Stick Handling Tips

Stick Handling Tips

Cup The Puck. Roll your wrist over and under when dribbling the puck to develop smooth soft hands. The puck should move from your forehand to backhand with little sound and try to avoid erratic slapping when stick handling.

 Practice Variation Dribbling. Always practice dribbling the puck in many different positions and not just directly in front of your body. Dribble and move the puck in all positions from your forehand to your backhand sides of your body.

Keep Your Head Up. Concentrate on keeping your head and eyes up as much as possible when practicing stick handling. Stick handling with your head up is an essential skill in order to play safe and effective hockey.

 Practice Off The Ice. Stick handling skills can be greatly improved off the ice in driveways and garages. Devoting extra time at home each day can really improve a player’s stick handling abilities. 

 Develop Strong Wrists. Developing strong wrists, hands, and forearm muscles is important in order to become a good stickhandle.

 Keep Hands Out From Body. Concentrate on moving your hands out away from you body. This allows your hands to move freely and increases your stick handling reach and range of motion.

 Use Training Obstacles. Practicing stick handling through and around training obstacles that simulate real life players can be very beneficial.

 Incorporate Training Games. Using and developing games is a fun way to improve stick handling skill.

Practice Stationary And Moving. Both stationary and moving stick handling skills need to be practiced. A good stationary stick handling tool is thestick handling horseshoe and almost any obstacle can be practiced moving as well.

Develop Quick Hands. Hockey is a fast paced game and you need to have quick hands in order to succeed at a high level. You should always push yourself to stickhandle beyond your comforts zone in order to develop faster hands.