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How to SHoot Better witH effective weigHt tranSfer Whether you are a novice hockey player or an experienced one, learning how to transfer your weight properly is a great way to improve your shot. You can prepare yourself, or your team, to use weight transfer strategies with some simple hockey drills. Using your leg muscles will give you an explosive shot, so you can take the best advantage of your scoring opportunities. tHree-Step tecHnique for a great SHot from in front of tHe net: 1. Bend your knees slightly. Your legs are your strongest muscles and this stance gives you the balance and mobility you want. Line your stick up with the puck to shoot. 2. Load up the muscles in your leg opposite where the puck is. Get your whole body ready to propel the puck at the net. 3. Use the "Nose to Toes" move: o Start with your head above your back leg where the muscles are coiled, ready to push forward. o Your stick should have the puck drawn back like a catapult ready to spring, with your front foot pointed at the net. o As you move the puck forward along the ice, push your whole body toward your target with your leg muscles, sliding the puck forward as you go. Your wrist shot, backhander or slap shot should follow these techniques. The "Nose to Toes" move will give you the best balance and power in your shot. To get used to this movement, be sure to go through some hockey drills in practice with your team. You can also practice it with your road hockey net and your friends. You'll notice if you try this technique without bending your knees, you won't have the power, mobility or balance needed to fire the puck with the snap and power you want. You want to give the net that great twine push. Transferring weight properly makes the puck go faster and makes the goalie's job that much harder. Practicing this weight transfer technique on dry land is a good way to get you used to the motion. The explosiveness of your shot will really improve so be sure you put a net in front of the garage door — things could get expensive if not. When you are ready to move to the ice, be ready for your team to ask you for tips on improving their shot, too. HOCKEYSHOT.COM TIP OF THE MONTH: OCTOBER 2015 ADVERTORIAL For over 200 great training aids to help you work on your toe drags and other skills, visit: www.hockeyshot.com. TAGLINE GOES HERE MINNESOTAHOCKEYJOURNAL.COM // OCTOBER.2015 NEWS + NOTES FROM THE STATE OF HOCKEY 04 PHOTOS: MHJ ARCHIVES & GOALS ASSISTS In the fall of 2000, the Minnesota Wild was officially introduced to the State of Hockey. Professional hockey had finally made its celebrated return back in to the land of 10,000 rinks. That same October, hockey fans and readers rejoiced with the unveiling of the inaugural issue of Minnesota Hockey Journal, the official publication of Minnesota Hockey and the No. 1 source for all things hockey in Minnesota. This October issue marks 15 years of Minnesota Hockey coverage. In that time we've had 65 issues throughout every hockey season. We've grown into four different looks and have always included plenty of diverse stories and approaches. One thing however has always remained the same and that's our passion for hockey and the players, coaches, parents and officials that help keep it alive. Thanks for a great 15 years everyone. We look forward to bringing you new and exciting content for many more seasons to come! "Wow, so many fond memories as I think about those first few issues…I remember interviewing some really amazing players like Darby Hendrickson, Thomas Vanek, Natalie Darwitz and Krissy Wendell, who were just kids back in those days (wow I'm really old). I would have to say my favorite interview was Paul Martin. He was the cover boy on one of the first issues when he was a senior in high school. Not only was he a hockey god, he was a football star, a 4.0 student, and he was just so humble. Incredible to see him all these years later as an NHL superstar, now with San Jose, at 34 years old – and still – just as humble as ever. What a great guy." — ROSS BERNSTEIN, MHJ's first editor, now better known as the best-selling author of nearly 50 sports books. MINNESOTA HOCKEY JOURNAL CELEBRATES 15 YEARS OF HOCKEY favorite mHJ memorieS "Among the many great stories I read in the first few Minnesota Hockey Journals, I'll always remember the story about Mark Manney and his time as an Air Force One pilot. The story did a great job of highlighting a hockey person in Minnesota that did amazing things not just on the ice, but in life as well." — GLEN ANDRESEN, MHJ contributing writer, currently the executive director of Minnesota Hockey