Snap shot (ice hockey)
A compromise shot blending wrist shot accuracy with slap shot speed.
A snap shot is a shortened version of a wrist shot in ice hockey. It aims to blend the accuracy and quick release of a wrist shot with the puck speed of a slap shot. To execute it, a player snaps their wrists quickly while the puck stays stationary. Unlike a wrist shot, the stick blade accelerates toward the puck from a short distance behind it, allowing the shaft to flex against the ice and strike the puck with speed—though not as much as a full slap shot. The stick typically stays below knee height, making it legal in most old-timer leagues despite its pace. This shot is most common when a player near the crease receives a pass and chooses not to take a one-timer.
Often seen as a middle ground between the wrist shot and slap shot, the snap shot can be deceptive and mistaken for either. As a result, while many players are famous for wrist shots (like Alexei Kovalev, Joe Sakic, Teemu Selänne, Pavel Bure, and Paul Kariya) or slap shots (such as Zdeno Chára, Al MacInnis, Bobby Hull, Brett Hull, Shea Weber, and Sheldon Souray), few are known specifically for snap shots. Notable players who frequently score with snap shots include Joe Sakic, Teemu Selänne, Steven Stamkos, Alexander Ovechkin, Ilya Kovalchuk, and Phil Kessel.
- Common usage
- Most common shot taken when the crease player receives the pass and decides not to one-time the puck.
- Notable players
- Joe Sakic, Teemu Selänne, Steven Stamkos, Alexander Ovechkin, Ilya Kovalchuk, Phil Kessel
Lore & Background
The snap shot is often considered a compromise between the wrist shot and slap shot, and can sometimes be mistaken for one or the other due to its inherently deceptive nature. The difference between a snap shot and a wrist shot is that the stick blade is accelerated towards the puck from a small distance behind it. This allows the player to flex the shaft on the ice and strike the puck at speed – although not to the degree of a full slap shot. The stick is usually not lifted higher than the knee during the shot, which makes this shot legal in most old-timer hockey leagues despite its rapid pace.
Reader's Guide
While many players are renowned for their wrist shots (e.g. Alexei Kovalev, Joe Sakic, Teemu Selänne, Pavel Bure, Paul Kariya) or slap shots (heavy claps) (e.g. Zdeno Chára, Al MacInnis, Bobby Hull, Brett Hull, Shea Weber, Sheldon Souray), few players are known for exceptional snap shots. Among the players who often score on snap shots are Joe Sakic, Teemu Selänne, Steven Stamkos, Alexander Ovechkin, Ilya Kovalchuk and Phil Kessel. The snap shot's inherently deceptive nature means it can be mistaken for a wrist shot or slap shot, contributing to its effectiveness. It remains a key tool for players who receive a pass near the crease and choose not to one-time the puck.
Did You Know?
- The snap shot combines the accuracy and quick delivery of a wrist shot with the puck speed of a slap shot.
- The stick blade is accelerated from a small distance behind the puck, flexing the shaft on the ice.
- Few players are known for exceptional snap shots compared to those renowned for wrist shots or slap shots.
More in Ice Hockey Terminology, Part 2 1-24
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