| Although this post is focused on helping beginners, a lot | | | | up is enough to stop him. Even those who aren't |
| of experienced players make these same mistakes. I'd | | | | strong shooters find goal scoring opportunities when |
| love to pretend I'm not guilty of these offenses, but | | | | camping out in front of the goal; some of the best |
| let's just say it doesn't hurt to have a friendly reminder. | | | | assists are provided courtesy the goalie's pads. One |
| Keeping the Head Down | | | | of the best ways a player can help his teammates is |
| Players who aren't used to the feeling of a puck on | | | | by always providing a passing option. |
| the end of their stick have a tendency to look down to | | | | Watching Passes to Make Sure They Connect |
| make sure it's still there. While stick-handling is | | | | It is not necessary to wait around to admire a perfect |
| important, it's still secondary to being able to move the | | | | pass or watch nervously to see if a shaky pass |
| puck well. Think about it: the puck will always be the | | | | connects. Most beginners can skate a lot faster when |
| fastest moving and most maneuverable object on the | | | | they don't have the puck, so cutting to an open area is |
| ice. If a player's eyes are constantly checking on the | | | | often a good option immediately after dishing the puck. |
| puck he will miss what is happening around him. On the | | | | Remember, when passing to a player who is moving, |
| other hand, a player with his head up can survey the | | | | make sure to lead them. Pass to where he will be, not |
| scene; he can avoid defenders, see open teammates, | | | | to where is at present. |
| and take cues from the goalie. A player who can set | | | | Turning Away From the Offense |
| up passes will be a much better asset to his team | | | | In most circumstance it is not natural to face an object |
| than someone who can skate fast and execute fancy | | | | flying right at you, but this is hockey. Shinguards and a |
| toe drags. | | | | cup are worn to protect the front of the body. When |
| Giving Up After Getting Burned | | | | players turn their back to a shot, it leaves their calves |
| New players are bound to let an opponent slip by at | | | | and thighs vulnerable to abuse. Most importantly |
| some point, it happens. The real problem occurs when | | | | though, their eyes are taken off the play. The best bet |
| the defender doesn't pursue the puck after getting | | | | is to face the shooter and take a puck to the shins or |
| beat. Teammates tend to be more understanding if a | | | | block it with the stick. A puck bouncing of these |
| solid effort is made to retrieve the puck after losing it. It | | | | surfaces will be the most predictable, and often result |
| may take time for a player to develop speed and | | | | in an easy turn over. |
| cornering, but he can show hustle from day one. Many | | | | Carrying the Puck Too Far From the Body |
| times a player's persistence pays off, and he is able to | | | | Players who are still developing their stick handling skills |
| regain possession of the puck. In addition, a sense of | | | | can prevent the puck from being stolen. Keeping the |
| personal pride is felt when a player is able to redeem | | | | body between the puck and the defender is a great |
| himself. | | | | way to maintain possession. By using the body as a |
| Holding the Stick Too High From the Ground | | | | shield a defender will be boxed out to the point he is |
| One of the most basic fundamentals of hockey is | | | | unable to make a steal.. Too many rookies hang the |
| keeping the stick down on the ice. When it's there | | | | puck a few feet out from their body, making it easy |
| passes are easier to receive, quick shots are easier to | | | | for a defender to slap it away. The only thing a |
| execute, and those playing defense are more likely to | | | | defender should be able to see is the name on the |
| intercept the puck. Hockey is a fast paced sport | | | | back of the jersey. And remember, body contact is |
| where every second counts. Sometimes the time it | | | | OK! |
| takes to bring the stick from the knees to the ice is | | | | Clearing the Puck In Front of the Home Goal |
| enough to miss an opportunity. A blade on the ice also | | | | A player should never dump the puck in front of his |
| helps hockey players stay low and maintain proper | | | | own goal. It is the tendency of some beginners to get |
| posture. | | | | nervous and dump the puck without even looking to |
| Getting Caught Out of Position | | | | see who they are passing it to. They may think this is |
| Each player on a team has a responsibly and | | | | better than the alternative, but often a member of the |
| teammates need to be able to count on one another. | | | | opposing team is center ice in front of the goal, ready |
| Part of being dependable means being at the right | | | | to receive the puck. An assist to the other team is |
| place at the right time. When defending, sometimes | | | | much worse than a turn over. |
| just putting a body on an opponent or hitting his stick | | | | |