Deception... Have a plan and take what they give you
You may want to watch these videos at 1/4 speed (pause play, click "settings" symbol at bottom right & "playback speed") to appreciate how these NHL stars use their body and stick position (stability, protection and shot/deke options), ankle flex (for pivoting and acceleration/deceleration in wide stance) and hockey IQ (reading the defender and goalie to maximize puck protection and deception).
To assist your players/clients to acquire this skill, optimize practice/training downtime by having them handle pucks head up in wide stance, moving in random patterns by using their inside edges and flexing their ankles (no defender, keep it really simple). Start slow and master technique. Players can further develop this habit in shinny, puck protection drills, etc. It is a transferable skill to apply in games.
Featured Topics
- Get Wide!
- Ankle Flex
- 2on1's (Video available on the original site)
- 10 Seconds! (Video available on the original site)
- FREE PLAY
- HOCKEY TERMS (Disclaimer - for entertainment purposes only)
- HOCKEY SLANG
- STICKHANDLE LIKE A PRO
- SHOOT Like Bedard (played for Pro Hockey in Europe) (Video available on the original site)
- When To Use D to D Passes
- Optimizing Practice Ice Time
- Quick Breakout Drill
- Puck STEALS
- Another Puck Stealing Drill
- Get Your Shots Through Eichel
- Improving Your Hockey IQ (Video available on the original site)
- Puck PROTECTION
- Training with the Tkachuks (Disclaimer - for entertainment purposes only)
- ESCAPE or Evading Check
- How to do the Mohawk