angle to the net;
2. He/She moves the bottom hand down lower on the stick;
3. Positioning the puck in the middle of the blade of the stick, the shooter draws it behind his/her back leg. (Keep in mind the puck is on the convex side of the blade so handling it can be touchier);
4. The shooter shifts his/her weight onto the back leg and lowers the leading (front) shoulder;
5. Blade is flat as can be holding the puck;
6. The shooter sweep his/her arms across their body and shifts their weight forward to get fully behind the shot;
7. They square their shoulders at the goal;
8. They quickly snap the wrists as in a typical wrist shot;
9. Follow through; a high follow-through lifts the puck; low follow-through will keep it closer/on the ice.

Once mastered, the backhand shot makes the offensive player more complete and more difficult to defend.