These tutorials represent some of the key basic components to developing your ice hockey skills. We will add more over time but if you develop these core skills you will be able to get involved in the game and enjoy it more. When you practice, do it diligently. Many people I see will skate one round or two at speed using crossovers then they quit and go back to spraying ice on people. Get in the middle if not too crowded and do some blue line or crossover drills! Use your ice time to make yourself better!
Stopping is a key component to a good hockey players skills. You need to be sure that you are competent stopping and starting from either side while skating backward or forward.
While skating backwards is generally a skill needed by defenseman, all players need to master this skill because you never know when a forward will need to switch to defense.!
Good passing is essential for a successful team. Players who want to the the puck from one end to the other are rarely successful. There is no I in the word team, so learn to pass!
Many new players use short strides and don't get their feet back to center properly. Learning a good stride will make you faster, more agile and cause you to use less energy!
Everybody loves to see the slap shot, but wrist shots are the bulk of the scoring shots. You need to learn this shot both from a still and moving position. Accuracy is the key!!
Crossovers are the key to keeping or even gaining speed in maneuvers. Just like stopping you must master crossovers from both sides in order to play to your maximum ability.
Stickhandling is like dribbling in basketball, without good skills you are going nowhere. The biggest mistake that new players make is looking at the puck versus their opponents!
Tight turns are imperative to advance your skills to the next level. Whether maneuvering through opponents or around the goal, this turning tight will set you apart and help you excel.
Mastering the backward crossover takes time. It uses different muscles and must be practiced many times. But once you have it down you will enjoy superior maneuverability!
This shot is the most powerful shot in hockey, but you might be surprised to know that the majority of these shots that wind up in net are redirects or rebounds near the net!
