Puck Control: 18 Actionable Tips

Puck Control: A Key to Hockey Success

Puck control is one of the most important skills a hockey player can develop, and serves as the basis for effective offensive play, strong defense and overall game awareness. Whether you’re a forward weaving through defenders, a defenseman making a breakout pass, or a goalie clearing pucks from behind the net, mastering puck control allows you to make quick decisions, maintain possession and keep the game flowing in your favor.

Knowing exactly where to send the puck to your teammate makes a huge difference, turning every play into your play. As the great Wayne Gretzky once said, “I skate to where the puck is going to be, not where it has been.”

This article looks at the essentials of this skill, its importance in hockey and tips for improving it.

What is Puck Control?

Puck control refers to a player’s ability to maneuver, protect and maintain possession of the puck while under pressure from opponents. It involves handling the puck smoothly, accurately and efficiently, enabling players to execute plays without turning the puck over. This skill allows you to make quick decisions, change directions, avoid checks and create scoring opportunities.

To become effective at puck control, you need to focus on several key skills:

• Stickhandling The art of moving the puck on the ice while keeping it close and under control.
• Puck protection Involves shielding the puck from your opponent using your body or stick.
• Passing and shooting Successfully getting the puck to your teammate or shooting it on goal, using precision and control.
• Receiving the pass Ensuring clean and smooth reception of passes while maintaining possession.

The Importance of Maintaining Puck Possession

1. Possession is Everything In hockey, as with most every sport, possession is everything: the team with the puck has control of the game. By maintaining possession you can dictate the pace, make precise passes and create scoring chances. Good puck control reduces the likelihood of turnovers, ensuring your team keeps the offensive pressure on and does not open it up for a counterattack from the opposing team.
2. Creates Scoring Opportunities Effective puck control helps you deftly maneuver around defenders, creating space to pass or shoot. In quick situations, such as breakaways or odd-man rushes, being able to handle the puck while maintaining speed and avoiding defenders is crucial for creating scoring chances.
3. Winning Battles along the Boards In hockey, many puck battles occur along the boards. The ability to sustain strong puck control is essential for winning them, as you need to protect the puck from your opponents while keeping them in their positioning, creating time to make plays.
4. Defensive Capabilities Puck control is not just for those on offense. Defensive players use it on the outlet passes out of their own zone and for the transition from defense to offense. The ability to handle the puck under pressure in the D zone can prevent turnovers and make it easier to pass the puck quickly to a forward.
5. Grace under Pressure Puck control is also a factor of a player’s confidence and composure. When you keep cool under pressure, it reflects your ability to do so in difficult situations. This makes you more effective in close games and under challenging conditions.

Key Puck Control Skills

Stickhandling is the most fundamental skill of puck control. To become proficient at it, you need to develop good hand-eye coordination as well as a strong sense of the feel of the puck. Good stickhandling involves using the blade of your stick to move the puck with quick, subtle movements while keeping it close to your body. Here are some ways to improve your stickhandling:

• Practice in tight spaces Work on moving the puck through cones or around obstacles to develop control in close quarters.
• Use both sides of your stick Alternate between your forehand and backhand to increase flexibility.
• Heads Up! The importance of situational awareness while stickhandling cannot be emphasized enough. It helps you make better decisions and avoids turning the puck over. (This is imperative when playing in a checking league!)

Puck Protection

Puck protection refers to the ability to shield the puck from an opponent, making it difficult for them to strip it away. This skill involves using your body, positioning and stick to create a barrier between the puck and your opponent.

Puck Protection Tips

• Use your stick Extend your stick to create space between you and your opponent. Use quick flicks of your wrists to adjust your position if needed.
• Use your body Keep your body between the puck and your opponent to prevent them from snatching it.
• Keep a low stance A low center of gravity helps you shield the puck more effectively and keeps you better balanced, especially when absorbing a hit.

Receiving a Pass

A critical but often overlooked aspect of puck control is receiving the puck cleanly. Poor receptions can lead to turnovers or missed opportunities. Tips for pass reception include:

• Extend your stick Have your stick out in anticipation of the pass.
• Easy does it Use soft hands when receiving a pass to provide a cushion as the puck hits your stick.
• Keep your head up Always be aware of your surroundings to make quick a decision after receiving the puck.

Puck Control Drills

Improving puck control requires consistent practice and repetition. Here are a few key drills you can use to develop your puck-handling skills:

1. Figure-Eight Stickhandling Weave through a series of cones or obstacles, handling the puck in a figure-eight motion. This drill improves quick movements and puck control in tight spaces.
2. Toe-Drag Drills Practice dragging the puck with the toe of your stick to maneuver around defenders or obstacles. This technique is useful for creating space and evading pressure from opponents.
3. Puck Protection against a Defender Have a teammate challenge you as you try to maintain control of the puck along the boards or in open ice. This drill improves your ability to shield the puck from defenders.
4. Passing and Receiving Work with a partner on quick, accurate passing and receiving. Emphasize soft hands and the ability to quickly transition from receiving a pass to passing or shooting.
5. Shooting off the Stickhandling: Combine stickhandling with shooting by maneuvering around cones before taking a shot on goal. This drill simulates real-game situations where players need to control the puck before shooting.

Conclusion

Puck control is a vital skill that every hockey player, regardless of position, should work to master. It impacts every aspect of the game, from maintaining possession and creating scoring chances to defending and transitioning the puck. It takes consistent practice, focused drills and a dedication to improving your stickhandling, puck protection, and passing. These can help you enhance your ability to control the puck and elevate your overall performance on the ice.

Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro, improving your puck control will undoubtedly lead to greater success in the game.

Remember, consistency is key, so make these drills part of your regular practice. And for more hockey excitement, don’t forget to check out what’s happening in the NHL—especially if you’re tuning into FanDuel Sportsbook for the latest betting action on the ice.