Ice Hockey Skill Development Videos

Finnish Skills Warm Up Series

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...

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Finnish Ice Hockey Skills Series Part #2

Finnish Skills Series Part #2

Ice Hockey skills progressions are extremely important for the development of young ice hockey players. They need to work on fundamental skills...

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Hockey Player Position

This video reviews the proper hockey position for players. While it is very basic, it's important to teach the proper hockey position to make sure...

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Backwards Crossover Start

Backwards crossover starts are an important skating skill especially for defensmen. Key Coaching Points Good hockey position with bent...

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Tips for playing 1 on 1's in Ice Hockey (defensively)

1 on 1 Tips for Defenders

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...

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2 on 1 Tips for Defenders

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...

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Breakout Tips for Wingers on Off-Hand Side

Breakout Tips (Off-Hand Wingers)

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...

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Breakout Tips for Centers

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...

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Breakout Tips for Wingers on Strong Side

Breakout Tips (Strong Side Wingers)

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...

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Weak Side Face-Off Tips

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...

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Strong Side Face-Off Tips

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...

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Zone Entry Tips

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...

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Forward Stride

Coaching Points for the Forward Stride feet are shoulder width apart knees slightly bent weight over balls of feet use deep knee bend for...

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Forward Skating

This is a great video that teaches the fundamentals of forward skating. Coaching Points: Start in Hockey Position Keep your elbows by your...

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Single Leg Pushes

Single leg pushes in ice hockey are great to work on especially for younger players. Coaching Points Start in Hockey Position Tight base...

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One-Leg Drag - Forward Skating Exercise

This exercise helps players work on the technical aspects of the forward stride. By dragging the toe on the ice it forces them to bring the extended...

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Quick Fix: Forward Skating

Here are some tips to help hockey players work on their forward stride and be a more efficient forward skater. Tip #1 - Keep your head square....

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Using Edges: The Basics

Your skates are equiped with an inside and an outside edge. It is important for young hockey players to get comfortable using both edges. Your edges...

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Inside Edges

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...

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Outside Edges

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...

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Quick Fix: Outside Edges

When players are learning to use their outside edge it can be tough for them to learn to trust that outside edge. Encourage them to lean into that...

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Inside Outside Edges

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...

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Inside Outside Inside Edges

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...

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Quick Fix for Skating - When Players Skate on Outside Edges

Here is a quickfix for coaches who are trying to help their young players with their skating. This will help you work with your players when...

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Control Turns

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...

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Jam Turns

A Jam Turn is an extremely tight turn that allows us to change direction quickly and under control. It is not quite a stop, the Jam Turn allows us to...

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Punch Jams

A punch jam in ice hockey is a term used to describe a deceptive move by the puck carrier. It can be described as almost a half of a jam turn. A jam...

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Hockey Stop: Tips on how to do a side stop in hockey

Most players will have one side that is stronger than the other when they do a hockey stop. Therefore it is important to work on both sides when...

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Quick Fix: Stopping

One of the more difficult fundamentals for young players to get comfortable with is the hockey stop. A major problem area is that players like to try...

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Quick Fix: Side Stopping Part 2

Two common issues we see in the hockey stop are: The trailing skate tends to drag behind during the stop. Tend to catch the outside edge...

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Forward Cross Overs

In this video we breakdown how to teach the forward cross overs. Step #1 - Outside Push Step #2 - Cross Over Step #3 - Under Push...

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Forward Crossover Start

Key Coaching Points Drive inside leg through ice Get low and lean into crossover Top leg crosses over Turn hips and body forward

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How to Skate Backwards (for hockey players)

In this video Dwayne Blais teaches the fundamentals of backwards skating. Coaching Points start with good hockey position. carve c-cuts...

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Quick Fix: Backwards Skating Part 1

One way to get the players to get into a good body position and get used to making C's in the ice is to have them drop their stick and place their...

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QUICK Fix: Backwards Skating Part 2

For young players we do not have to emphasize "carving a C" quite so much when teaching them how to skate backwards. Instead we can work using both...

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Backwards to Forwards Pivot

Key coaching points for pivoting from backwards to forwards: Make a C-cut to open up hips Bring heels together Transfer weight and push off...

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How to Do Backwards Cross-Overs

In this video we break down backwards cross-overs into three simple steps: Outside push (c-cut). Continue with the c-cut and bring the foot...

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How to Perform a Transition Turn

Transistion turns in hockey are necessary any time you need to change direction in the game of hockey. In this video Dwayne Blais discusses how to...

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Bracket Turns for Hockey Players

A bracket turn is a transition turn where you go forwards, backwards briefly, and then forwards going the opposite direction. Let's break it down...

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Mohawk Pivoting

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...

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Basic Stickhandling

Key Coaching Points: Strong top hand Loose bottom hand Roll both wrists when moving side to side

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Forehand Only Puck Control

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...

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Pushing the Puck

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...

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Single Shift

The single shift is a simple move but players that do it well are extremely deceptive. Important Coaching Points Load to one side and...

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Exposing vs. Protecting the Puck

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...

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Receiving Puck in Skates

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...

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Forehand Passing

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...

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Backhand Passing

Important Coaching Points Spin the puck from heel to toe. Make sure to close the blade and follow through to target.

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One Touch Pass

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...

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Forehand Saucer Pass

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...

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Backhand Saucer Pass

Keys to a Backhand Saucer Pass Spin puck heel to toe. Lean heel of blade into the ice to elevate the puck. The more spin the flatter the...

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Wrist Shot

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...

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Snap Shot

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...

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Catch and Release Shot

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...

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Backhand Shot

Keys to the Backhand Shot lean onto strong side foot. spin the puck heel to toe. follow through towards the intended target.

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One-Timer Shot

One Timer Coaching Points You must receive a pass that can be one-timed, typically somewhere between your legs. Strong top hand. Lower hand...

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Strong Side One Timer

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...

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Shooting in Stride

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...

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Net Front Tips

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....

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3 Puck Possession Positions

In the video above, Coach Eaves demonstrates the 3 Fundamental Puck Possession Positions. It is important for players and coaches to...

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Changing the angle of your shot in hockey

Stationary Pull & Release Shooting Progression

Coach Ben Eaves demonstrates a simple, yet highly effective 3 part progression to practice changing your shot angle. This progression can be...

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Deceptive Point Shooting Progression

Getting shots through from the point is extremely important. It can be the difference between a wasted scoring opportunity or breakaway for the other...

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Shooting Off The Pass - Corners

A great skill to help you increase your chances of scoring a goal is to learn how to quickly shoot off a pass! In video above, we show you...

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Shooting Off The Pass - Point

A great skill to help you increase your chances of scoring a goal is to learn how to quickly shoot off a pass! In the example above, we...

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Quick Release & Reaction Shooting Progression

An excellent progression to work on Quick Shot Release & Reaction time! This series is commonly practiced by NHL All-Star Zach Parise to work on...

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Close Open Close Stickhandling Series

The Close Open Close Stickhandling Series is a progression of 4 exercises that help players get comfortable with separating their upper body from...

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Puck Retrieval Along The Boards

Retrieving the puck along the boards happens countless times throughout the course of the game and it is where many 1 on 1 battles are won or lost....

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