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How to Teach Players to Read Stick Positioning (A Missing Modern Skill)
One of the most overlooked skills in modern hockey is the ability to read stick positioning. While players spend countless hours working on skating speed, shooting accuracy, and puck control, far fewer are taught how to recognize what defenders are doing with their sticks or how to use their own stick effectively. This is a key part of hockey IQ, and it often separates average players from those who consistently make smart, effective plays…
Read MoreDeveloping One World‑Class Skill — Part 1
Most players try to get better at everything all at once, and that’s exactly why so many of them never break through. In this episode, we look at the power of developing one world‑class skill — the kind of ability that changes how coaches see you, how teammates rely on you, and how opponents react to you.
Read MoreMyth #6: “Stickhandling is about fast hands.”
REALITY: It’s about controlling the puck with your body, not your wrists.
Read MoreOur New Website Updates
Over the past few days, we’ve been working hard behind the scenes at CoachChic.com, and I want to take a moment to walk you through what’s new, why we made these changes, and how they’ll help you get even more out of your hockey development journey. Whether you’re a player trying to sharpen your skills, a parent looking for reliable guidance, or a coach searching for deeper teaching tools, these updates were made with you in mind. Hockey is always evolving, and a good hockey website should evolve right along with it.
Read MoreMYTH #5: “Kids should learn speed before edges.”
REALITY: Edges are the foundation of speed. EXPLANATION: Without edge control, speed becomes sloppy, unsafe, and impossible to build on.
Read MoreThe Truth About “Shoulder Checking” — And Why Most Kids Do It Wrong
The truth about shoulder checking in hockey is that most young players think they’re doing it right simply because they make contact, but real shoulder‑to‑body checking is a technical skill built on timing, posture, and controlled force. A proper shoulder check isn’t about throwing your weight around or trying to “blow someone up.” It’s about using your shoulder and upper body to legally bump a puck‑carrying opponent and separate him from the puck without losing your own balance or taking yourself out of the play.
Read More2 Truths: Handle Them
With mental toughness always being a key to solid hockey play, we’re thrilled to once again present Shawnee Harle’s monthly insights into that area. And, in this video, she addresses an obvious concern with “Negative Self-talk”!
Read MoreMYTH #3: “Edge work means doing fancy patterns.”
”REALITY: Edgework is simply the ability to control your edges under pressure. EXPLANATION: It’s not about cones or choreography — it’s about balance, weight transfer, and being able to move efficiently in game situations.
Read MoreThe Band Man’s Hotel Ab Workout
Follow along with Dave as he shows you how to use these bands to train your body for more strength and endurance…
Read MoreMYTH #2: “You need to stay low all the time.”
Most players hear “stay low” so often that they treat it like a permanent commandment. They drop into a deep crouch, lock themselves there, and wonder why they feel slow, stiff, or stuck. The truth is, skating isn’t a single height — it’s a living, changing posture.
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