JMS Hockey

I can't remember. Are slap shots allowed at the JMS league games? Seems like I saw them there before and they sure are fun.

I seem to recall they are not allowed, or maybe it's just no slap shots with players in front of you. At least at the lower levels, who knows where that shot is going. As a goalie, I don't mind them at all and I've seen them too in JMS. For me, it's just getting through to the chuckleheads who want to wind up with 5 guys in front of the net. It's pickup hockey...pass or stickhandle to a better opportunity!

Just use some common sense. If there's heavy traffic in front of the net, don't rifle a head hunter into it because no one is wearing pads above the waist. If you have a break away or partial break away I don't think the goalies mind it like Rob says. You've probably got a better chance of scoring or at least a juicy rebound when you shoot low anyways because goalies are usually better up high with their gloves at this stage.

The leagues have the same protocol as the pickup games: yes, they are allowed, but don't do them in traffic and try to keep them down. You can see this on the league rules here: http://jmshockey.com/league/rules

Good question, I was thinking this same thing last night.

yeah.. they're cool. just don't wind it up into traffic. lots of people don't wear shoulder pads, and I don't really care to catch a laser in the boot either. But, if it's just you and the goalie, go ahead and load it up.

I don't wear shoulder pads in open skate games but in JMS league games I've started to wear shoulder pads since taking a shot to the chest, I have a scar to prove it. There are a lot of slap shots and high wrist shots I take in league games and wearing shoulder pads have saved me since then. When competition is a factor teams are less concerned of others safety.

Also even low slap shots can be potentially harmful because they can ricochet off a stick blade and hit somebody in the face. I've seen it happen and luckily the player who was hit was wearing a caged mask. So at the point or in traffic just don't do them, we're not being paid millions by the nhl, the goals don't count toward anything and it's just for fun. I recommend everyone wearing a full mask but that's not so.

Which is why you should be wearing full face protection ;). Personally I've seen guys with hard enough wrist shots that could cause the same problem. I'd rather see slap shots from the point than the slot.