Stick Handling
When breaking down the personal skills and growth of a hockey player, we must consider two major skills: skating and stick handling. The best players are usually ones who can not only generate speed, but also do it with a puck on their stick. In giving speedsters the ability to come out of a 1 on 1 situation with the puck, they will gain the confidence needed to elevate their game to an elite level. Puck control/stick handling is not a skill that preaches individual play. This skill is one that gives players the chance to read and react to what is going on without worrying about the puck.

Controlling the puck properly will give you the ability to buy time and space to find an open teammate. Being able to protect the puck and retain possession while teammates are on the way to help is a must for players of all ages. Our program focuses on proper upper and lower body functions in coordination with efficient timing. Repetition of these skills is important so that they stay engrained in the muscle memory and become reactions you don't think about during the game. We take pride in building proper technique. Remember perfect practice makes permanent!

Skills and knowledge learned:

• Breaking down fakes, moves or dekes step by step with footwork and puck movements (over 30 moves).
• Dribbling skills.
• Flat foot skating/shuffle stride.
• Going wide properly and efficiently.
• Body and hand posture and position.
• Which leg needs to be loaded and when.
• When and where to use specific moves.
• Expanding your comfort zone.
• Expanding your reach.
• Footwork with a puck.
• Toe control (toe of the stick).
• Puck protection.
• Game situation drills.

*Every program is built on an individual basis to fulfill the needs of players and teams at all levels of play.