Home » Youth Off-Ice »
NO RINK NEEDED!
Here you will find fun and simple ways to learn the game of hockey right in your driveway or in your home. Try out some of these drills and games with friends or family!
Hold the Stick
When you pick up the stick for the first time, identify which side of your body feels the most comfortable to hold the stick. If you hold the stick with your left hand in the middle, you are considered a left-handed hockey player. If you hold the stick with your right hand in the middle, you are considered a right-handed hockey player.
Be in Proper Position
1. Stand with your feet shoulder width apart.
2. Your knees should be slightly bent with your back straight so your lower back is protected.
3. Your head should be up so you can see where you are going.
4. Holding the stick the proper way, the ball or puck should be out in front of you and not directly at the feet. This ensures the head stays up so you can see your surroundings.
Stickhandle
1. Tap the ball or puck using the forehand side of the blade (inside part).
2. Lift the stick blade up over the ball or puck to the other side.
3. Tap the ball or puck using the backhand side of the blade (outside part).
4. Lift the stick blade up over the ball or puck back to the forehand side. When stickhandling, rotate your wrists slightly to cup the hockey ball or puck with the stick blade. This rotating motion is similar to opening a doorknob. Using this motion will allow for more control of the ball or puck when stickhandling and will ensure the ball or puck stays in the center of the stick blade.
5. Practice around objects to get a better feel for the motion.
Give and Receive a Pass
1. Give a pass by sweeping the stick blade across your body towards the other player. For a forehand pass, the bottom hand should be pushing the stick across your body. When executing a backhand pass, the bottom hand should be pulling the stick across your body.
2. Receive a pass by guiding the ball or puck as it comes to you to ensure it does not bounce off of the stick blade. Stickhandle to get the ball or puck under control before passing back to the other player.
Take a Shot on Net
1. The key to a powerful shot on net is the transfer of weight from one foot to the other.
2. When executing a shot on net, bring the ball or puck to your back foot, rotate the wrist on your bottom hand downwards so the stick blade is slanted towards the ball or puck, transfer your weight from your back foot to your front foot as you sweep the ball or puck towards the net.
3. Follow-through by pointing the stick blade at the net to ensure accuracy.
4. For a forehand shot, your bottom hand should be pushing the stick across your body. When executing a backhand shot, your bottom hand should be pulling the stick across your body.
Skill Development
Stickhandling
Let's start practicing your stickhandling skill by weaving through objects (can be cones, shoes, boxes, towels, books, etc.)! Work using the inside and outside of the blade while moving around each item and maintaining control.
Practice your stickhandling skills by racing against some friends or timing how fast you can stickhandle down to a cone (or any other object) and back! Focus on keeping your head up and looking ahead of you instead of at the ball/puck.
Gather together for hockey's version of tag! Someone begins the game as the tagger and is without a ball/puck. The person who is the tagger has to steal the ball/puck away from the other players as they move around the designated area.
passing
Partner up to practice this passing drill! Work on using the proper technique; emphasize sweeping the ball or puck when passing and guiding it onto your blade when receiving a pass. Focus on controlling the ball/puck first before passing back.
Gather 3-4 people together to practice passing in a group! Practice using both your forehand and backhand by passing clockwise and counterclockwise. Focus on guiding the ball or puck onto your stick-blade and before returning the pass.
Partner up and work on passing while moving forward! Focus on leading your partner with each pass so they don't have to stop their momentum. Work on using both the forehand and backhand side of the blade.
Taking a Shot on Net
Scatter obstacles around an area (can be shoes, boxes, towels, books, etc.) to practice stickhandling in different directions. Take a shot (using a net, in-between two shoes, against a wall, etc.) at the end! Focus on proper technique and an accurate shot
Have a partner pass the ball/puck to you as you approach the net. Focus on collecting the pass first, then take a shot on net. Follow through after the shot by pointing your stick-blade at the net. Try taking both a forehand and backhand shot.