Foundational Skills

Foundational Skills - Offensively

As an elite hockey player, mastering the foundational offensive skills is essential for success on the ice. Skating is a critical skill for buying space, getting off the wall, and creating space. When you're able to navigate the ice with fluidity and precision, you'll be able to outmaneuver your opponents and create scoring opportunities. A strong skating technique will also allow you to maintain possession of the puck in tight spaces, making it more difficult for the other team to take it away from you.

In addition, wall play is important for both inside-out movements and pushing up the wall. When you're able to control the puck along the boards, you'll be able to create scoring opportunities for your team by setting up plays and making quick passes. In the neutral zone, it's crucial to have proper technique for playing off the wall and facing the puck. This will allow you to control the pace of the game and dictate the flow of play.

Puck protection is another key skill, which includes maintaining your own lane to the puck and using body leverage, as well as cutting the seam and net cycling. Puck protection is all about maintaining control of the puck, and when you're able to protect it effectively, you'll be able to move it up the ice and create scoring opportunities. Stick-on-puck hitting and defending is also crucial for controlling the play. This skill is all about being able to maintain possession of the puck and preventing the opposing team from taking it away from you.

Shooting for rebounds and face-offs, both for centers and wings, are also important skills for elite players to master. Being able to create scoring opportunities by shooting for rebounds, and face-offs are a key component of gaining control of the puck. When you're able to win face-offs, you'll be able to dictate the flow of play and create scoring opportunities for your team.

Shooting is a vital skill for elite players, and it's essential to locate the area, present your feet and stick, and have the ability to shoot one-time, two-touch, or scoop and shoot. A strong shooting technique will allow you to score goals and create scoring opportunities for your team. Passing, including supporting, catching, and receiving, is also crucial, and elite players should be able to perform back and forehand passes. This skill is all about being able to move the puck up the ice quickly and effectively, and when you're able to pass accurately and with precision, you'll be able to create scoring opportunities for your team.

Net front presence is another key skill, including screening the goalie's eyes, identifying rebound areas, getting to the back post, and executing tip-ins. This skill is all about being able to create scoring opportunities by getting to the front of the net and making it difficult for the opposing team to clear the puck. When you're able to establish a strong net front presence, you'll be able to create scoring opportunities for your team.

All these skills are critical for elite hockey players to master and will take their game to the next level. With a strong foundation in these foundational offensive skills, you'll be able to outmaneuver your opponents, create scoring opportunities, and take your game to the next level.

Foundational Skills -  Defensively

As an elite hockey player, mastering the foundational defensive skills is equally important as mastering the offensive skills in order to be successful on the ice. One of the key skills in defensive play is being involved in the attack, understanding the transition and defensive aspects of the game. This means recognizing when to switch from offense to defense and being able to execute the transition effectively.

Another important skill is having strong processing skills, or problem solving abilities. This means being able to quickly assess the situation on the ice and make decisions that will benefit your team. Skating is also a critical skill for defense, with an emphasis on speed and edges. Being able to skate quickly and with precision will allow you to keep up with the play and make it more difficult for the opposing team to score.

Stick skills, including passing and shooting, are also important for defensive play. When you're able to move the puck up the ice quickly and effectively, you'll be able to create scoring opportunities for your team. And having the courage to engage in physical contact, blocking shoot lanes, and boxing out is also crucial for defensive play. This means being able to take the body and control the space in front of your net, and make it more difficult for the opposing team to score.

All these skills are critical for elite hockey players to master, and when they are able to master them they will be able to play a strong defensive game and be a valuable asset to their team.

Angling

In offensive play, angling is a key skill that can be used to create space and gain an advantage over the defender. By choosing to angle towards the outside or inside, the offensive player can buy space, get off the wall, and cut the hands of the defender, creating an opening to take the puck to the net or make a pass. Skating is also an important aspect of angling in offensive play. Deception, double cut, jab step, middle cut, and change of speed are all important techniques that can be used to create space and make it more difficult for the defender to keep up. Additionally, attacking good ice, identifying when the opponent is vulnerable, attacking seams, and having good stick skills are all important aspects of angling in offensive play.

In defensive play, angling is used to take away time and space from the offensive player. Good ice versus bad ice is an important concept in defensive angling. The defender's goal is to deny the offensive player access to good ice and force them to bad ice. Body position, route to inside ice, stick position, sweeping from good ice to bad ice, stick on puck, and matching speed are all important techniques that can be used to deny good ice. When the defender can put their body in the correct position, deny good ice, and match the speed of the offensive player, they will be able to take away the offensive player's options and make it more difficult for them to score.

Overall, angling is a versatile skill that can be used in different situations and scenarios, both offensively and defensively. It’s a fundamental skill that helps players to control the game and gain an advantage over their opponents by either taking away or creating space. Mastering angling can help players to become more effective and efficient in both offensive and defensive play.

Puck Protection 

Protecting the puck is an essential skill for any hockey player, and one of the key techniques for doing so is using body protection. In order to protect the puck effectively, it's important to be aware of your body positioning and use it to your advantage. One technique that can be used is the back side, using your back to shield the puck from the defender. Another technique is using your leg/ knee to push the defender out of the way and maintain possession of the puck. Additionally, using one hand to control the defender and the other to control the puck and then back to two hands to control and protect the puck effectively.

Another important aspect of protecting the puck is owning the lane. This means positioning yourself so that you have the inside track to the puck, and making it more difficult for the defender to take it away from you. In order to own the lane, it's important to have your shoulder inside, which will give you more control over the puck. Pre-bumping the defender can also be an effective technique, as it will disrupt their positioning and make it more difficult for them to take the puck away. Additionally, having your knees bent will give you more leverage, making it easier to maintain possession of the puck.

Overall, protecting the puck is an essential skill for any hockey player, and by mastering the techniques of body protection and owning the lane, players can become more effective at maintaining possession of the puck and creating scoring opportunities.