General Skills Advice
How to Teach Young Players to ‘See the Ice’ Like Pros Do
When coaches talk about players who “see the ice,” they are usually describing someone who seems calm, aware, and one step ahead of everyone else. These players know where teammates and opponents are before the puck ever reaches them. To many young players, this skill looks like magic or natural talent, but it is not…
Read MoreThe Most Common Warm‑Up Mistakes Hockey Players Make
Warm-ups are not just about breaking a sweat. They are meant to prepare the body, the hands, and the brain to perform right away, and many players unknowingly make mistakes that hurt their early shifts.
Read MoreHow to Build Hockey IQ at Home in 10 Minutes a Day
Hockey IQ is the ability to read situations, anticipate what will happen next, and make good decisions under pressure. For high school players, this skill often separates those who look calm and confident from those who feel rushed, even if their physical skills are similar. The good news is that hockey IQ can be trained at home in as little as ten minutes a day.
Read MoreHelp Us Teach the Game
The truth is, teaching the game works best when it becomes a team effort. Every time someone shares a real experience, a smart observation, or a lesson learned from a practice, game, or season, it helps someone else grow. That’s why your voice matters here, and why your comments under each post can help us teach the game in ways no single coach ever could.
Read MoreHow to Train Hockey Balance the Right Way — Without Fancy Equipment
Balance is one of the most important skills in hockey, yet it is often misunderstood and overcomplicated. Many players believe they need expensive training tools or fancy equipment to improve their balance, but the truth is that great hockey balance is built through simple, consistent habits. Balance in hockey is not about standing still on one foot. It is about staying strong, controlled, and confident while skating, turning, battling, and reacting at game speed.
Read MoreThe Hidden Mechanics Behind Explosive First Strides
While many players focus on top speed, the truth is that explosive first strides matter far more than how fast someone can skate once they are already moving. The ability to accelerate quickly from a near standstill is a hidden skill that separates confident, effective players from those who always feel a step behind.
Read MoreCoach Chic’s Hockey Podcast 70
Don’t forget to grab all you can from this awesome site, and make this coming month one to truly remember…
Read MoreReading Pressure at the Blue Line
The blue line is where offense and defense collide, and decisions made in this small area can quickly lead to scoring chances or costly turnovers. Players who learn to recognize pressure early gain more time, make smarter plays, and stay confident with the puck. Understanding how to read pressure helps players at every position, especially defensemen and forwards entering the offensive zone.
Read MoreBuilding Smarter Breakout Habits
When breakouts are rushed, sloppy, or unorganized, teams spend too much time defending and chasing the puck. When breakouts are smart and consistent, players gain confidence, create offense, and control the pace of the game.
Read MoreBetter Fuel for Better Skating
Better fuel leads to better skating, yet many hockey players never think about what they eat or drink until they feel tired halfway through a game. Skating is one of the most demanding skills in hockey because it requires speed, power, balance, and quick recovery between shifts. When the body does not have the right fuel, even strong skaters can look slow and sloppy. Learning how nutrition affects skating helps players stay fast, focused, and confident from the first shift to the last.
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