Ice Hockey Coaching Blog

In this breakdown we discuss the CLOSED HIP technique. The open hip and the closed hip (10 & 2) maneuvers are essentially the same technique that are applied in different situations. The closed hip maneuver is a terrific skill that uses deception, which creates elusiveness, escape-ability and puck protection. This makes players more effective and dangerous....

Key Points: Puck is on the forehand either beside or behind the heels. This forces the defender to respect the threat to pass or shoot. Both skate blades are on the ice which allows for east-west skating deception. Head and eyes are up scanning the ice for the "best" available play. When attacking in this position you will be presented with multiple options to attack. Keeping your head and...

Sports are a microcosm of life. We have all heard this saying before, and for those of us that love sports, we know this to be true. If you break down any game, season, or career, you will find many parallels to life: ups, downs, adversity, setbacks, defeats, hard work, heartbreak, triumphs and more. Looking at the current state of the world, you could say...

As a youth hockey coach, it is crucial to figure out ways to make your practices fun and engaging.  If coaches and players enjoy coming to practice, great things will unfold throughout the season. Not only will players be more engaged during their time on the ice if they are having fun, but they will work harder, laugh louder, and the team will become closer because of it. Coaches...

Breaking the puck out of your defensive zone can be a tough and overwhelming task at any age level. In the article below, we dive into tips for centers, wingers and defencemen to keep in mind when breaking the puck out of the defensive zone, along with drills to help you practice. There is a lot of information in the article but if each player simply remembers (and practices)...

The game of hockey continues to evolve. One way it has evolved in recent years is the way that players are shooting the puck, and scoring goals. A wrist shot or a slapshot with a long windup are not as common (or effective) as they use to be. Those two techniques still have their uses, but the greatest goalscorers on the planet are working on new techniques to put the puck in the back of the...

The talent of hockey players continues to rise. Players are quicker, faster and more skilled than ever before. However, one major training component that coaches often overlook is adding in activities that force players to practice their decision making. There is a big difference between hockey drills that require a pre-determined course of action and ones where the players...

As each season passes by, the science of goaltending continues to improve and evolve. This evolution has made it harder for players to simply fire a puck and hit the back of the net. Goaltender angles and movements are scientifically measured to reduce open areas of the net. The butterfly is commonplace and goalies of all age levels are able to track pucks with t-pushes and shuffles...

Read below to view 36 fundamental skills that can be practiced with 5 cones on a small section of ice. Each skill works on a variety of edgework and puckhandling skills that can be applied in game situations. In the two videos below, Coach Ben Eaves demonstrates a wide variety of fundamental skills that were practiced in the beginning of his professional practices in...