Tryouts are used to build teams and assess players at all amateur levels. When you want to play organized hockey, you will have to demonstrate your talents and abilities on the ice. When you go to tryouts, you should be prepared to have talent evaluators assess your ability to skate with speed and balance, and your ability to skate backward. You should also be prepared to demonstrate your stickhandling, passing and shooting skills. You may only get one chance in each area, so you should be warmed up and prepared when you arrive at tryouts.
Step 1
Skate aggressively when you go out on the ice. Talent evaluators look at skating as the most important factor when conducting tryouts and determining in which league an amateur player will be placed. You will be asked to skate for speed by starting off at the end line and skating to the near blue line and back. Then you will skate to the center red line and back, the far blue line and back and finally the far end line and back. After being tested for speed, you will be asked to perform a series of skating maneuvers around athletic cones, including backward skating, so your skating ability can be fully evaluated.
Step 2
Pass the puck accurately during your tryouts. In one tryout drill, you will be given three pucks in the corner of the offensive zone. On the coach's whistle, you will have to pass the first puck to the player at the near point inside the blue line, the second puck to the far point at the opposite end of the blue line and then the third puck to a player in the slot 25 feet in front of the goal. You are trying to put the puck on the forehand side of each player's stick so he can quickly shoot or pass. Your passing will be evaluated on accuracy and decisiveness.
Step 3
Take 12 shots from the slot about 25 feet from the goalie. You will be asked to take a wrist shot, slap shot, backhander and snap shot. Execute each of these shots three times. Your ability to fire a slap shot with velocity, a snap shot with power and speed, a wrist shot with accuracy and a backhander with quickness will help evaluators position you at the proper level.
Step 4
Play hard in a scrimmage. While your individual skills will often be the key to putting you at the proper level, many leagues will conduct a brief scrimmage to see how each prospective player performs against competition. Hockey is a contact sport and some players with talent may shy away from the physical play. Other less-talented players may perform best against live competition.
Tips and Warnings
- Be aggressive and skate hard, especially when scrimmaging. Coaches can help you work on your skills, but they want to see that you are motivated and have a desire to play hockey.
- Never hit anybody from behind or in the head. The game is played at high speeds and injuries can occur when players are reckless.
Things You'll Need
- Hockey stick
- Hockey skates
- Hockey gloves
- Hockey helmet
Member Comments