First wrist shots on small nets

Setup

1. Two small nets against the end boards of one end zone, one each side of the main goal, with no goaltender in them.
2. A shooting line for each net, starting near the faceoff dot, with waiting skaters lined up behind the shooter.
3. Cones mark where the carry starts and where the shot is taken, about four to five metres from the net.
4. Full equipment, full face cage and neck guard for everyone. Nobody stands near or behind the nets while shooters are going.

How it runs

1. The front skater carries the puck two strides towards the net and shoots as they glide past the shooting cone.
2. Wrist shot: puck in the middle of the blade beside the back foot, sweep it forward, roll the wrists and point the blade at the net.
3. After the shot, the shooter fetches the puck from the net and passes it back to the next shooter in line.
4. The shooter joins the back of the line. The next shooter goes only once the passer is well clear of the net and the coach says go.
5. Rounds of five or six shots each, with a drink between rounds. Swap lines so everyone shoots from both sides.

Coaching points

• Puck starts beside the back foot, not out in front.
• Sweep and roll: weight goes from back foot to front foot as the wrists roll over.
• Finish low and point at the target; the follow-through steers the puck.
• Eyes pick the target before the shot, then look at the puck.
• Keep the stick below the waist: wrist shots only, no slapshots.

Common mistakes

• Slapping at the puck instead of sweeping it.
• Puck too far in front, so there is nothing to push through.
• Shooting while another skater is still collecting a puck by the net.
• Standing tall and flat-footed with no weight transfer.