Mastering Puck Control
The Key to Hockey Success
If you want to be an elite player, puck control is an essential skill that can make or break your performance. Not just any puck control, though; we're talking about controlling the puck with your eyes up and at high speed and under pressure. As a coach, I understand that developing this skill is paramount, and it all starts with the fundamentals. In this blog post, we'll explore the importance of puck control, how we work on it through core moves and turning drills, and why it's a foundational aspect of developing hockey sense.
A prerequisite of Hockey Sense
Developing great puck skills is one of the building blocks of hockey sense. If a player needs to constantly look down at the puck while handling it, they miss out on valuable information about their teammates' positions, the opponent's movements, and the overall flow of the game. If a player comes to the bench and the coach gives them feedback, but they are preoccupied with looking down at the puck, they won’t be able to process the information the coach is trying to help them with, simply because they weren’t able to see it. Aggregate that thought over many years, and thats a lot of teachable moments were missed… Worse yet, looking down can lead to collisions and potential injuries.
Practice Design for Maximum Puck Time
In a typical team practice with pre-determined pattern drills, players often have limited time with the puck on their stick. This is why we design our practices to ensure that players have ample opportunities to control the puck with no pressure and under varying levels of pressure. By creating situations that mimic real-game scenarios, we help players build the confidence and skills necessary to excel on the ice.
Puck Control with Eyes Up
In hockey, the ability to control the puck while keeping your eyes up is a game-changer. It allows players to read the play, make quick decisions, and execute precise passes and shots. When you're constantly looking down at the puck, you miss valuable information about your surroundings, limiting your ability to contribute to the team's success.
The Core Moves: Building the Foundation
We believe in laying a strong foundation through repetition of what we call the "core moves." These moves include:
Body Fakes: Using subtle body movements to deceive opponents and protect the puck.
Toe Drags: A move that involves pulling the puck around an opponent's stick with your toe while maintaining control.
Snap Across: A quick lateral movement of the puck to create separation from a defender.
Snap Through: Similar to the snap across but moving the puck through the legs for added deception.
Spins: Rotating your body to shield the puck from opponents while maintaining awareness of the ice.
Push Outs: Using precise stick work to push the puck to your strong side (opposite of toe drag) into open spaces while moving at high speeds.
We incorporate these core moves into a drill we like to call the butterfly pattern, where players skate up the middle of the ice, performing the moves and then circling back down the wall to work on them again. This repetition is crucial to develop a feel for the puck and build confidence in executing these moves during game situations.
Turning Drills for Puck Feel
Controlling the puck with your eyes up also requires an exceptional feel for the puck on your stick. We emphasize turning drills, including tight turns and larger crossovers, to help players develop this feel. The key is to maintain puck control while scanning the ice, enhancing spatial awareness and decision-making.
Mastering puck control with your eyes up and at high speed is a critical skill for hockey success. It allows players to read the game, make smart decisions, and contribute effectively to their teams. Through repetitive drills focusing on core moves and precise turning exercises, we help players develop this skill and, in turn, enhance their overall hockey sense.