Backwards crossover starts are an important skating skill especially for defensmen.
Key Coaching Points
Good hockey position with bent knees and chest up.
Weight on balls of our feet.
Carefull not to lean too far forward...
Coaching Points for a 1 on 1 (Defensively)
On a rush the defense as to try and match the speed of the attacker.
In defensive zone you have to take a good angle and try to dictate where you want the opponent to go.
Make sure stick is on the...
Coaching Points for Defending 2 on 1's
Hold the middle and try to force a bad angle shot.
Have good stick position with the blade of the ice flat on the ice.
Never let the puck carrier cross in front of the goalies eyes.
Here are a few options for wingers on their off-hand (weak) side when the puck is rimmed around the wall. First and foremost you always want to check what the opposing defense is doing. Are they allowing you time and space to gather the puck or are...
One of the hardest things to teach centers on the breakout is the timing. It is critical that the centers have a good sense of timing so they can support the defense and wingers when they have the puck. If they get too far ahead of the play they...
Here are some breakout tips for wingers on their strong side when the puck is rimmed along the wall. There are three situations listed below but on all situations the wingers should do the following three things:
look up ice to see what the...
It is important to know if you are on your strong side or your weak side and note where your opponents strong and weak side are. This will help you determine where they will most likely be trying to win the puck. Most ofter the other players will be...
Tips for Winning Face-Offs on Your Strong Side
Turn over bottom hand.
Spread legs out wide and get low.
Use timing to win puck back using your backhand.
If you are struggling with timing then another option is to clear the circle and...
Zone Entry Tips
If possibe get to the middle of the ice which opens up more options.
Suck the defense to the middle and then distribute puck to the outside.
Create a 2 on 1 with one of the defenders.
Zone Entry Options
Pass puck...
This is a great setup for a warm-up skills series that uses progressions appropriate for novice to elite skill levels. Ben Eaves demonstrates all 26 skills and progressions of this skills series he learned while playing professional hockey in...
Ice Hockey skills progressions are extremely important for the development of young ice hockey players. They need to work on fundamental skills on a consistent basis to help improve their game. In this video, Ben Eaves demonstrates additional...
Coaching Points for the Forward Stride
feet are shoulder width apart
knees slightly bent
weight over balls of feet
use deep knee bend for maximum power
extend at 45 degree angle
Key Points
Lean on edges as though you are going to fall over.
Keep a 1/4 squat position in the gliding leg.
Lead with your head, the head dictates where the body moves.
Key Points for Working on Outside Edges
Lean into the outside edge as if you are falling over.
The more you lean, the more force and power you create.
Lead with your head, the head dictates where the body goes.
Inside / Outside Edges Key Points
Lean into the inside edge with gliding leg in a 1/4 squat position.
Pivot toward your big toe & spin on the ball of your foot.
Lean into outside edge holding 1/4 squat position.
Key Points for Inside Outside Inside Edges
Lean into inside edge with gliding leg in a 1/4 squat position.
Pivot toward your big toe and spin on the ball of your foot.
Finish 360 degree turn with 180 degree mini jump to inside edge.
Here are keys to the control turn:
Keep center of gravity low
Head leads the turn
Lean into edges
Inside leg should be in front leading the turn on outside edge
Outside foot is slightly behind on inside edge
Keys for Mohawk Pivoting
Try to touch heels together by opening up the hips.
Maintain speed by using inside edges and pushing of inside edges.
Finish by closing hips and getting toes pointed up ice.
Forehand only puck control allows you to have the puck in a position where you are ready to make a play. It requires you to move your body and hips around the puck.
Keys for forehan only puck control
Push and pull the puck to keep it on the...
We use this skill when we want to carry the puck at top speed.
Key Coaching Points
Use top hand only (either forehand or backhand).
Push the puck while keeping it close to your blade (12" or less).
Keep your head up and eyes up, use...
The single shift is a simple move but players that do it well are extremely deceptive.
Important Coaching Points
Load to one side and explode to the other.
Use head and shoulders to sell the fake before exploding to the other side.
Use...
In this video Ben Eaves demonstrates the importance of protecting the puck vs. exposing it. Use your body, hips, and stick to surround and protect the puck until you are ready to make a play. Expose the puck once your are ready to make a play.
It is inevitable thoughout a corse of a game that you will get a pass in your skates. In this video, Ben Eaves discusses the proper technique to direct the puck to your stick. The main keys are to keep your skates on the ice and angle your skates to...
Key Coaching Points for Forehand Passing
Spin the puck heel to tow off the stick blade.
Pull with top hand.
Push into ice with bottom hand and turn wrist over to point to target.
The one touch pass is key for higher level players as it requires knowing where you want to pass before you get the puck.
Key Points for a One Touch Pass
know your target before receiving the pass.
lean into your blade pressing the heel...
Keys to the Forehand Saucer Pass
Spin puck off blade from heel to toe.
The more spin the flatter the pass will be.
Lean heel of the blade into the ice to elevate the puck.
The wrist shot is a sweeping motion where the puck rolls of the blade from heel to toe.
Keys to a good wrist shot include:
start with good hockey position with knees bent and slightly bent at the waist.
good weight transfer from back foot...
Snap shots are generally more effective than wrist shots becuase they are quicker and can catch goalies by surprise.
Here are some key to a good snap shot:
use the natural flex of the stick to generate power by driving the heel of the blade...
Ben Eaves demonstrates a Catch and Release Shot. This shooting technique can catch a defenceman and goalie off guard because it can result in a quicker shot release.
Keys to a Good Catch and Release Shot
present your stick so your...
One Timer Coaching Points
You must receive a pass that can be one-timed, typically somewhere between your legs.
Strong top hand.
Lower hand drives heel of stick into the ice.
Turn on back hip.
Weight shifts from back foot to front foot...
The key to a quality one timer on your strong side is your lower hand. It has to be firm and dig into the ice as the puuck arrives. It is more of a re-direction so the bottom hand needs to be firmso the puck does not slide off the toe.
Key Points...
Shooting in stride is a great skill for all players to add to their skill set. The exceptional goal scorers are typically very good at this. The reason it is so effective is that it catches the defense and goalie by surprise. Therefore the shot...
Key Points for Tipping the Puck in Front of the Net
Take away the eyes of the goal tender.
Use a strong base with stick between your body.
Be ready to tip the puck on either side of your body.
Tip the puck down if possible.
Coach Ben Eaves demonstrates a simple, yet highly effective 3 part progression to practice changing your shot angle. This progression can be done on and off the ice. It is important to practice the pull & release shot for two major reasons...
Getting shots through from the point is extremely important. It can be the difference between a wasted scoring opportunity or breakaway for the other team!
Here are 3 Different Shots for a defenceman to practice with a simple set up. The goal of...
