Hitting a hockey puck can be done by passing, stick-handling and shooting. Becoming proficient in these three skills can make you an extremely valuable asset to any team. Former NHL superstar Pavel Bure had incredibly fast hands and an extremely accurate and fast shot. These skills helped him to score 50 or more goals in five seasons in the league. After skating, hitting the puck properly is the most important skill in hockey.
Hitting the Puck
Step 1
While in full hockey gear, take 15 pucks on the ice. Using your stick, handle one puck back and forth using your wrists to cradle the puck on the forehand and backhand of your stick blade. The wrists need to roll back and forth so that one hand has the palm facing up and other has the palm facing down. After you've become more comfortable, move forward and backward while stick-handling. Practice moving your hands back and forth as quickly as possible.
Step 2
Once you're comfortable stick-handling, introduce passing. Have your training partner stand about 15 feet away. Stand parallel to the side boards and put the puck a few feet away from you. Use the same distance that you could comfortably stick-handle. The puck should be beside you. Draw the stick a few inches behind the puck and strike it with your stick. It is critical to follow-through to your target. Your stick blade should be pointed at your partner's stick blade after you've passed the puck to him. If you're a more advanced player, put the puck on the heel of the blade and release the puck the same way. This will allow the puck to spin. The higher you follow-through the more the puck will elevate.
Step 3
Shooting is one of the most difficult skills to master. Stand at the top of one of the two faceoff circles in the offensive zone and aim at the net. The puck is in the same position as it was for the passing drill. Place your hands about 18 inches apart and raise your stick over your head. Bring your stick down at the highest velocity you can muster and strike the puck a few inches behind it. Follow through toward your target. Your weight should transfer from your back leg to your front leg. This is called a slap shot.
Step 4
The baseball swing drill will work on hand-eye coordination. If you are an advanced player, you might be able to pick the puck off the ice with your stick blade. If you cannot, set the puck on your stick blade. Stand in front of the net and use your stick to toss the puck 18 inches into the air. Before it hits the ice, draw your stick back as though you were hitting a baseball and whack the puck out of the air into the net.
Tips and Warnings
- These skills take ample practice to develop. You need to be able to skate effectively before attempting to learn the different ways to hit a hockey puck.
- A slap shot can be dangerous if you can not control it. Ensure that no one, with the exception of a goaltender, is standing in front of the net or within 20 feet of it when you practice.
Things You'll Need
- Hockey stick
- Pucks
- Full hockey gear
- Training partner
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