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…
Most players try to get better at everything all at once, and thatâs exactly why so many of them never break through. In this episode, we look at the power of developing one worldâclass skill — the kind of ability that changes how coaches see you, how teammates rely on you, and how opponents react to you.
REALITY: Itâs about controlling the puck with your body, not your wrists.
Over the past few days, weâve been working hard behind the scenes at CoachChic.com, and I want to take a moment to walk you through whatâs new, why we made these changes, and how theyâll help you get even more out of your hockey development journey. Whether youâre 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.
REALITY: Edges are the foundation of speed. EXPLANATION: Without edge control, speed becomes sloppy, unsafe, and impossible to build on.
The truth about shoulder checking in hockey is that most young players think theyâre doing it right simply because they make contact, but real shoulderâtoâbody checking is a technical skill built on timing, posture, and controlled force. A proper shoulder check isnât about throwing your weight around or trying to âblow someone up.â Itâs about using your shoulder and upper body to legally bump a puckâcarrying opponent and separate him from the puck without losing your own balance or taking yourself out of the play.
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”!
âREALITY: Edgework is simply the ability to control your edges under pressure. EXPLANATION: Itâs not about cones or choreography — itâs about balance, weight transfer, and being able to move efficiently in game situations.
Follow along with Dave as he shows you how to use these bands to train your body for more strength and endurance…
Most players hear âstay lowâ 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 isnât a single height — itâs a living, changing posture.