Lfntn10 0 Report post Posted May 16, 2007 As the topic reads, whats the best hockey training tool you've invested in? Personally mine would be the smarthockey ball. To me, I just love picking up this ball and stickhandling it in my room or in the basement while im listening to music or watching TV. Sometimes ill spend an hours a day practicing with it, or just random times during the day, and it surely has changed my stickhandling ability.What was the best thing you've invested in? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
B Neal 0 Report post Posted May 16, 2007 Powerskater - It has made my stride 100x better over the past year or two Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TBLfan 25 Report post Posted May 16, 2007 smarthockey ball, hours of fun and now my hands are soft as butter. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
biff44 0 Report post Posted May 16, 2007 A case of pucks and a cheap net Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
toroytorero 0 Report post Posted May 17, 2007 quit smoking.. and/or tennis/smart hockey ball and frantic border collie Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
davezilla 0 Report post Posted May 17, 2007 I'll have to say smart hockey balls as well. My stickhandling got so much better since I got one.Another good investment I made was getting a metal goal. I destroyed 3 plastic goals before finally shelling out for a metal one. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sven 1 Report post Posted May 17, 2007 smarthockey ball, hours of fun and now my hands are soft as butter.Backed. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
B Neal 0 Report post Posted May 17, 2007 15 minutes a day for the past couple months and my hands have gotten SOO much better from a Smarthockey ball. It has great off to on ice translation also. There is usually some adjustments when you go from a golfball to a puck but the smarthockey ball doesnt have this problem. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bheidepr 0 Report post Posted May 17, 2007 Somewhat OT: but what drills do you do with the smartball? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lfntn10 0 Report post Posted May 17, 2007 Somewhat OT: but what drills do you do with the smartball? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
daca 0 Report post Posted May 17, 2007 definitely the smarthockey ball. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mac23 0 Report post Posted May 17, 2007 The cost of a smarthockey ball seems kinda pricey for a ball. Is it really worth $10? I can get tennis balls for free from tennis courts. I have a swedish wood ball (something like that), is the smarthockey ball better? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bheidepr 0 Report post Posted May 17, 2007 Somewhat OT: but what drills do you do with the smartball? Thank you!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
B Neal 0 Report post Posted May 17, 2007 I don't generally do special exercises. I just stickhandle around and work on things I see people do in the NHL, Juniors, or even at stick and puck. Lately I've been trying to get the backhand toe drag mastered. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Project824 0 Report post Posted May 17, 2007 Best training tool I ever got was a squat rack and set of olympic weights. Throw in a bench and you have all the power lifts - bench press, squat, deadlift, hang clean.The important thing when I hit 16 was to develop a physique that would let me get bigger, more explosive, win some battles and stay healthy through a 70 game junior season playing with guys 3-4 years older. Eventually dangles stop working for all but the absolute quickest and fastest, and you've got to go put on a hard hat and work the corners. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cause4alarm 7 Report post Posted May 17, 2007 Best training tool I ever got was a squat rack and set of olympic weights. Throw in a bench and you have all the power lifts - bench press, squat, deadlift, hang clean.The important thing when I hit 16 was to develop a physique that would let me get bigger, more explosive, win some battles and stay healthy through a 70 game junior season playing with guys 3-4 years older. Eventually dangles stop working for all but the absolute quickest and fastest, and you've got to go put on a hard hat and work the corners.How much did the squat rack cost you?Back on topic, I would say the smarthockey ball if I actually used it. My neighbors who live downstairs from my apartment don't like it when I practice at night. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Konig von Kuhlem 0 Report post Posted May 17, 2007 Definitely my smarthockey ball. Combined with the drills from the USA hockey site, my stickhandling has improved drastically. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
the iceman 132 Report post Posted May 17, 2007 Agility Ladder. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Monty22 835 Report post Posted May 17, 2007 Inline skates Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Clark12 0 Report post Posted May 17, 2007 A golf ballHelps with stick handling during the season and also comes in rather handy in the off-season aswell Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jarick 5 Report post Posted May 17, 2007 Smart Hockey ball for sure. I couldn't stickhandle worth a damn before it, now I'm not too bad.Recently picked up one of those plastic sheets for shooting, my slapshot is a million times better. Now I just need to work on that whole accuracy thing. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
godiogo 0 Report post Posted May 17, 2007 All this praise for the smarthockey ball has made me look into buying one. Do they last or should I buy more than one just to be safe? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sven 1 Report post Posted May 17, 2007 All this praise for the smarthockey ball has made me look into buying one. Do they last or should I buy more than one just to be safe?Try to get one without the CD, unless you are really are into the CD. I got mine without the CD from my LHS and it was cheap as hell.Smart Hockey ball for sure. I couldn't stickhandle worth a damn before it, now I'm not too bad.Recently picked up one of those plastic sheets for shooting, my slapshot is a million times better. Now I just need to work on that whole accuracy thing.How are these sheets called? And where can i get them? Probably in a homestore, but when i ask an employee where to get "big plastic sheets" he will laugh at me. Or wait a minute, arent they just Plexiglas sheets? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
peter54 0 Report post Posted May 17, 2007 All this praise for the smarthockey ball has made me look into buying one. Do they last or should I buy more than one just to be safe?I've broken two: One after 4 years and the next one after 1 day. They replaced the one that broke quickly. Overall they are pretty durable. I'd stay away from taking alot of slapshots with them though. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
godiogo 0 Report post Posted May 17, 2007 Thanks peter54. I live on the ninth floor of an apartment building, so I'll use them mostly for stickhandling practice, unless of course I go to the garage and risk nailing other peoples' cars :o Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
