A snap shot in ice hockey combines the quick release of a wrist shot with much of the power of a slap shot. To take one, keep the puck slightly ahead of you near your front foot, bring the stick back in a short wind-up of about knee height, press the blade into the ice just behind the puck to flex the shaft, then snap your wrists, pushing with the bottom hand and pulling with the top hand, and follow through with the blade pointed at your target. Because the wind-up is so short, the snap shot gives goalies and defenders very little warning, which makes it one of the most effective scoring shots in the modern game.
What makes the snap shot different
Hockey players generally rely on four main shots: the wrist shot, the snap shot, the slap shot and the backhand. The snap shot sits between the wrist shot and the slap shot. A wrist shot starts with the puck on the blade and relies on a sweeping motion, so it is accurate and quick but usually less powerful. A slap shot uses a big wind-up and a hard strike on the ice for maximum power, but it takes time and is easy to read. The snap shot borrows the stick flex of the slap shot and the compact motion of the wrist shot. The player loads the stick with a short, sharp downward press, and the shaft springs forward through the puck. The result is a hard shot released in a fraction of a second, often before the goalie is set.
Snap shot technique by phase
| Phase | Key point |
|---|---|
| Position | Puck slightly ahead, beside or just in front of your front foot |
| Grip | Top hand firm at the end, bottom hand a little lower than for a wrist shot |
| Wind-up | Short backswing, roughly knee height or lower |
| Load | Press the stick into the ice just behind or at the puck to flex the shaft |
| Snap | Snap the wrists, push with the bottom hand and pull with the top hand |
| Weight transfer | Shift weight from back leg to front leg through the shot |
| Follow-through | Short and pointed at the target; lower for low shots, higher to lift the puck |
How to take a snap shot step by step
- Get the puck in position. Move it slightly ahead of your body and toward your front foot, where you can strike it cleanly.
- Set your stance. Knees bent, shoulders square or slightly open to the target, eyes up to pick your spot.
- Take a short wind-up. Lift the blade back to about knee height. Anything higher starts to become a slap shot and slows the release.
- Load the stick. Bring the blade down firmly into the ice just behind the puck, pressing your bottom hand down so the shaft bends.
- Snap through the puck. As the stick flexes, roll and snap your wrists, pushing the bottom hand forward while pulling the top hand back toward your body. This lever action releases the stored energy.
- Transfer your weight. Drive from the back leg to the front leg so your body adds power.
- Follow through at the target. Finish with the blade pointing where you want the puck to go. Keep it short for a quick, low shot.
The role of stick flex
Much of the snap shot’s power comes from the stick bending and straightening. When you press down hard with the bottom hand, the shaft flexes like a spring. As you snap the wrists, the stick recoils and propels the puck. Players who use a flex they can actually bend usually get more out of their snap shot than players with an overly stiff stick. A lower kick point, where the stick bends closer to the blade, is often preferred by players who shoot quick wrist and snap shots, because it can load and release faster. The right choice depends on your strength, height and shooting style, so it can help to test a few flexes before committing.
Shooting in stride and off the pass
The snap shot is especially dangerous when taken while skating. Shooting in stride means releasing the puck without gliding or setting your feet, which catches goalies before they can square up. To do it, time the shot so your weight transfers onto the leg that is pushing forward, and keep your upper body over the puck. A snap shot off a pass is also common: receive the puck, move it into position with one quick touch, and shoot. The goal is to cut the time between receiving and releasing the puck as much as possible, since every extra stickhandle gives the goalie time to set.
When to use a snap shot
Choose the snap shot when you have a moment to shoot but not enough time for a full slap shot wind-up. It works well in the slot, from the top of the faceoff circles, and on the rush when you want to surprise the goalie before a defender closes in. Many players also use it as a one-timer alternative when the pass is slightly off and a full slap shot is not possible. From very close range, a quick wrist shot or a deke may be better, while from long range with plenty of space, a slap shot may generate more power.
| Shot | Release speed | Power | Best situation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wrist shot | Fast | Moderate | Accuracy in tight or on the move |
| Snap shot | Very fast | High | Slot and circles, catching the goalie unset |
| Slap shot | Slow | Highest | Point shots and one-timers with time and space |
| Backhand | Fast | Lower for most players | In close, surprising the goalie |
Aiming your snap shot
Pick your target before you shoot rather than hoping to find a hole. Common targets include the corners of the net, especially the far side low, and the area just over the goalie’s pads or blocker. Looking up briefly before the release helps you read the goalie’s position. Your follow-through controls height: finishing low keeps the puck down, while rolling the wrists up and finishing higher lifts it. Practicing specific targets builds the accuracy that turns a hard shot into a goal.
Practice drills
- Stationary target shooting: Place targets in the corners of the net and take repeated snap shots, focusing on loading the stick and a clean follow-through.
- Quick-release reps: Receive a pass and shoot within one touch to shorten your release.
- Shooting in stride: Skate across the top of the circles and release the puck without gliding.
- Off-ice shooting: Use a shooting pad, a net and pucks or training balls to build hundreds of repetitions at home.
- Weak-side practice: Work on shooting off both feet so you are dangerous in more situations.
Safety note
Snap shots can travel very fast. Shoot only when the area around the net is clear, never aim at people, and wear appropriate protective equipment on the ice. When practicing off the ice, use a proper backstop or netting so pucks do not damage property or hit anyone. Health note: this article is general information, not medical advice.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Wind-up too big, which slows the release and turns the shot into a weak slap shot.
- Not loading the stick, so the shot has little power.
- Puck too far behind you, making it hard to transfer weight or aim.
- Staying on the back foot instead of driving forward through the shot.
- Stickhandling too long before shooting, giving the goalie time to set.
- Looking only at the puck and never picking a target.
- Using a stick that is too stiff to flex.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a snap shot and a wrist shot?
A snap shot uses a short wind-up and presses the stick into the ice to flex it, while a wrist shot starts with the puck on the blade and uses a sweeping motion with no wind-up.
Is a snap shot harder than a wrist shot?
Usually, yes. Because the snap shot uses stick flex, it tends to be more powerful, though many players find the wrist shot more accurate.
How do you get a quicker snap shot release?
Keep the wind-up short, position the puck early, shoot within one touch after receiving a pass, and practice shooting in stride.
