GPYHA believes that summer is a time for our youth athletes to relax and have fun outdoors - many kids enjoy getting together with friends to play street hockey or perhaps spending a little time in their driveway to practice their stickhandling and take a few shots!
The Importance of Stickhandling: Stickhandling is a key skill for every hockey player to learn and to continually refine. Off-ice practice of stickhandling is an important way for a young player to develop the skill and muscle memory needed to be a quality puck handler.
Below are a few links to some instructional videos that offer puck handling guidance. The videos on the left are more advanced and the links on the right are more basic. Also below are a few links to equipment suggestions and other related items.
Line up 6-8 pucks or markers in a straight line. Start at one end of the line and puck handle between the markers, being careful not to touch any of the markers and do drill in reverse.
Set up markers or pucks in a diamond configuration with a center marker. Maneuver puck around each diamond corner marker and center marker one at a time, working your way around the diamond.
Arrange 3 markers or pucks in a triangle and situate yourself at the base. Stickhandle in figure 8 motion around one marker at base and peak and repeat around other base marker and peak marker.
Line up 6-8 pucks or markers in a straight line. Perform toe drags to maneuver between each marker, pulling puck back with backhand at each marker. For toe drag instruction refer to link to right.
Below are a few links to other stickhandling resources
A young Patrick Kane demonstrates great basic stickhandling instructional videos
Courtesy of How To Hockey
Courtesy of How To Hockey
Lots of great videos demonstrating hockey skills, courtesy of USA Hockey
Courtesy of Bauer
Below are a few links regarding equipment that you may find useful
Green Biscuit is an off-ice puck that works well on driveways, cellar floors, etc.
Great stickhandling ball that works on most surfaces
Stick length can have a major impact on a player's ability to control the puck, stickhandle, shoot and receive passes
