Many young players think angling means skating hard at an opponent and trying to deliver a big hit. Others believe it is simply about chasing the puck carrier as fast as possible. In reality, proper angling in hockey is about control, positioning, patience, and smart decision-making.
Winning puck races is one of the most underrated skills in hockey, yet it often determines who controls the game. Coaches talk about speed all the time, and players assume that the fastest skater always wins the race to the puck. The truth is very different. The hidden skill behind winning puck races is not just straight-line speed. It is anticipation, smart angles, explosive first strides, and the ability to read the play before it fully develops.
Thinking one pass ahead simply means that a player already knows their next option before the puck arrives on their stick. Instead of receiving a pass and then trying to figure out what to do, they scan the ice early, read the defensive pressure, and prepare their next move. This type of anticipation separates reactive players from intelligent, proactive players.
When the puck goes low and shots start coming from the point, things can quickly turn into chaos around the crease. Sticks are swinging, bodies are pushing, and players often forget their assignments. For young hockey players, especially at the youth and high school level, net-front battles often look like survival mode instead of structured defensive hockey.
This site has always been about teaching the game — and teaching it in a way that actually helps you, your players, or your son or daughter. And hereâs the truth I want to put front and center today:
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Stickhandling in open ice can feel comfortable, but the game becomes much harder when space disappears and pressure increases. This is where the âquiet handsâ technique becomes one of the most valuable skills a player can develop. Quiet hands refer to calm, efficient, and controlled puck handling that allows players to maintain possession even in heavy traffic.
Freezing at the offensive blue line is one of the most common problems young hockey players face, and it happens at every level of the game. A player can skate hard through the neutral zone, carry the puck with confidence, and look like they are about to create a great scoring chance, but as soon as they reach the blue line, everything slows down. They hesitate, stickhandle too much, or lose the puck to a defender. This moment can be frustrating for players, coaches, and parents because it often looks like a lack of skill, when in reality it is usually a problem with decision-making, confidence, and hockey awareness. Learning how to stay calm and make smart choices at the blue line is a huge step toward improving offensive zone entries, puck possession, and overall hockey IQ.
Building a confident breakout defenseman is one of the most important goals in hockey player development. Defensemen play a huge role in transitioning the puck from the defensive zone to the offensive zone, and a strong breakout often determines whether a team can create scoring chances or stay trapped under pressure. Many young defensemen have the skills to move the puck but struggle with confidence when forecheckers close in. Confidence is not just about personality.
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Most hockey players believe elite stickhandling is all about lightning-fast hands, fancy moves, and highlight-reel plays. Social media doesnât help, because it shows the flash but not the foundation. In reality, the biggest difference between average stickhandlers and elite ones is not speed or creativity. Itâs mastery of small, repeatable micro-skills that quietly show up on every shift. These details donât look exciting on their own, but together they separate players who panic under pressure from players who stay calm and in control.