hockey
This week we will be learning about hockey. Hockey is a very physically active sport, with growing popularity in the United States. Not everyone gets an opportunity to play hockey so please take advantage of this weeks lesson. First will be the rules, regulations, and history. Then we will work on stick handling (dribbling & passing) then the final lesson will be shooting.
monday: rules, regulations, history
Below is a link to the USAH 2013-2017 Junior Rule Book
For rules, regulations, and general fair play information see pages 9-18 of the rule book.
For referee hand signals see pages 19-22.
Information about the rink, pages 25-27
Teams: pages 31-34
Equipment: pages 37-42
http://assets.ngin.com/attachments/document/0042/4250/2013-17_USAH_Junior_Rulebook.pdf
For rules, regulations, and general fair play information see pages 9-18 of the rule book.
For referee hand signals see pages 19-22.
Information about the rink, pages 25-27
Teams: pages 31-34
Equipment: pages 37-42
http://assets.ngin.com/attachments/document/0042/4250/2013-17_USAH_Junior_Rulebook.pdf
Please be sure to look over the image above
Below are pictures of how to properly hold a hockey stick
Below are pictures of how to properly hold a hockey stick
Other helpful websites
http://www.usahockey.com/
http://www.nhl.com/
This concludes or first day of hockey!
http://www.usahockey.com/
http://www.nhl.com/
This concludes or first day of hockey!
wednesday: Stick handling (Dribbling & passing)
Stick handling is one of the most important fundamental skills in hockey. You need good stick handling skills to play heads up hockey, to take and maintain possession of the puck, to win face-offs, to receive and make passes and to shoot the puck.All the great puck carriers, great passers and great shooters can stick handle, position and shoot or pass the puck with their head up; this requires a lot of focused repetitive training. Because stick handling is such an integral part of hockey, stick handling should be one of the first things that a player learns and practices.
Here is a video for stick handling. Please use this video for drills to practice your stick handling. Below is a video for passing tips and drills for hockey
Here is a cool video of great passes from professional hockey.
I understand not everyone has access to hockey equipment, however if you do, I want you to practice the drills from the videos above. Do each drill twice a day for 5 minutes apiece. If you do not have access to hockey equipment just be familiar with the proper techniques for each aspect of stick handling.
This concludes day two of our hockey unit. |
Learning stick handling
First, stick handle with your eyes fixed on the puck. Move the puck within a 12 to 18 inch span using a back and forth soft sweeping motion. Develop a comfortable rhythm, do not over handle the puck There should be very little impact and almost no sound. Practice side-to-side dribble, forward-to-backward dribble and diagonal dribbling. Master stick handling in a stationary position and then practice stick handling while moving forward, sideways and backwards. Improving Stick Handling Gradually take your eyes off the puck and fix them on your target or simply stick handle with your eyes closed. Master stick handling in a stationary position and then practice stick handling while moving forward, sideways and backwards. Develop a feel for the position of the dribbled puck. Stick handle the puck close to your feet and with full arm extension. Practice all the stick handling drills taught by your coach on the ice such as the forehand shift, the backhand shift and puck protection. Set up cones (use 2 liter pop plastic bottles half filled with water) and stick handle through them. Try not to look at the puck and keep count of the number of times you can stick handle through the cones without losing control of the puck. As you make the move around the cones, practice the fake motion for deeking players. Passing Hockey is a team sport and you have to be able to give and receive passes in order to excel at the game. It is imperative for players to practice and feel comfortable with all the different types of passes on both the forehand and backhand sides of the stick blade. Remember, passing is a far quicker method of moving the puck than skating, and you should always quickly advance the puck to open teammates whenever possible. Here are a few tips to think about and improving your passing game.
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friday: Shooting
We will be looking at the wrist shot in hockey. It is the most basic technique for shooting in hockey.
The wrist shot is probably the most effective shot in hockey. It is the most accurate shot and it can be released fairly quickly. This is the shot that a player should learn first. While not as fast as the slap shot, with practice, proper technique and upper body strength, the wrist shot can be a very powerful shot.
WRIST SHOT - Use the proper stick grip and take on the proper hockey stance. For the wrist shot, move your lower hand halfway down the shaft to add power to the shot. Position your body at a 45-degree angle to the net. Bring the puck behind or even with your back leg lowering your shoulder as you reach back and down with your stick to position the puck. Keep the puck in the middle of the blade with the blade tilted over the puck (rotate your wrists). In this position, your weight should be on your back leg.
Sweep the puck forward while transferring your weight toward your front foot and rotating your body forward. As the stick blade crosses your body, transfer body weight on your stick while pushing forward with your lower hand and pulling backward with your top hand. The puck is released when it reaches your front foot and your shoulders are square to the net. At the point of release, your wrists turn causing the stick blade to turn out and lift the puck. After the puck is released, follow through pointing the toe of your stick toward the target. The height of the shot depends on how much you rotate your wrists and how high your follow-through is.
The short wind up wrist shot is similar to the description above except that the puck is positioned between your back leg and front leg. Starting with your weight on your back leg, you step directly into the shot transferring body weight on your stick while pushing forward with your lower hand and pulling backward with your top hand. The short wind up has a quicker release and should be used when there is little time to prepare and power is not necessarily required.
For the wrist shot advanced shooters will position the puck on the back third of the blade. When the shot is released, the puck rolls toward the toe of the blade causing a spin on the puck, which provides a faster and more accurate shot.
Below is a video for drills to practice your wrist shot
The wrist shot is probably the most effective shot in hockey. It is the most accurate shot and it can be released fairly quickly. This is the shot that a player should learn first. While not as fast as the slap shot, with practice, proper technique and upper body strength, the wrist shot can be a very powerful shot.
WRIST SHOT - Use the proper stick grip and take on the proper hockey stance. For the wrist shot, move your lower hand halfway down the shaft to add power to the shot. Position your body at a 45-degree angle to the net. Bring the puck behind or even with your back leg lowering your shoulder as you reach back and down with your stick to position the puck. Keep the puck in the middle of the blade with the blade tilted over the puck (rotate your wrists). In this position, your weight should be on your back leg.
Sweep the puck forward while transferring your weight toward your front foot and rotating your body forward. As the stick blade crosses your body, transfer body weight on your stick while pushing forward with your lower hand and pulling backward with your top hand. The puck is released when it reaches your front foot and your shoulders are square to the net. At the point of release, your wrists turn causing the stick blade to turn out and lift the puck. After the puck is released, follow through pointing the toe of your stick toward the target. The height of the shot depends on how much you rotate your wrists and how high your follow-through is.
The short wind up wrist shot is similar to the description above except that the puck is positioned between your back leg and front leg. Starting with your weight on your back leg, you step directly into the shot transferring body weight on your stick while pushing forward with your lower hand and pulling backward with your top hand. The short wind up has a quicker release and should be used when there is little time to prepare and power is not necessarily required.
For the wrist shot advanced shooters will position the puck on the back third of the blade. When the shot is released, the puck rolls toward the toe of the blade causing a spin on the puck, which provides a faster and more accurate shot.
Below is a video for drills to practice your wrist shot
If you have access to hockey equipment please practice the drills from the video above twice a day for 5-10 minutes each. This is not a limit, feel free to practice these skills for as long and as frequent has you wish. I just ask that you do them at least twice a day for 5-10 minutes.
Here is an entertaining video of impressive goals of hockey.
Here is an entertaining video of impressive goals of hockey.
This concludes our unit on hockey. I have provided you with the essential tools to begin your journey into becoming an efficient hockey player. If anything I hope these lessons have helped spark your interest in a up and coming sport!