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…
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.
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.
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.
Better puck support is one of the most important team habits young hockey players can learn, yet it is often one of the most misunderstood. Many young players focus almost entirely on the puck carrier, thinking the job is done once someone has control of the puck. In reality, hockey is a game of constant movement, spacing, and decision-making. Strong puck support gives teammates options, reduces turnovers, and helps young players feel more confident when they have the puck on their stick.
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.
Handling the puck in heavy traffic is one of the toughest skills a hockey player can develop, and it’s also one of the most important. The modern game moves faster than ever, and players are expected to make quick decisions while surrounded by opponents, sticks, and constant pressure. In every zone — whether along the boards, in front of the net, or through the neutral zone — traffic is part of hockey, and learning how to stay calm, protect the puck, and execute under that pressure can completely change a player’s effectiveness…
In hockey, few places on the ice are as dangerous — or as rewarding — as the low slot. It’s the area directly in front of the net, where goals are most often scored and where defenders fight the hardest to protect their territory. Mastering how to attack from this zone is one of the surest ways to elevate offensive play, and understanding the strategies that make it work can help any player or coach turn scoring opportunities into consistent results…
While the game looks the same on the surface no matter where it’s played — skaters, sticks, pucks, goals — the way it is taught, played, and celebrated can vary a lot depending on where the players come from…
Off-puck positioning starts with awareness. Too many young players get caught staring at the puck, following it around like it has a magnet attached. That habit leaves you out of position and easy to defend. Instead, the best players are constantly scanning the ice…