Phoenix said:
BTW, going off-topic, what's the best way to make high shots. I've been trying to find somewhere that explains it but best I know is that you have to somehow rotate your wrists. Is this before, on hitting the puck, or after?! I'm a real novice here and I just can't seem to consistently lift the puck off the ice.
Well, when I started, I had the same problem. And maybe the finger ache think is due to never having to work those muscles every hard. But for me, now after doing this for over 35 years, hell, i'm just waiting for the arthritis to kick in.
Anyways, about you shooting. Generally the follow through with you stick is going to determine the height of the puck. For instance, The Sweep Pass is the basic foundation for all upper body movements that will help you perform everything from passing to shooting.
It starts off by placing the puck six to eight inches behind the near skate. Applying pressure to the shaft with the lower hand for leverage and using the top hand for power or force. What?
Sure, lets look at basic physics....
(Please excuses the crudity of the drawings)
In this drawing, you will see that I have my hockey stick under a box. When I'm on the ice, I place the blade under a players skate.
[IMAGE]http://www.passthepuck.net/forumimages/f9386b30.png[/IMAGE]
You will see that I am trying to lift the box up with my stick and wrist. You can also see, that at this point, the force is all on my wrist and that it is impossible for me to lift the box with the force at my wrist.
Odds are really good that my wrist will not handle the force and it will break. However, if you look at this next picture, you will see that I have placed a "Fulcrum" halfway down the shaft.
[IMAGE]http://www.passthepuck.net/forumimages/f9566b60.png[/IMAGE]
By placing the fulcrum down the shaft, the force is now applied at the fulcrum point. Thus, I can apply pressure to the top of the shaft and the box will move up.
The rule also apply to Passing or Shooting! The speed of the puck is directly proportional to the "Fulcrum Point" leverage (Bottom Hand) and the force or pressure applied with the top hand.
A good example is a row boat. The point at which the oar attaches to the side of the boat is the Fulcrum
So, when you pass or shoot, make sure that the top arms go to full extension. Once there, pull back towards your body and leave the bottom hand still.
Now the reason why I'm go through all this is. Young players have a tendency to push the puck with there bottom hand and keep the top hand still. Those shots are weak and slow.
Now, when you shoot, the follow through with your stick is going to determine the height of the puck. If you follow through high, the puck goes high. If you follow through low, the puck goes low. Now, where ever you point your stick (Blade) in the follow through is where the puck is going to go.
I have more tips on my forum as well. However, I would be more than happy to give you tips here. Hope this helps in some way.
Head coach
www.passthepuck.net