Beginner question

[Artcore 0]

First off I wanna point out I was showed this site a few days ago and like it very much, a lot of useful topics going on here.

OK now onto the question, it's a kinda generic one that's probably been asked before but...

I need a lot of ways I can practice as much as possible off ice. The most I can actually practice is shoot from a stand still or stick handle, because I live nowhere near a place I can practice on ice without actually playing. Any workouts, practices, techniques, any input would be helpful. Thanks ahead.

[hockeymom 2]

There are a ton of threads here about this topic... try seaching "training", "shooting", "stickhandling", "puck handling". "off ice" and "dryland" and wade through the results.

We live in a tiny house, so my daughter takes a plexiglass sheet across the street to the schoolyard. Sometimes we drag the net over too... otherwise she marks a target with chalk on the school wall. Sometimes she shoots from her in-line skates. A smart ball really helps.

Edit: Oh, you might want to change your topic header to something more descriptive... more people will look at it and it will make it easier for future searches.

BTW: Welcome to the board!

[rob 0]

im new too. try looking on hockeycoach.com they host loads of dryland videos, also look on youtube.com search for stickhandling etc.

rob

[biff44 0]

There a number of things you can practice off-ice:

1) Stickhandle with a ball. Even a golf ball, or one of those special stickhandling balls. Stickhandle around a couple of hockey pucks on the floor. Bounce the ball low off a wall and catch it. Try to NOT look at the ball.

2) Get a case of pucks and a strong backdrop, and practice your shot! 200 shots a day is not too many. You will not be able to practice along the ground shots, unless you have access to some ice or synthetic ice, but if you got a 2 by 3 foot sheet of practice, you can practice slap, wrist, backhand, shots from weird footings, etc. An old rug hung about 4 inches off of a wall makes a great backstop, stops the puck recoil, and does not make much noise when a puck hits it.

3) You can do all sorts of weight lifitng, plyometrics, aerobics stuff so when you do get some precious ice time, you are ready to go!

4) When you are lying in bed, you can visualize yourself playing, and rehearse doing a certain move over and over again in your mind. Then when you get on the ice, your brain already "knows" what to do.

[warheart45 0]

www.hockeyshot.com

[AnthonyJTa 0]

www.hockeyshot.com

my fiancee bought me the HockeyShot leg trainer last Christmas... it's pretty cool. I was using it 4 times a week and I def. felt a little sturdier on my skates (I'm a beginner as well.... skating almost a year).

I'd recommend...

1) a balance board.... just stand on it while you're watching tv, a hockey game or something. The more free time to spend on it the better.... before you know it, you'll do easy non-weighted squats on it.. I even stickhandle a Smarthockey Ball while I'm on it. I feel it's helped the stability in my knees and ankles.

2) yep, a Smarthockey ball. I use it in the house (on hardwood, or concrete in the basement)... or at the local tennis courts (weather permitting)

3) read up on plyometrics, and core training... some key stuff.

someone here recommended to me when I first joined the board to take a video of yourself...I thought it was a great idea and did it. Great to study your stride, and then watch some more experienced guys... Later on, shoot a new vid... and it works as great positive feedback. Just have fun.... hockey is one of the most difficult sports to just "pick up and learn", but in the long run, I'm sure we'll all agree it's the most fun!

[CCC8190 0]

welcome, im new to the board too.

i think weight training and stickhandling are two very easy things you can do almost anywhere. if you are in highschool try going to the weight room. its free, and if youre dedicated can help a lot. i found stickhandling on a plastic sheet very useful as well. try different moves when stickhandling; toe drag, pulling it through your legs from the back; not neccesarily to use during games, but to just get a better feel for the puck on your stick. i also love watching youtube videos of pros. its just awesome to see the moves they pull at the highest competitive level. maybe even try a few moves yourself in practice. check out datsyuk's breakaway move on youtube, it's INCREDIBLE. but enough from me... hope this helped

[All Torhs Team 0]

We live in a tiny house, so my daughter takes a plexiglass sheet across the street to the schoolyard. Sometimes we drag the net over too... otherwise she marks a target with chalk on the school wall. Sometimes she shoots from her in-line skates. A smart ball really helps.

Wow!! I used to do that too until the threaten' me to call the police for vandalism. :lol:

But if you want to work on your stick handling and stuff just go into a garage. A smooth surface. Use a golf ball if you want to work on quick hands. You can stick handle through the legs of a chair or just mess with your dog. :D

If you want a real challenge, try a ping pong ball.

[CCC8190 0]

never thought about a ping pong ball...

[AnthonyJTa 0]

I'm telling you guys...I have the smarthockey ball and it doesn't even come close to this:

http://www.inlinewarehouse.com/descpage.html?pcode=FLY

I have the Phatpuck, as well as the Smarthockey ball. It dosen't glide that well for me. In the smooth tennis courts it's key... but it flops around on standard blacktop. Maybe because it's the weighted version?

I use both, but the ball just feels smoother.