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.
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
This week’s video discusses the basics of passing and receiving on the forehand.
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.
In this week’s video, we cover three drills to improve stickhandling, footwork, and range of motion with the puck.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Key points
Knees bent
Push finishes with the toe of the blade (keep heels low to ice)
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.
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)
We’re back with videos this week! To celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday and the ever-fun Black Friday / Cyber Monday shopping events, we will be launching 3 videos between now and next Monday. The first video covers key teaching points for forwards defending the point. Watch the video by clicking below.
Key Points
Attack from the inside out if possible
Attack with your body in the puck lane
Try to force the defenseman away from the middle of the ice
Attack “big” take away extra time / space by leading with your stick
