Hockey players need to bend their knees to get a stronger stride and skate with more speed. Bending the knees also helps hockey players shoot the puck with more power and quickly turn from front to back and back to front. In addition to practicing offensive formations and defensive positioning, you should do drills focusing on knee flexibility to enhance your hockey skills.
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Hockey is a fast-paced team sport that is played on the ice with two teams attempting to score against one another. If you are an offensive player, you don't want to tie up defenders in front of the net because it makes your sh...
Playing competitive hockey is a major commitment for a young athlete. Unlike some more casual team sports, competitive hockey often includes multiple weekly practices and games that occur throughout the entire year. Between the...
The standard hockey rink size is 200 feet long by 85 feet wide. Over the course of every game, centers, wingers and defensemen are likely to skate over the entire ice surface. Hockey is a fast-moving sport, but positioning come...
Peter Worrell retired from professional ice hockey in 2006. During his professional career with the National Hockey League, he played for the Florida Panthers, Beast of New Haven, Colorado Avalanche and Charlotte Checkers. Prio...
Peter Marrin is a Canadian ice hockey player who played professionally throughout the 1970s and early 1980s. Although Marrin never played for the NHL, he spent years as a center for teams in the World Hockey League and the Onta...
Shadowing is an aggressive form of hockey defense. Effective shadowing is a difficult task, especially against today's very skilled puck-handlers and shooters. A shadowing hockey player has to be alert at all times because one ...
Known as “the Golden Jet” for his blond looks and pace on the ice, Robert “Bobby” Hull was a high-profile player for the National Hockey League's Chicago Blackhawks throughout the 1960s, before making a ...
Hockey is a fast-paced sport that rewards skill, teamwork and toughness. Lacrosse is much like hockey minus the skates and slippery surface, making it an ideal crossover sport. Like hockey, lacrosse focuses on passing, shooting...
Although hockey isn't as popular as sports such as baseball and football in America, hockey is Canada's national sport and is quite popular there. As a result, hockey players are regarded as celebrities in Canada, and their acc...
Hockey, a true contact sport, can be fast-paced and exhilarating to watch. However, jarring body checks and on-ice brawls contribute to the game's violent reputation. A blindside hit -- violently contacting a player when he is ...
In any major team sport, fans and analysts use a range of statistics to evaluate how well teams and individual players are performing. Some are very straightforward, such as a team's win-loss record or a given player's offensiv...
Transitioning from skating forward to backward, or backward to forward, is an important skill for hockey players. Hockey is fast-paced, and if you are unable to pivot effectively, you may see the play pass you by. Using a heel-...
Hockey gloves are thickly padded to absorb impact from falls and opponents' sticks. The additional padding helps keep your hands warm when you play hockey outside in cold weather, but it may not be enough insulation if the temp...
While it may seem chaotic at times due to its breakneck pace and sudden transitions, hockey involves extensive coaching and meticulous planning. Hockey coaches devise detailed strategies to account for all possible scenarios, p...
Hockey's roots are in Canada, where it is at least as important as baseball or football are in the United States. True to its origins, the game has a developed language that those who are not intimately familiar with the game m...
All players in hockey learn to skate, stickhandle, shoot and pass. Although these are basic skills of the game, there are playmakers who excel at passing the puck to teammates and setting them up for excellent scoring opportuni...
Hockey is a demanding, physical sport in which players skate at high speeds and players are allowed to make contact with the player who has control of the puck or has just passed the puck. However, hockey rules prevent illegal ...
Unlike sports such as football and basketball, hockey doesn't classify penalties into offensive and defensive. Penalties are assessed equally against offensive and defensive players, as well as teams, to ensure sportsmanlike co...
Hockey players start young, with many kids taking to the ice almost as soon as they can walk. Organized hockey leagues group players according to age to ensure competitive balance and keep the game as safe as possible for all p...
Playing college hockey can be a dream come true for young hockey players. When you play high school hockey at a high level, you have a chance to earn a scholarship to play at the next level. College hockey coaches and pro scout...
Hockey players are sitting on the bench as their teammates are on the ice. The players on the bench are poised and ready to jump in on the action. Suddenly, the coach blurts out the name of the center. That player and his two w...
Hockey is a game filled with strategies, and hockey teams tend to employ strategies that work well with the makeup of the team. Teams with more offensive talent will use more offensive strategies, and defensive teams will use m...
When you play ball hockey in a gym or an outdoor roller hockey rink, you will have the opportunity to defeat the opposing goalie with a series of moves when you go in on a breakaway. When you take the puck in alone, it is as mu...
Hockey players might find themselves at risk of committing penalties when they are more concerned with offense and scoring goals than with their defensive responsibilities. Because they are looking to create plays, they might b...
When youngsters take up ice hockey, they are likely to play recreationally with friends, neighbors and siblings, but once a decision is made to play on an organized basis, there are several levels that offer young people the op...
Hockey is one of the most exciting and fast-paced sports. Players use their skating speed, creativity and skill to create scoring opportunities while opposing defensive players and goaltenders try to keep the puck out of the ne...
The "wheelhouse" is a term used to describe an excellent shooting opportunity for a hockey player. Typically, a player will get a pass from a teammate as he is setting up in the offensive zone. When he can put all his...
Your hockey skates do more than just allow you to glide across the ice. The high stops and stiff sides of the skate provide foot and ankle support for pivoting and lateral movements necessary when skating aggressively and compe...
Like the number of errors in baseball or fumbles in football, PIM is a negative statistic in hockey. It stands for the number of penalties in minutes accrued by a team or an individual player throughout the course of a game, se...
International hockey is one of the most popular sports in the world. It starts at the youth level, where players learn the basics of the game, and progresses as players get bigger, stronger and older. Junior and college hockey ...
Playing right wing or left wing in hockey means you are going to get heavily involved in your team's offensive play. You will have defensive responsibilities, but coaches are looking for players who have an aggressive drive to ...
Hockey players are often judged by their statistical accomplishments on the ice. Traditional statistics such as goals scored and assists have their place and provide a solid measurement of a player's offensive productivity. But...
The speed of hockey can be breathtaking. When you watch a game on TV, you will be impressed with the skating ability, shooting, stick handling and overall skill level of the top level players in the NHL. However, when you atten...
Hockey teams rely heavily on their ability to get the puck out of their own zones through a breakout. Without an effective breakout, a team ends up pinned in its own zone for long periods, making it very difficult to create any...
Hockey seems as though its played at top speed when played by top-level college players or professionals. All of those players start off playing as children, some as young as 3 or 4 years old. When young people start playing th...
Ice hockey is known for its rugged physicality. It can get downright brutal at times, and the intense play often leads to numerous infractions. Referees must be firm when they're calling penalties or the games will spiral out o...
In hockey, the term forechecking refers to actively trying to retrieve a loose puck from the opponent's defensive zone. Forechecking helps regain puck possession, creates scoring chances and even wears down the opposition, forc...
Hockey is a tough and physical game that requires participants to be expert skaters. When you watch an NHL game on TV or live at the arena, the speed of the game and the players' athletic talents are obvious. It all starts with...
Five lines are painted on the ice for a hockey game. Each line signifies a division of the ice and where players can go and when they can get there. The red lines -- one at center ice and two end zones -- are vital when it come...
Hockey is an aggressive, fast-paced game requiring talent, athleticism and toughness. Games may feature grace and skill or fearsome brutality, as players compete to shoot the puck into the other team's goal. And despite its bre...
When a team has a power play in hockey, it has a personnel advantage over its opponent. Instead of playing with five skaters and a goalie, the team that receives a penalty is skating with four skaters and a goalie. That leaves ...
A heavy shot in hockey is one that travels at a high rate of speed and is hard to control once a goalie stops it. There is a difference between a fast shot and a heavy shot. A player who fires a hard slap shot crisply on net ma...
A hat trick in hockey occurs when a player scores three goals in one game. It is quite difficult to do and players often are saluted by the fans in attendance when the third goal is scored. At that point, fans who are wearing h...
Hockey referees call penalties throughout a game. When a minor penalty is called, a player is sent off the ice for two minutes. While the player sits in an area of the rink called the penalty box, his team plays short-handed. T...
Hockey places significant demands because it requires you to be in top condition to compete. Players must expend significant amounts of energy to skate hard while they are on the ice. Players are normally on the ice for a shift...
Hockey is an intense, physically demanding sport that requires both physical and mental toughness to excel. You must train your body to possess the necessary skills and the physical pounding, and you must prepare mentally or al...
The ability to move with the puck and get around the defenseman is what often separates good offensive hockey players from average ones. While qualities like speed, strength and quickness can help you drive by the defenseman, t...
Hockey players are known for their physical toughness, willingness to battle through injuries, skating ability and talent with the puck. Players who can take the hits and keep on going forward need strong and resilient bodies. ...
Blisters form on areas of skin subjected to repeated friction or pressure. For hockey players, blisters on the feet from ice skates are a common affliction. To a lesser extent, hockey players develop blisters on their hands, to...
Hockey is considered one of the four major North American sports. Although hockey trails football, baseball and basketball in terms of popularity, hockey has provided some of sport's most exciting and meaningful moments that ha...
Floor hockey is a popular version of the game that is played on skates by ice hockey players. It can be played in a driveway on a casual basis among friends or in organized leagues primarily for young people in gyms or small ar...
Hockey players quickly learn that where their hands are placed on the stick is vital to their success on the ice. Hand placement will vary from player to player and also from task to task. Your hands might be fairly close toget...
Hockey is a fast-moving sport that works your cardiovascular system and your muscles, and it requires a lot of energy to play. If you are not properly hydrated, rested and nourished, you could feel lightheaded when you are play...
A good hockey stick should give the player wielding it one major advantage: control. To that end, it should transfer the power and momentum of a shot or pass effectively to the puck. There should be minimal loss of power from t...
Hockey -- a game of speed, hard-hitting, accurate shooting and clever stick handling -- also uses mathematics in nearly every play. Players may not think about mathematical equations when they make a cross-ice pass, but they do...
Hockey is a sport which requires high levels of strength, coordination, mobility and conditioning. During a hockey match, you will find that you rarely move at a steady pace -- it is far more likely that you have short, intense...
Even the most skilled hockey players in the world would not have much success without the proper conditioning. Good conditioning allows players to perform at a high level throughout the game. While much of this conditioning tak...
The NHL and International Ice Hockey Federation define slashing as the act of swinging a hockey stick toward an opponent, regardless of whether contact is made. Referees are cautioned to consider intent before assessing a slash...
Kevin Kaminski is a former National Hockey Association player who retired in 1999. Born in Churchbridge, Saskatchewan in Canada in 1969, Kaminski played at center and was nicknamed "Killer Kaminski" for his uncompromising enfor...
Patrick Rissmiller is a professional hockey player playing for the Florida Panthers as of 2011. His primary position is of winger, that is, as a left or right side offensive player. He was born on October 26, 1968 in Belmont, M...
The spectacle of hundreds of hats raining from the heavens during a hockey game makes for one of the most unusual sights in sports. The ritual celebrates one player scoring three goals in a single contest, a feat known as a hat...
The forwards on a hockey team are the players responsible for the majority of the team's offense. Each team has three forwards on the ice at any given time, and their job is to create scoring chances, force turnovers and score ...
Before playing in your first game, learn the basics of inline hockey goaltending. These basics help you to make saves, control rebounds and follow the puck throughout the play. Make yourself aware of the differences between ice...
Reversing the puck in hockey is a maneuver designed to control the puck in the offensive zone. When a team tries to control the puck in the attack zone, it may begin a two- or three-man maneuver called the cycle. This allows th...
Preparing to play competitive ice hockey is one of the most demanding activities for any athlete. Hockey requires players to be expert skaters and have the strength and toughness to absorb hits and dish them out on a constant b...
Hockey players need extensive protection due to dangers inherent to the sport. Speeding pucks, flailing sticks, sharp skates and hard ice all present hazards, so players must choose equipment that provides adequate protection w...
Since the 1970s, hockey players have used dryland training to improve conditioning and skills for ice hockey. While skating is a huge part of the game and never can be ignored, players can develop leg strength and core strength...
Hockey is a fast-paced, hard-hitting sport enjoyed by individuals of all ages and in all parts of the world. Understanding hockey scoring can make game more enjoyable and make you a more knowledgeable hockey fan. With so many ...
Vladimir Hartinger is a Czech Republic-born ice hockey player who spent much of his career in the United States with the professional Central Hockey League. Born on July 16, 1979, in Sternberk, the 5-foot-10, 205-lb. defenseman...
Hockey is a game that tests your athleticism, cardiovascular endurance and muscular strength, all during the same game. Hockey players must be in top form in order to compete, which means training on and off the ice. If you're ...
All college and minor level hockey players are required to wear a visor as part of their facemask. This is for safety reasons, as masks with visors significantly reduce the risk of eye and facial injury, according to Washington...
Hockey, the fastest game on two legs, is a physically and mentally taxing sport. Excelling at the professional level requires a combination of both on-ice and off-ice qualities. On the ice, a professional hockey player is expec...
The half wall in hockey is a term that describes where a play-making forward stands in the offensive zone. The half-wall is about midway between the blue line and the goal line and it is close to the boards. A player who positi...
Playing defense in hockey requires all-around talent. A defenseman's first responsibility is to stop the opposition from getting scoring opportunities. A defenseman also has to carry the puck out of the defensive zone and then ...
Hockey is a fast-paced, contact sport, and injuries may occur. However, purchasing equipment that fits correctly and is free of any defects will also help keep you safe. A few pieces of hockey equipment are not necessarily for ...
Professional hockey players shoot pucks at over 100 mph, but it takes some knowledge of the physics of the puck sliding on the ice and the torque of the stick to do so. Hockey players combine wrist shots and slap shots in each ...
In ice hockey, players 10 and younger qualify for squirt divisions. Teaching hockey to children that age requires not only patience, but also creativity. Coaches need practice drills that convey the sport's team concepts and fu...
No matter how much skill your hockey team possesses, you will not win many games if you cannot get the puck out of your own zone. Clearing your zone effectively allows you to transition from defense to offense, which prevents g...
The fast-paced action of floor hockey makes it appealing to many people, as it provides good exercise and builds camaraderie with other players. You should know, however, that the sport features many differences from the versio...
Hockey can be a dangerous sport when you don't have the proper gear. Because the sport involves plenty of contact between players, the boards and the puck, you need to suit up properly to protect your body. The amount of paddin...
Deck hockey, also known as dek hockey, provides all the action and thrills of real hockey without the ice, skates or puck. Deck hockey players compete on rinks covered with plastic flooring, running in normal athletic shoes and...
Not all hockey training takes place on the ice. Players need dedicated off-ice routines to keep their bodies in peak physical condition, with most workouts including some form of weightlifting to strengthen muscles and cardio t...
In ice hockey, stickhandling, or the ability to manipulate the puck with the stick, often separates elite scorers from average players. While necessary when weaving through defenders and tricking goalies for spectacular goals, ...
Parents sometimes mistakenly assume their children automatically will have the same interests as themselves. Even if you loved hockey as a kid, your own child may lack the motivation to excel in such a skilled and all-encompass...
In field hockey, a sport played by men and women around the world, the field is often referred to as the pitch, just as it is in soccer, or football as it's known everywhere but the United States. The size of the pitch and othe...
The four basic hockey shots are a wrist shot, snap shot, slap shot and backhand shot. Some of those shots are more powerful, some are more accurate and some release quicker. And each shot has a different form. But the key to ma...
Having a strong stride is essential in hockey. This is what gives you an advantage over your opponent. Because, no matter how good your stick handling or shooting is, it is worthless if you can't get to the puck first. Having a...
Due to the their sport's need for constant skating, hockey players tend to have powerful lower-bodies, driving and churning their legs into the ice with each stride. Yet even hockey players aren't immune to knee ailments. The d...
While similar to ice hockey in terms of rules and game play, roller hockey requires its own specific techniques and tactics, mostly due to the differences between ice skating and rollerblading. Roller hockey players need smarts...
Becoming a professional hockey player in North America means making a huge commitment to your sport and excelling at every level. Hockey is played at a high level throughout the world, and most of the best players want to play ...
Getting by a defenseman with the puck one-on-one in hockey is a difficult task much of the time. Forwards are often knocked to the ice as they try to deke out the defense, or have the puck poked away. Head fakes and fancy stick...
Evaluating a player in hockey can seem rather simple when you are sitting in the stands at a game. When a player roars down the ice and scores the go-ahead goal late in the third period by blasting the puck past the goalie, you...
Hockey progression drills become useful when a team runs a breakout from the defensive zone, as the progression teaches the puck carrier how to determine a passing target. Just like a football quarterback runs through his progr...
Hockey goaltenders face more pressure than just about any position in sports. The slightest mistake can mean the difference between victory and defeat. When instructing goaltenders, coaches must always remember the position is ...
Hockey is a game where injury can happen at any moment. Players easily collide with opponents or teammates, or get hit by fast-moving pucks. Keep yourself protected at all times with the right equipment so you can stay in the g...
In recent years, American collegiate hockey has emerged as a legitimate rival to the Canadian junior hockey system in terms of producing NHL talent. The National Collegiate Athletic Association, the governing body for collegiat...
Far and away the most popular sport in the United States, football has become part of American culture, with Sunday games turned into communal rituals and the Super Bowl emerging as pracically national holiday. Meanwhile, hocke...
A player breaks into the open with the puck and starts streaking toward the opposing goalie. As soon as he crosses the blue line and prepares to pass the puck to an open teammate, the referee blows his whistle and the play come...
Craig Shepherd is a true student of his sport. Born in 1966 in Colorado Springs, Shepherd was a star as a high school and college player. Shepherd found the professional ranks much tougher. He moved around the minor leagues for...
Every NHL superstar had to start somewhere, and those beginnings usually trace back to early-morning skates spent working on hockey's fundamental skills of skating, passing and shooting. By stressing the basics, novice hockey p...
Trash talking is common in all sports, but doesn't necessarily have to be viewed as negative. Many athletes use jibes as a way to disorient an opponent, and nothing more. While the language might be seen by outsiders as malicio...
Hockey is an extremely competitive sport, with a wealth of talented players earning competitive opportunities at the high school, collegiate and professional levels. One of the toughest spots for a competitive hockey player is ...
During a hockey game, offensive and defensive strategies are constantly in play to deal with the opposition's strengths and exploit their weaknesses. The dump and chase is an offensive strategy that is practiced more in the Nor...
Speed is an essential component of hockey. Quick feet, quick hands and quick decisions are part of virtually every shift of every game. Some players are naturally quicker than others, but every player's quickness can be improv...
A hockey defenseman has many jobs to perform as part of a hockey team. The primary duty of a defenseman is to keep the puck out of his own zone and prevent scoring chances from the offense, but that isn't the whole story. Defen...
No one will ever confuse hockey and soccer. While both games flow continuously much of the time and involve advancing a ball or puck past a goalkeeper to score a goal, after that most of the similarities end. The rules of each ...
The curve of your hockey stick is a deeply personal facet of the game. While some players prefer a deeper curve to allow for better control and spin on the puck, other players prefer a more shallow curve to allow for better bac...
Ice hockey goaltenders face more pressure than just about any position in sports. One mistake could mean the difference between victory and defeat. Goaltenders must be in peak physical condition, mentally focused and technicall...
Hockey is one of the most physically demanding sports. To compete, players must combine skill, speed, explosiveness and endurance. For those who play full-contact hockey, the challenge can be even more daunting, as the potentia...
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...
Bobby Ryan is an offensive winger for the Mighty Ducks professional hockey team in Anaheim, California. He played for the United States in the 2010 Olympics, winning a silver medal. Bobby Ryan is a powerful player who -- accord...
Fighting is an aspect of a hockey that is tolerated, to a degree, by those who run the game. The National Hockey League penalizes those who fight with five minutes in the penalty box. However, those who fight are regularly look...
Former professional hockey star Brett Hull was never the sort of brawler that roams the ice looking for a tussle, but that didn't make him any less intimidating to opposing goalies. Nicknamed "The Golden Brett" -- a play on wor...
Hockey is the national sport of Canada and one that is rooted firmly in the United States' northern regions, such as New England, Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin and the Dakotas. It's a sport that children start playing at a you...
A shootout is an end-of-game practice that is used to break ties in hockey. Hockey tends to be a low-scoring game, and many 60-minute contests conclude with the score tied. The National Hockey League instituted the shootout pri...
In hockey, penalties have an aggressor -- the person who throws a punch -- and an instigator, the person who may taunt the aggressor in an attempt to draw a penalty. Penalties such as roughing and fighting are dealt with in spe...
In the NHL, the term RFA stands for restricted free agent. Players who fall under this category can generally expect to receive a raise in pay, but they cannot freely sign with another team without that team giving up draft pic...
Accelerating down the ice, the puck carrier has to make a decision. He must continue to drive forward and shoot it or pass it quickly to set up a shot for his teammate. This takes an instinct to know what play is most likely to...
Hockey demands speed, quickness, agility and balance, plus the ability to absorb and dish out impact. You must often exhibit more than one of these simultaneously --- as when you get checked into the boards and try to remain on...
While many young hockey players dream of scoring goals and becoming offensive stars, it is the defenders in the game that usually take their team to the next level. Focusing on defense is not glamorous or exciting, and many pla...
Pain comes with the territory for hockey players who have to deal with bone-rattling body checks, brutal slashes and the constant threat of exposed skate blades and rock-hard pucks. Competing on ice only increases the potential...
The hat trick is a moment of celebration for hockey players and fans. When a hockey player gets a hat trick, it means he has scored three goals in a game. Scoring one goal in a game usually is considered an excellent achievemen...
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 prepare...
The plus-minus system is a statistical rating used in ice hockey to assess players' overall performances. While players are credited with scoring points when they score goals or are credited with one of the two assists that can...
Born in New Jersey, Drew Miller has become a Michigan boy, enjoying a standout collegiate hockey career at Michigan State University before finding NHL success with the Detroit Red Wings. Miller, a 6-foot 2-inch 180-pound playe...
No matter what kind of ability a player has at shooting, passing or making plays, it doesn't matter if a hockey player can't skate well. In addition to skating ability, hockey players must have speed, toughness, vision and athl...
When watching a hockey game, most fans notice the speed, creative plays, sensational saves and exciting goals. Although these elements make up much of the game and add excitement for the spectator, it is the little things that ...
Whenever you see fans littering the ice with hats during a hockey game, you know that a hat trick has occurred. While questions remain about how this convention started, fans enjoy a hat trick because it gives them a chance to ...
Hockey is a game of speed, power, toughness and determination. It can also be a game of great skill and subtlety. When you have the puck and you are trying to get into scoring position and you have a defender in front of you, y...
A front line defenseman in hockey is one of his team's best and most important players. Players in hockey are often categorized by their ability level. The best forwards on each team are known as "top 6" forwards, while the bes...
In February 2000, Vancouver Canucks enforcer Donald Brashear was knocked unconscious to the ice by a slashing stick to the side of his head wielded by Boston Bruin bad boy Marty McSorley. The result was a trip to court in Vanco...
Hockey is a game that requires skill and speed and toughness, but in the end is ruled by statistics like any other sport. An individual player's offensive success is measured by his point totals, while points also determine his...
Walk down the street to your office and you would likely be shocked if you saw two of your coworkers on the sidewalk exchanging punches. But continue that walk all the way to an arena such as Boston's TD Garden to watch the Br...
Hockey players, particularly those on the forward line, are in action only for short periods -- usually 40- to 50-second stretches. Substitutions are allowed freely -- at any time play stops and often even as play continues. Be...
An open net occurs when a team wants to pull its goalie and replace him with another skater to create more scoring opportunities. Hockey teams play with five skaters and one goalie. If the goalie is pulled for another skater, n...
NHL lockouts stop the league from functioning, which creates difficulties for fans, players and owners. All parties wish to avoid these work stoppages, but they become necessary when the players and owners cannot agree on how t...
Hockey jerseys come in a variety of sizes, colors and materials. Depending on the type of material you choose, your jersey might require a bit of breaking in before you are comfortable playing in it. Heavier jerseys, usually ma...
Hockey contains inherent danger, as players body-check each other and sometimes use their sticks as weapons. At the same time, however, rules exist to protect the players from these dangers by penalizing the individuals who bre...
Like many sports, hockey has unique statistical measuring tools to determine how well each individual player is performing in game situations. Players who score goals or make passes that set up goals are credited with points fo...
Hockey tournaments often decide the league champion. There are multiple ways a hockey tournament can operate. For example the NHL's Stanley Cup playoff tournament, which consists of four best-of-seven rounds, is quite different...
Hockey is a competitive sport that awards major championships at the professional and international level. The Stanley Cup is the top honor at the professional level and it is awarded to the National Hockey League's champion at...
Playing hockey requires speed, aggressiveness, play-making talent and the ability to skate with speed and balance. Playing the right wing position demands that a player have the ability to put the puck in the net and score with...
Major and minor hockey are different divisions of hockey based on player ability. Minor hockey can be played at the recreational level as well as in travel divisions, which feature the highest-skilled minor hockey players. Majo...
Ice hockey requires players with speed, strength, shooting ability and skill. The ability to fake a goalie out of position when you have the puck on your stick will give you the ability to score goals and become a dangerous off...
A hockey line is a group of three forwards on the same team who play together. Hockey lines are required to work together and focus on the same team strategy when on the ice. A hockey line consists of a left wing, a center and ...
To the uninitiated, professional ice hockey and college hockey would appear to be almost the same sports. Both games are played on a rink that is 200 feet by 85 feet and both games use five skaters and a goalie on each team. Ho...
Defenders are constantly trying to limit your space and time out on the ice, so working on drills that enable smooth puck movement in tight areas increases your chances for success. The physical nature and speed of the game of ...
Ice hockey features aggressive, all-out action, with players rocketing slap shots, trading bone-rattling checks and skating at break-neck speeds across the rink. Hockey's off-side rule provides a way to slow the pace and achiev...
A hockey referee's job is to enforce the rules, keep the on-ice activities orderly and ensure that the game is played fairly and that no one gets hurt. Calling penalties is one of the tasks assigned to the referees. A penalty c...
Ice hockey has many statistical measuring tools to rank its players. One of the most effective ways of judging a player's effectiveness is by looking at plus-minus totals during the season and seeing how they compare to other t...
Ice hockey players wear a lot of protective gear and clothing, and that holds true when it comes to their socks. Players wear two pairs of socks: skate socks and specially designed ice hockey socks. Skate socks protect their fe...
Hockey blades are made from either wood or composite materials. Blades are replaceable on two-piece hockey sticks but not on one-piece sticks. You simply slide the blade into the shaft of the stick using a process that involves...
The desire to become a top hockey player may become a part of your makeup the first time you step on the ice with a stick in your hand. To achiever your goals, you must build your skill level by working on your skating ability ...
Keeping the puck out of the net is vital to any team's chances of winning in hockey. The position of goaltender is often equated to quarterback in football because it's virtually impossible to win in either sport without a soli...
Hockey goalies train extensively to learn how to cut down angles and improve reflexes. It is their job to prevent you from scoring, and putting the puck in the net is rarely an easy task. Increasing the speed of your shots is a...
In hockey, dangling, another word for deking, means to fake out and maneuver around an opponent with the puck. Becoming efficient at dangling can lead to more scoring chances and greater puck possession. Players with effective ...
Dryland or iceless hockey is a form of the game that does not require ice. It is played in many communities by young players who don't have access to ice time for practice or games. Additionally, players may play dryland hockey...
Hockey is a fast paced, high impact sport. Playing hockey with any injury can be a difficult and painful task -- including playing with a groin pull. A groin pull often occur as the result of jumping, rapid changes in direction...
Scoring in hockey relies on your ability to put the puck on net. If you can't shoot accurately, you will not be able to score. Nearly as important as accuracy is the ability to get the puck away quickly. When you can shoot the ...
Scoring a goal is one of the most thrilling moments in hockey. Games are often low scoring, so any time a team scores a goal it is worthy of celebrating. Great scorers have an instinct for knowing where the opening will be, eve...
The fight strap on a hockey jersey attaches the player's jersey to his pants, ensuring that his jersey cannot come off during a fight. Players who fight without a fight strap run the risk of receiving an extra penalty as a resu...
Two-piece composite hockey sticks consist of a shaft and a blade. Replacing the blade is a relatively easy process that can be done at home with a few inexpensive tools. Composite blades are made from materials that are stronge...
Hockey tournaments, whether at the professional or youth level, are an exciting way for teams to play one another to determine a champion. The 2004 and 1996 editions of the World Cup of Hockey both featured eight international ...
Hockey training is a year-round process. As the post-season comes to an end, players and coaches begin to think about preparing for next year's season. Off-season hockey workouts play a large role in helping teams to achieve th...
There are several similarities between the sports of lacrosse and ice hockey. Many of the similarities take shape in the form and function of the game while others can be seen in the aggressiveness and attitude of the players. ...
Under the rules of hockey, a player who commits a penalty must leave the ice for a specified period of time. During that time, the opposing team will have more players on the ice, a situation referred to as a "power play." In O...
Hockey teams focus much attention on special teams play in order to excel during the season. The ability to score consistently on the power play and keep your opponents from scoring when they have a man advantage may mean the d...
Walk into a store and ask for a hockey shirt and you might get a boxy, two-tone jersey, or a tight-fitting, humorous T-shirt depicting a hockey player saying, "Teeth are overrated." Hockey shirts come in a variety of styles tha...
Power plays occur in hockey when a player takes a penalty and his team is forced to play with four skaters instead of five for the duration of the penalty. If two players on one team have taken a penalty, the opponent will have...
Junior hockey is typically a stepping stone for young players who wish to advance their hockey careers to the collegiate or professional level. Junior hockey is played through the USA Hockey organization. To ensure fairness acr...
The standard length of a hockey game is 60 minutes. However, the exact length of the game can vary depending on the particular point in the season. Games that are tied go into overtime, and the length of that overtime changes d...
The hockey net is as much a symbol of the game of hockey as a puck or a hockey stick. The look and dimensions of hockey nets are different from any other sport's nets. Hockey nets need to be regulation size and follow certain ...
Ice hockey is played on an ice surface that is usually 185 to 200 feet long and 85 to 100 feet in width. As a result of the large playing area, hockey players need endurance to be able to play out the length of a game. Hockey p...
Sidney Crosby is hockey's brightest star. In the 2009 Stanley Cup Finals and the 2010 Winter Olympics, Crosby used his brilliant talent to lead his teams to thrilling championships. Whether he was was wearing a Pittsburgh Pengu...
Playing goaltender in ice hockey requires athleticism, quickness, strength, skating ability and courage. Goaltenders are the last line of defense for their team. While they can't be responsible for stopping every shot, great go...
Play is started or resumed in a hockey game when the centers of two opposing teams line up for a faceoff. The ice has nine designated areas for a faceoff. Winning a faceoff is a key part of gaining possession of the puck. Neith...
If you're stumped on what to get your favorite hockey player, you could try a plastic set of gag false teeth -- provided he has a sense of humor. Other hockey novelty gifts range from the equally comical to crude to fit many pe...
The fast-paced, hard-hitting game of hockey can lead to a variety of injuries. The most common injuries seen in hockey are concussions, lacerations and fractures, as well as strains, dislocations and mensical injuries. To reduc...
Women's hockey contains many differences from the men's game, including the type of equipment used. At the Olympic Games, all women competing in ice hockey must follow these equipment rules during the tournament. The face shiel...
Hockey lends itself to variations and games that teach players the fundamentals of the sport. Hockey games fit into a P.E. unit on the sport or during hockey practice. A game-type approach to teaching hockey skills provides the...
Hockey players wear shin pads for protection from both the puck and other players' sticks. Pads should cover your shins from the top of the skate to above your knee. When choosing your shin pads, be sure to find a pair that fit...
Hockey is a fast, exciting and highly skilled game. In order to have a chance to play the game well, you need to have excellent skating ability, and then must develop talents that include shooting, passing, receiving the puck a...
The combination of stick use, intense physical contact, quick skating and flying pucks leads to a large number of hockey-related injuries -- including your knees. In fact, the British Columbia Injury Research and Prevention Uni...
Coaching a hockey team gives you the opportunity to find a style of play that best suits the talent on your team. You have to assess the physical and mental makeup of your team to figure out what gives your players the best cha...
The ways to score in ice hockey are numerous. One of the most spectacular and memorable ways to score is when a player comes skating into the offensive zone at top speed and unleashes a slap shot. This shot may reach speeds of ...
Street hockey, played in neighborhoods rather than on ice and skating rinks, brings the excitement and danger of the sport to nonskating kids. Street hockey, typically played on asphalt surfaces, poses risks to players. You sho...
Hockey is a fast-paced, hard-hitting game that is played recreationally and professionally across North America and much of the world. There are many facets that make up a hockey game, including rules such as icing and offsides...
A slap shot is the hardest and most intimidating shot in ice hockey. The top players in the game can fire a slap shot at speeds of better than 100 miles per hour. A slap shot is a devastating offensive weapon. When a player has...
Ice hockey is an exciting, competitive and sometimes violent sport in which collisions between athletes, and between athletes and the wall, can occur at fairly high velocities. According to researchers at Ohio State University,...
Hockey socks refer to the sleeve of material that cover your shin pads when you are in full hockey gear. Socks are typically the same color as your jersey, and teams typically have different colored socks to match both home and...
Shin pads are an important piece of equipment for a hockey player for both forwards and defensemen. Shin pads provide protection from pucks, sticks and the ice every time you fall down. Most of the protection on the shin pad is...
Many youngsters get introduced to the sport of ice hockey by playing at the mini hockey level. Youth hockey encourages players to work on their skating, learn how to pass and shoot a hockey puck and have fun while doing it. Coa...
Hockey is a demanding sport that requires a variety of different skills to be proficient. You are required to skate with expertise, handle the puck well, pass it smoothly and shoot it hard. It is also a physical game in which y...
The blade is the part of the hockey stick that makes contact with the puck. In the past, hockey sticks were made of wood, but advances in technology have allowed manufacturers to design sticks using composite materials, such as...
A youth hockey coach is not just a team's instructor but also a mentor and goal setter. Youth hockey ranges from ice to field hockey events, relying mainly on the coach to help train and develop game plays for successful wins. ...
Indoor roller hockey is a fun sport that is also an effective workout. Having the right kind of inline hockey wheels on your skates is important to ensure maximum performance. The key is choose wheels that have the right balanc...
The International Ice Hockey Federation governs the annual world hockey tournament known as the IIHF World Championship. The first world event was contested in 1920. The modern-era championship includes participants from up to ...
Hockey is one of the most difficult games to coach because you must make subjective judgments on your players' overall ability. In baseball, football and basketball, you can depend on hard statistics to tell you who is playing ...
Top hockey players are willing to dedicate hours to develop the characteristics of good hockey players. Without the ability to work both on and off the ice, even the most gifted natural athlete will not develop the skills neces...
Indoor hockey is a modified version of outdoor field hockey that was devised in the 1950s in Europe so players could play year-round. Indoor hockey can be played on any smooth, hard surface with a 44-meter by 22-meter area. For...
