Playing hockey requires skating talent and athletic ability, along with skills to control the puck, make and accept passes, and shoot accurately. You also have to play the game with the knowledge that your opponents will try to body check you in an attempt to take possession of the puck. Hockey players must dish out and receive punishment regularly and must thrive on physical play. Players who can absorb a hit, continue and finish a play have a chance to excel at their sport.
Step 1
Practice skating every day. Whether you are a youngster playing peewee hockey or a veteran in senior leagues, you have to work on your skating. You need to develop your speed, power, agility and quickness. Skating drills will help you develop your acceleration, start-and-stop quickness and balance. Start at center ice, skate as fast as you can to the near corner, retrieve the puck and pass to a teammate waiting in the slot. Then skate to the opposite corner, retrieve the puck and pass to that teammate.
Step 2
Develop all your shots. You will need to a slap shot, snap shot, wrist shot and backhander. Fire 20 shots on goal from the slot. Take five slap shots, five snap shots, five wrist shots and five backhanders. Aim for the four corners of the net. Work on quick release and accuracy as you practice.
Step 3
Keep your stick on the ice throughout the game. Many players pick up their sticks as they accelerate up ice. It is vital to get your stick back on the ice within a stride or two to make plays on offense and defense. "Keeping your stick on the ice will help you make plays," said NHL analyst and former player Ed Olczyk. "It's shocking how many players will miss a pass or a deflection attempt because their stick is not on the ice."
Step 4
Drive hard to the net when your teammate is shooting. The best goaltenders can often stop the initial shot they face when they get a clear view. However, when a skater streaks toward the goal and picks up a rebound or can deflect a shot on its way to the net, that will often turn into a prime scoring opportunity. This creates traffic in front of the goal and makes life difficult for opposing goalies.
References
- Ice Hockey Drills: Pivot, Release, Shoot
- Ed Olczyk; NHL Analyst, Former Coach and Player; Chicago
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