How to hold the stick
Your top hand holds the end of the stick, with the knob just poking out. Your bottom hand goes roughly a forearm's length down the shaft. Grip with your fingers, loose enough that the stick can roll in your hands.
If your left hand is lower, you shoot left. If your right hand is lower, you shoot right. Plenty of right-handed people shoot left and the other way around. Try holding a stick both ways and pick the one that feels more natural when you move a puck.
Stickhandling
- Stand in the hockey stance with the puck in front of you, near the middle of the blade.
- Move the puck side to side about shoulder width, rolling your top wrist to turn the blade over the puck on each side so it cups it.
- Keep the movement quiet and small at first. Speed comes later.
- Glance at the puck, then look up. Feel for the puck with the blade instead of watching it.
Then try front-to-back movements, and moving the puck while gliding in a straight line. Keep it in front of you rather than off to one side.
Passing and receiving
Passing. Start with the puck near your back foot. Sweep the blade forward along the surface, transferring weight from back foot to front, and finish with the blade pointing at your target. The follow-through aims the pass. Pass to where your teammate's stick will be, not where it is now.
Receiving. Hold your blade on the surface as a target. As the puck arrives, let the blade give a little backward to soften it, like catching an egg. A stiff blade makes the puck bounce away.
Backhand passes use the same idea from the other side of the blade. They feel awkward at first, which is a good reason to practice them early.
Your first shots
Wrist shot. The puck starts near your back foot on the blade. Sweep forward, shift your weight onto your front foot, and snap your wrists as the puck reaches the front of your stance. Follow through low to keep the puck low, or higher to lift it. This is the shot to learn first because it is accurate and quick.
Backhand. The same sweeping motion from the backhand side. It is hard for goalies to read, and new players who learn it early have an edge.
Slap shot. A big wind-up and a hard strike. It looks impressive but it is less accurate and slow to release. Leave it for later, and check whether your league allows it. Some beginner and recreational groups limit slap shots for safety.
Drills you can do at home
You don't need a rink to practice stick skills. Many players work in a garage, on a patio or in a driveway, ideally early or late in the day in summer.
- Use a smooth plastic tile or a slick board, or a ball on concrete.
- Stickhandle around two or three objects set in a line.
- Pass against a wall or a rebounder and receive the return.
- Shoot at a target from both forehand and backhand. Check what is behind it first.
- Ten minutes most days beats an hour once a week.
Concrete and asphalt get far hotter than the air in direct sun, and so do dark tiles and plastic. In summer, practice in shade or after sundown, and keep water nearby. See staying cool.
Notes for roller hockey
Roller pucks are lighter and ride on small runners, so they react faster to your stick and can bounce on rough surfaces. Some players use a ball for practice or casual games. The motions are the same, and good habits carry over to ice.
Stick skills FAQ
How long should my stick be?
A common starting point: standing in skates, the top of the stick reaches somewhere between your chin and nose. Shorter sticks help puck control. See stick fitting.
Should I use tape on the blade?
Most players tape the blade for grip and feel, and tape the knob for a better hold. It is a matter of preference. Ask your program if they have rules about tape color for goalies or youth.