The term 'HARD SHOT' can be summarized as a powerful strike, usually in the context of sports. The crossword solution for this term is 'SMASH, ' which is an appropriate word to describe a forceful hit. A SMASH is typically used in sports such as tennis and badminton, where the player hits the ball with great force in order to send it back to their opponent. It is also used in other sports such as volleyball and squash.