Praticing Dekes

[Dubbs 0]

I have a serious problem trying to take someone one-on-one. I'm a pretty speedy guy, so i never really developed any dekes, since when i was younger I was able to just skate around someone to the outside and still have enough time to get close to the middle for a decent shot or look for a pass. What techniques do you use to get around a defender and how do you practice them?

[kovyperron5727 0]

I have a serious problem trying to take someone one-on-one. I'm a pretty speedy guy, so i never really developed any dekes, since when i was younger I was able to just skate around someone to the outside and still have enough time to get close to the middle for a decent shot or look for a pass. What techniques do you use to get around a defender and how do you practice them?

I had the same problem, but after a lot of work I can either dangle or burn them wide. It's awesome.

Anyway, what I did is buy a few of those Swedish stickhandling balls(I can send you a link where to buy them if needed) and then just do different drills in my garage. They are unique b/c the mimic feel of the puck on your blade.

You can get a chair and use it as a dman, by coming in and sliding the ball through the legs of it and quickly going around it. This helps build quick hands and get you used to undressing the D.

You can also just go around in your garage or basement and stickhandle around different objects you see. To warm up I go around and stickhandle through whatever I see in my garage, be it things laying around or even leaves on the ground.

Next you can do the triangle drill to build quick hands, feel of the puck and periphreal vision.

Also do the Kovalev drill and dump a bunch of pucks on the ground and stickhandle around each one

Good luck and let me know how you like these

[djinferno 2]

if you really have speed, work on controling the puck, most people slow down while deking and thats the issue...

try taking the middle and cutting the guy cross body before you get to him, if you are fast he wont be able to touch it...

hit guys at a angle and force them to move laterally...

Dangle moves dont really work on adults...

[kovyperron5727 0]

if you really have speed, work on controling the puck, most people slow down while deking and thats the issue...

Good point, once you get really comfortable controlling the puck on basic drills execute the same drills but at full speed

[Dubbs 0]

yea i'm pretty quick, but i skate similar to gomez, kinda ducked down, which i think is part of the problem. I like the chair idea, but I think maybe I keep the puck too far out in front when I'm sprinting down the wing, making it difficult to get in close enough to a defender to make them react but have enough room to move the puck. I got that Kwik Hands stick handling set a while back, I have to put some more work in on that to improve my hands too.

[kovyperron5727 0]

yea i'm pretty quick, but i skate similar to gomez, kinda ducked down, which i think is part of the problem. I like the chair idea, but I think maybe I keep the puck too far out in front when I'm sprinting down the wing, making it difficult to get in close enough to a defender to make them react but have enough room to move the puck. I got that Kwik Hands stick handling set a while back, I have to put some more work in on that to improve my hands too.

How tall is your stick? I sort of skate that way too.

[Ahriman 1]

Duck your head to the right, THEN go left. If you can't beat them on pure speed, you have to make them chose a direction before you can go in the different one.

[kovyperron5727 0]

Dangle moves dont really work on adults...

They can work on anybody if your good at them

[chk hrd 164]

The higher level you play the less dekes and toe drags work. If you are one on one with a D who is going backwards check his skating. Some D like to do cross overs going backwards, if you have one doing that, time a move opposite his cross overs to try to get his legs tangled up. If the D men is C cutting, go in a little slower and then push the puck past him with a burst of speed. This works good if you can use the board to bounce one off of.

Not everyone has good enough hands to deke. Use your strengths that you do have. If you have speed, try to get by them without the extra move. If you have strength on your skates, power through. Be carefulwith trying to be fancy, I've seen alot of guys get taken apart because they had thier head down trying to deke someone.

[Dubbs 0]

stick is cut down to about a 57 maybe 56.

I usually move to the outside, whether it's just carry it to the side boards or throw it off the boards move inside and then go get it. My problem is that doesn't leave me in good position for a shot, side boards looking back to the middle for some help, or circling around the net looking for trailers. Do head fakes really work that well?

[vek 0]

Do head fakes really work that well?

Not really, a good defenceman one on one is tracking your chest, not your head or the puck. You have to get the defenceman moving laterally, and then you can quickly change the angle.

One thing that has helped me (and I'm by no means a good player, so take all my points with a grain of salt), is to cut back to the defenceman's forehand side, because most folks don't pivot as well on their non-dominant leg -which can give you a split second more to beat him to the outside and back in again.

[BlackIce 1]

The higher level you play the less dekes and toe drags work. If you are one on one with a D who is going backwards check his skating. Some D like to do cross overs going backwards, if you have one doing that, time a move opposite his cross overs to try to get his legs tangled up. If the D men is C cutting, go in a little slower and then push the puck past him with a burst of speed. This works good if you can use the board to bounce one off of.

Not everyone has good enough hands to deke. Use your strengths that you do have. If you have speed, try to get by them without the extra move. If you have strength on your skates, power through. Be carefulwith trying to be fancy, I've seen alot of guys get taken apart because they had thier head down trying to deke someone.

+1 I am slowly realizing that maybe I need to tailor my offensive game on my strengths rather than trying to build new skills at age 40. I too am struggling with the one on one and only really blow by people or use the d-man as a screen and shoot. This is a great thread. I would agree that the higher level that you play the fancy dangles work less as even in a non-contact league a skilled d-man will know how to watch your body rather than the puck and and skillfully ride you off the puck.

[djinferno 2]

honestly, any deke that works is a product of speed, like i said before most people slow down to deke, if you make a move, you have to get past the guy, if you are still at his level, he can swat the puck away, notice most nhl players blow past guys without even deking

[RiSeOnFiRe 0]

honestly, any deke that works is a product of speed, like i said before most people slow down to deke, if you make a move, you have to get past the guy, if you are still at his level, he can swat the puck away, notice most nhl players blow past guys without even deking

+1

You can do all you like with the puck. Move it this way and that. Bottom line is im staring at your hips/chest. The fancy dangles are useless unless you can shoot the puck wicked fast or somehow burn past the Dman. If speed is your best asset, work on a quicker release.

[The Dangler 0]

I devolped the same problem as you. I would break to the outside often in bantam and peewee and either force my way in or skate around the d and once i got to midget especially I noticed d men would step up and go for the poke check and stuff and I had to change the way I was doing it. I always practiced my stick handling, my moves and considered myself a well above average puck handler especially in traffic but a mistake I was commonly making was letting the defenseman make the first move on me which by that time was usually too late. What I tend to do now a lot is skate in with speed and try and anticipate the defenders move or even cheat a little and make him move to where i want to and step around him. A move i use a lot now is skating in say im going down the left wing i start heading towards center and then cut like almost a windmill to the other side (my left) and go up the boards, that way on my way in i have a clear shot. Another move i like to do is the toe drag getting close to the defender putting the puck behind me bringing it in and around the defender. Just keep your eye on the defenders wrists and try and watch what direction hes heading. If he goes to throw a hit or reaches out to throw a poke check and your watching him, your going to know and if you react in time your going to be able to step to the inside or often outside. Dont be one of those guys who always looks for the inside as if you have speed making an outside fake cant always hurt. I just try and find a good shooting position and let my shot take the rest although sometimes i do love to come in and undress the d, especially if theres only one back.

[shotty 7]

Do head fakes really work that well?

i think those stopped working in pee-wee.

even my mom used to yell "watch his chest!" and she calls my gear an "outfit"

[tonguesOUT4life 17]

when going at a defence man one on one keep your feet moving and control the puck to the rythem of your skating force them to try poke checkes and once the stick comes out dangle the puck underneath their stick he will try to take your body thats when you let the puck slide and get away from him and not let him touch you. works for me at full speed. i love speeding through 2 defencemen skating backwards.. the best part is when they decide to close up on you but they end up hitting eachother.

[The Stranger 0]

I have a serious problem trying to take someone one-on-one. I'm a pretty speedy guy, so i never really developed any dekes, since when i was younger I was able to just skate around someone to the outside and still have enough time to get close to the middle for a decent shot or look for a pass. What techniques do you use to get around a defender and how do you practice them?

I had the same problem, but after a lot of work I can either dangle or burn them wide. It's awesome.

Anyway, what I did is buy a few of those Swedish stickhandling balls(I can send you a link where to buy them if needed) and then just do different drills in my garage. They are unique b/c the mimic feel of the puck on your blade.

You can get a chair and use it as a dman, by coming in and sliding the ball through the legs of it and quickly going around it. This helps build quick hands and get you used to undressing the D.

You can also just go around in your garage or basement and stickhandle around different objects you see. To warm up I go around and stickhandle through whatever I see in my garage, be it things laying around or even leaves on the ground.

Next you can do the triangle drill to build quick hands, feel of the puck and periphreal vision.

Also do the Kovalev drill and dump a bunch of pucks on the ground and stickhandle around each one

Good luck and let me know how you like these

You can get the same thing at craft stores for a heck of a lot cheaper.

[fawn111 0]

Use the initiative.......

The one advantage you have over the D is that you know where you are going and they do not.

Do not be passive, use whatever move your going to use, commit to it and accelerate through the move. Your fastest strides should be the ones that get you PAST the D, not before.

[GSH13 0]

If you have intense speed use it. Especially on a one-on-one an experienced defenseman you're more likely to be successful by using quick deceptive moves to throw off the D instead of big dangles. Don't get me wrong, crafty stickhandling definitely has its place, but a head or body fake then wheeling one way or the other is always a solid choice.

Try working on varying your speed too. That can really throw off defenders as well.

Try moving your feet a lot when you practice your dekes and work on the lateral movement of the puck. Being able to control the puck away from your body while moving full speed in an invaluable skill.

[lotus 2]

I kind of make it up as I go if there is no other option than try to beat the guy. It just kind of happens for me if I need to beat someone. By happens I mean try something, not beating the D man :P. Any time I have practiced a move, I end up trying it in a game and getting my ass handed to me. Any time I've really beat someone it has been a split second decision with something I just do intuitively.

That said, I do occasionally practice quickly moving the puck to my backhand, and I will practice moves to use on a goalie. But it tends to be one move followed by shot.

Right now my biggest focus is practicing not getting another concussion.

[Leafsrule16 5]

Gsh, well said. I would always go for flashy windmills or backhand toe drags, between the legs or off the boards, it worked for awhile until teams started noticing and having a man on me watching, after that no luck at all. Coudlnt get a break to save my life until i stopped showing off and tried to make use of my skating vs my stick handling. Another thing is dont be afraid to shoot it, i always felt like i had to a perfect pretty deke before i could shoot and i wasnt scoring that much, once i started firing it my goal total doubled. You dont need to come in with a back hand toe drag to the outside and put it between your legs every single time. Substance over style.

[Jarick 5]

One thing I noticed is a lot of the lower level players will hold on to the puck too long before shooting. They will skate with the puck to their side or just behind them so there's pretty much no chance of deking, and all that does is allow the goalie and the defenseman more time to set up.

I try to get the puck into the zone, find a shooting lane, take a look, and fire the shot all in under a second. Any more time than that and the goalie/defense/etc will likely be able to shut it down. Exceptions being when the goalie is way out and I have no shot and have to deke or set up a pass.

Usually I like to work on stickhandling in warmups, just getting a feel for the puck. If you work on stickhandling with a hockey ball away from the rink, that helps. In warmups, try stickhandling through some pucks while moving and especially working on grabbing loose pucks that aren't in perfect position. As much fun as it is to pull a nasty toe drag around someone, it's way more common to lose the puck in their feet or need to pull a puck out from a crowd. So if you practice grabbing loose pucks in all situations, it will come in handy.

[dw91 0]

I'm not here to pimp Turcotte Stickhandling videos, but if you have the cash, I think they are very good. Helped me develop an exceptional set of hands and also decision making on when to deke, and how to get the defenseman to bite on your fakes. Just an all around good resource if you are willing to put in the time it takes to develop your dekes.

[aflaeomor 0]

The best thing to do is just practice. Preferably an unfinished basement where the puck slides really nice, just start toe dragging and dribbling through chair legs as much as possible.

For toe drags I do a couple of things (I too am trying to get better offensively):

1) Just set up a spare stick so it's as if a defenseman is holding it. Then stand so the blade is maybe 5 or 6 inches in front of your feet and practice toe dragging a v from one extreme of your reach to the other (backhand toe drag on one side, forehand on the other).

2) Draw L patterns next to you. I alternate by doing longer, bigger L's and shorter, quicker ones.

3) Draw the L but then push out behind you and pull it through your legs, then catch it one your backhand, backhand toe drag back to yourself, then pull it across back to the starting position.

4) Dribble in front of you, then fake like you're going to throw a pass out (to your right if you're a right-handed shot, or vice-versa), then pull it back and then back again to yourself, drawing a "V" where the point is somewhere behind you and to your side. The puck should end up out in front of you.

For regular dribbling, I don't get to do much. I have a smarthockey ball but it's really loud. When I do get the house to myself, I just take a chair out and move it through and around the legs. I also liked trying to send the ball through the legs one way, then last second redirect it, without touching any of the legs, out another way. I'm pretty pissed that I'm having such a hard time finding a place to practice it as I feel that this is somewhat more important to practice than toe-dragging.

I've also been practicing catching the puck on my blade after throwing it up, to improve pass reception, but it's damn near impossible.

Once it comes time to use this in a game, presuming you've practiced enough, it should just fallen in place. I started this stuff late last season and was able to pull one nice toe drag and one really nice one. I didn't have to think about it either time, it was just a reaction (the just nice one was on a 1-v-1 against a better player and he even came over and told me I had fooled him lol).

Lastly, don't let the guys in here saying this stuff doesn't work or that's it useless yada yada, get you down... don't worry about them. Any player who plays well can do this kind of stuff. Whether they choose to use it or not is a different story, but absolutely every player in high-level hockey is an amazing stickhandler. If you want to be a better player, it's something to work on, even if you rarely get to use it.