Improve your Hockey Skills

Obviously, practice and more practice is the key to improving your hockey skills, and it is essential to perform drills that teach you the basics before you start to engage in any proper games.

Drills are when you practice certain techniques, as described above, so that you are well equipped to use them within a game. For example, drills can include practising hitting, dribbling, flicking or pushing the ball, practising penalty shots and shooting at the goal. Such practices are also essential for goalkeepers. Drills can be performed between just two players or amongst the whole team, so the amount of people available will not limit your practice. Even if you have mastered how to perform a certain technique, drilling should still be performed to increase your accuracy and speed when performing the move.

Coaching is also needed to make sure that you are using the techniques in the best way possible.

Hockey Camps Intense hockey camps are run to give players the opportunity to dramatically improve their skill and technique in a short period of time. As well as “on the field” tuition, many of these camps include a theoretical element so that you are taught the rules and particular tactics used within a game of hockey. The camps usually run for a week, and cater to all types of ability.

Top 10 Hockey Tips

• Learn from others - Get advice from other hockey players, including other teammates and your coach.

• Learn from what works - If you try a particular move in a game, or if a certain drill works, then learn from this and use it in the future.

• Learn from your mistakes - Similarly, if a move or drill does not work, think again before using it again in a game.

• Practice your drills - Drills are an essential part of hockey practice, and will greatly improve your performance in a game. Do not think that just because you have learnt a particularly technique that you do not need to continue practicing it in drills.

• Play proper hockey - Make sure you have an understanding of the rules of hockey so you do not cause unnecessary fouls and can use the rules to your full advantage.

• Warm-up before a game - This will mean that you are better equipped to play the full game and will not get tired during the game, preventing any drop in performance.

• Stretch - As with all exercise, make sure you stretch after training, practicing or playing so that you are flexible. This will increase your performance and technique.

• Improve your response time - Hockey is a game of speed. The best players are the one who are able to play the game accurately at a fast speed.

• Use properly fitting equipment - If your equipment does not fit properly, it can slow you down on the field, or may even cause you injury.
• Improve your strength - Being able to hit the ball with strength means that you can make longer shots.