HockeyShare Blog by Kevin Muller

Defenseman Agility Drill – Video

Kevin — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:32:25 +0000

Simple drills can be extremely effective in developing skills in players if you key on very specific movements and techniques. This week’s video shows a “simple” agility skating drill to develop transition footwork for defensemen. Despite the “simple” pattern, the actual execution of the drill is fairly difficult -- especially while handling a puck. The closer the cones are together, the more compact the transition areas become. The drill forces players to prepare their transitions even though it may not be comfortable to execute.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fHESOVrqRM

One Timers – Video

Kevin — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 16:32:36 +0000

This week’s video covers the basic technique of the one-timer shot. One-timers are excellent for creating fast scoring opportunities and not giving the goaltender a chance to set prior to the shot.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJAmx89gDrQ

Key Teaching Points

Puck should be shot similar to a slap shot, located between the middle of your feet and the back foot
Hands just over shoulder-width apart (this will vary based on the degree of knee bend and “sitting” in to your shot)
Transfer the weight to the back leg
Low stance on the shot motion, transferring your weight to your front foot
Open your hips and front foot toward your target
Be prepared (and practice) adjusting your stance to accomodate for passes slightly off target

Example from the NHL:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=qjezs-zCcyQ

Forehand Passing & Receiving 101 (Video)

Kevin — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 15:40:24 +0000

This week’s video discusses the basics of passing and receiving on the forehand.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=heZmN_jyC24

Passing Key Teaching Points

With beginners, start with feet perpendicular to the target
Puck on the middle of the blade
Bring puck behind the back foot, slightly cupping the puck
Head up, look at your target
Push the puck forward in a straight line, transferring weight from the back leg to the front leg
Open your hips as you transfer the weight
Point your stick directly at the target on your follow through
Follow through low to the ice

Receiving Key Teaching Points

Start with blade flat on the ice and not angled
Blade should be parallel to the passing stick for optimal control
Blade should start about 6″ inside your front foot if feet are perpendicular to passer
Catch the puck in the middle of your stick blade
Absorb the impact of the puck by having a slight give (only a few inches) to the stick
Avoid un-necessary stickhandles before moving the puck again

Here is a link to the PassMaster used in this video. Note that I do NOT make any money if you buy this, I’m providing the link because I like the product and find it useful.

3 Stickhandling Warmup Drills (Video)

Kevin — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 14:52:15 +0000

In this week’s video, we cover three drills to improve stickhandling, footwork, and range of motion with the puck.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=cKKMnOVeW24

These drills can be incorporated into warmups or laps. These drills will force players to be light on their feet and become comfortable transitioning their weight while moving the puck, which is key when executing moves in game situations.

Posting 2 on 1 Timing Drill

Kevin — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 20:53:20 +0000

This intermediate drill focuses on quick passing, defensive regroup puck movement and timing. This drill requires relatively advanced passing abilities and good timing abilities to execute effectively. I would also recommend having at least 9 forwards and 6 defensemen to run this drill.

View Drill Page to Use in Practice Plans

Cross Behinds – Power Skating (Video)

Kevin — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 20:14:09 +0000

I hope everyone out there had a safe and happy holiday season! We’re back from our short break (and lots of hockey travel) with some new content for 2012.

In this video, we will cover a power skating maneuver/drill to improve backward outside edges. This drill forces players out of their comfort zone with cross-overs by doing a very unnatural cross behind.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=06kNm7jgFd0

Key Teaching Points

Knee bend
Controlled upper body
Weight on the balls of the feet
Push your toe down in to the ice as you push off
Listen for a push every step

Shooting from a D to D Pass

Kevin — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 16:53:27 +0000

This week’s video covers the technique behind quickly shooting at the point off of a “d to d” pass.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=3JSuT8DCMtg

Teaching Points:

Quick release is key
Make sure the shot gets through (look, find the lane)
Eliminate un-necessary stickhandles
Quickly open your body to the net, moving around the puck
Puck should be under your body when you shoot

Common mistake: Having puck too far ahead of body, causing high or weak shots

Here’s an example from the NHL:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=K5k1fkKsLfk

Quick Shooting Release – Video

Kevin — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 23:04:56 +0000

This week’s video covers the technique and practice tips for releasing a shot off of one quick cross-body lateral move.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=uNwhBaVcKN8

Teaching points:

Eliminate additional stick handles
Transfer your weight to shooting side
Knee bend to generate more power

Want to see this move in action? Check out the 2nd goal by Datsyuk in the video below:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=z2j7ipa7hJM

…And Henrik Zetterberg’s goal against Anaheim:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjgIIWz7tPY

Quick Crossovers – Video

Kevin — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 16:41:49 +0000

To celebrate Cyber Monday, we’ve got another new video for you. This time we return to the topic of power skating to show you the quick crossover power skating maneuver. The drill works primarily on the outside edge push of a crossover as well as quick feet.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJqZBzwNqVA

Key points

Knees bent
Push finishes with the toe of the blade (keep heels low to ice)
Keep the upper body in control
Listen for consistent pushing sounds in the ice

Strong Side Breakout Options – Video

Kevin — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 07:00:24 +0000

To celebrate Black Friday, we wanted to give you some good content to digest (along with all the turkey) as well as provide you with some great holiday shopping deals (see below the video). In this video, we cover breakout options for the strong-side wing.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=_nimsPFq0IQ

Main Options:

Post-Up
Low Pivot
Corner Loop

Key Points:

Re-accelerate when receiving the pass
Learn to catch the pass on both forehand and backhand side
Survey your pressure & options before receiving the pass
Use the corner loop only when you have lots of time (typically on a power play breakout)