X-Deviator Hockey Stickhandling Aid

Develop Stickhandling Abilities with the X-Deviator

I’ve mentioned this before, but there are a number of skills that can easily be developed off the ice. I’m a strong believer that players who don’t take advantage of off-ice training time are leaving precious skill development on the table. Stickhandling is one of the easiest skills to work on at home. XHockeyProducts has put together a great line of hockey training aids that is both fun and effective, which means players will be more motivated to work on their skills off the ice!

The X-Deviator:
The X-Deviator is a new take on hockey stickhandling aids. The biggest difference between the X-Deviator and some of the other stickhandling aids out there is that the X-Deviator is adjustable. Each joint on the X-Deviator swivels, this feature opens the door for increased creativity by allowing for an endless variety of configurations.

Size Options:
The X-Deviator is available in two sizes; Standard – 7 segments, and Mini – 3 segments. Either can be used on or off the ice. Pick the one that fits your needs and matches the space you have available.

Integration with the X-Line-up:
The X-Deviator is part of the . All of the products in the X-Line-up are designed to be used together, and can be configured to work on whatever skill you’re looking to develop. If you already have (or plan to purchase) the X-Tiles, make sure you pick up an X-Pocket to go along with your X-Deviator. The X-Pocket will allow you to hook up your X-Deviator right into your X-Tiles system.

Conclusion:
I’ve been a big fan of XHockeyProducts’ X-Line-up for a long time, and the X-Deviator didn’t disappoint! The concept is fantastic, and the product is well put-together. One minor word of advice would be to make sure to tighten the nuts that hold the segments together from time to time. They can get loose from using the X-Deviator and changing configurations. If the nut falls off, the segments come apart. Not a huge deal, but just something to watch out for. All in all, another great product from XHockeyProducts!

Technorati Tags: 7 Segments, Aids, Believer, Conclusion, Configuration Options, Conversion, Creativity, Design Features, Design Flaws, Doors, Endless Variety, First Impressions, Full Speed, Hockey Training, Integration, Long Time, Minor Word, Nuts, Puck, Pucks, Rebounder, Rebounders, Rebounds, Screws, Size Options, Skill Development, Spikes, That Fits Your Needs, Tiles, Training Aids, Word Of Advice

X-Deviator Hockey Stickhandling Aid

Develop Stickhandling Abilities with the X-Deviator

I’ve mentioned this before, but there are a number of skills that can easily be developed off the ice. I’m a strong believer that players who don’t take advantage of off-ice training time are leaving precious skill development on the table. Stickhandling is one of the easiest skills to work on at home. XHockeyProducts has put together a great line of hockey training aids that is both fun and effective, which means players will be more motivated to work on their skills off the ice!

The X-Deviator:
The X-Deviator is a new take on hockey stickhandling aids. The biggest difference between the X-Deviator and some of the other stickhandling aids out there is that the X-Deviator is adjustable. Each joint on the X-Deviator swivels, this feature opens the door for increased creativity by allowing for an endless variety of configurations.

Size Options:
The X-Deviator is available in two sizes; Standard – 7 segments, and Mini – 3 segments. Either can be used on or off the ice. Pick the one that fits your needs and matches the space you have available.

Integration with the X-Line-up:
The X-Deviator is part of the X-Line-up. All of the products in the X-Line-up are designed to be used together, and can be configured to work on whatever skill you’re looking to develop. If you already have (or plan to purchase) the X-Tiles, make sure you pick up an X-Pocket to go along with your X-Deviator. The X-Pocket will allow you to hook up your X-Deviator right into your X-Tiles system.

Conclusion:
I’ve been a big fan of XHockeyProducts’ X-Line-up for a long time, and the X-Deviator didn’t disappoint! The concept is fantastic, and the product is well put-together. One minor word of advice would be to make sure to tighten the nuts that hold the segments together from time to time. They can get loose from using the X-Deviator and changing configurations. If the nut falls off, the segments come apart. Not a huge deal, but just something to watch out for. All in all, another great product from XHockeyProducts!

Technorati Tags: 7 Segments, Aids, Believer, Conclusion, Configuration Options, Conversion, Creativity, Design Features, Design Flaws, Doors, Endless Variety, First Impressions, Full Speed, Hockey Training, Integration, Long Time, Minor Word, Nuts, Puck, Pucks, Rebounder, Rebounders, Rebounds, Screws, Size Options, Skill Development, Spikes, That Fits Your Needs, Tiles, Training Aids, Word Of Advice

Drawing Up A Drill

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Drawing Up A Drill

Views: 7 | Replies: 1

How to take a Snapshot in Hockey

As a hockey player there are two shots that you should practice ALL the time until you are a master of both, the wrist shot and the snapshot. The wrist shot will provide you with a very powerful and accurate shot, while the snapshot will give you an accurate shot with a very quick release. The snapshot is the best shot to use while in close to the net because you don’t want to give the goalie any time to set up, or any indication that you are about to shoot. The trick to a good snapshot is not giving any clues that you are about to shoot, getting the shot off in a fraction of a second, and being accurate. In the video below I teach you how to take a snapshot while on the ice.

Snapshot Video

What we cover in this video

Hand location – Where you have your hands is important for generating power on your shot. For the snapshot I like to have my bottom hand a bit lower than with the wrist shot, and a bit high than with the slapshot; I usually put my bottom hand close to the middle of the shaft. The reason I like it close to the middle of the shaft is because I want to be able to flex the shaft as much as I can to get extra power from the stick.

Body position – With the wrist shot your shoulder should be facing the net, but with the snapshot the chest should be facing the net. The snapshot is mainly used while you are skating towards the net and you are in close. You won’t have time to set-up for a wrist shot so you will need to be able to snap the shot off right away.

Puck position – You want to have the puck to the side of your body (where it would be if you are stickhandling with the puck on your shooting side). We need the puck here so you can shoot it whenever you want

Weight transfer – With a wrist shot you are transferring the weight to the leg furthest from the blade of your stick, while pulling the puck across your body, however the snapshot is different. For the snapshot you are transferring your weight to the leg CLOSEST to the blade of the stick (see T.J Oshie picture above). If you are shooting in stride you will push off with the leg furthest from your stick, lean over and transfer the weight onto your other leg and then SNAP.

Key to a good snap shot – For this type of shot you want to get the puck off as fast as possible. All you want to do is get your hands out in front of your body while still cupping the puck, and then really pulling back with your top hand and pushing forwards with your bottom hand. I show this in the video but I found a picture of T.J Oshie that really shows how the snapshot should look (shown above) and a picture of Ovechkin (shown below)

Below is an example of Ovechkin taking a snapshot, notice the weight transfer, puck location, and hand location as explained above.

You need to get both hands out in front of your body so you can really pull back with the top hand and push with the bottom.

NHL Example – Cammalleri slow motion snapshot

How to master the snapshot

• Practice a quick release, the faster you can get the puck on the net the better. This will come in handy when you get  rebound, or catch a goalie out of position and only have a second to shoot before the goalie is in position to stop you.
• Shoot 100 pucks a day (practicing the technique described in the video). Every day your muscles will learn a little bit more and get faster and stronger. You need to train your muscles and the only way to train them is with repetition
• Remember to get those hands out in front of your, and transfer the weight.
• When practicing the shot, work on your accuracy as well, you need to be able to pick corners if you want to score with the snapshot.

Another Picture for the Lefties

See how Recchi gets his weight over the leg closest to the blade of the stick and his hands out in front. Thanks to Ariel B. Enhaynes for the picture!

Thanks for reading! If you have any questions you can ask in the comments below and I will answer them soon. We also have an article on how to shoot while skating that covers the slapshot and snapshot and provides a few tips to getting a better shot while moving. Another good article is the two types of shots in hockey which provides more detail on why the shots are different and when to use each one.

IHD October Newsletter 2012

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Fueling your body

Nutrition is a huge pare of any athletes daily life.  Most players drink fluids during the game, but how many are worrying about pre-game and post-game foods and liquids to get their body ready and to help it heal?

Thanks to Peter Dale over at Farm Tough Company who shared out this tip card to help you and your players with the process.    Below are the tips from the card.

General Tips
Don’t eat fried foods (french fries, chips, chicken fingers, fried fish, etc.)
Don’t drink alcohol, soda, or other drinks filled with sugar
DO chew your food until it is a liquid; this will make digestion much easier
DO drink 1-2 glasses of water upon waking and ½ cup every 30 min during the day
DO eat something within 1 hour of waking that contains protein
DO eat good meals with lots of veggies/salad, flesh protein (fish, chicken, turkey best),
whole grains, good fats (avocado, olive oil, coconut oil, nuts & seeds); this will help your
body repair during the day and overnight
DO get to bed – your body needs sleep to recover; give it as much as possible

Pre-Game
Food Intake: Light snack 45-90 min before game. It’s ok to be a little hungry, bad to be full.
Good Snacks: 1-2 pieces of fruit, 1 cup almond/soy milk with 1 Tbsp protein powder,
applesauce with 1 Tbsp protein powder, ½ Farm Tough Energy Bar
Fluid Intake: Drink 2-4 oz of Farm Tough Energy Drink 15-20 minutes prior to game
Physical Preparation: Dynamic movement warm-up and foam roll

During Game
Take deep breaths on the bench between shifts; Repeat Farm Tough power thoughts:
I am…Strong, Fit, Powerful, Fast, Focused, Relaxed, Smart, Confident, Energized
– Drink water between every shift: 2-3 gulps
– Every 3rd shift drink 2-3 gulps of Farm Tough Energy Drink
If you are going into OT or in a close game, drink Farm Tough Energy Drink every shift

Post-Game
Fluid Intake: In locker room, drink ½-1 quart Farm Tough Energy Drink
Food Intake: Within 15-45 minutes after game, eat/drink one of the following:
– Smoothie with 1-2 cups fruit, 1 scoop protein powder, 1 scoop Farm Tough Super
Food and mix with your liquid of choice
– Mix 1 cup liquid (almond milk, juice or water), 1 scoop protein powder, 1 scoop
Farm Tough Super Food and have a banana or a piece of fruit
– Farm Tough Energy Bar or Original Farm Tough Protein Bar
– 1 packet instant oatmeal, ¼ cup soy/almond milk, 1 Tbsp protein powder
If you have at least 3 hrs before your next game, eat a light meal 1-2 hrs after game
Physical Recovery: Roll out – use a foam roller to help speed recovery

Fueling your body

Nutrition is a huge pare of any athletes daily life.  Most players drink fluids during the game, but how many are
worrying about pre-game and post-game foods and liquids to get their
body ready and to help it heal?

Thanks to Peter Dale over at Farm Tough Company who shared out this tip card to help you and your players with the process.    Below are the tips from the card.

General Tips
Don’t eat fried foods (french fries, chips, chicken fingers, fried fish, etc.)
Don’t drink alcohol, soda, or other drinks filled with sugar
DO chew your food until it is a liquid; this will make digestion much easier
DO drink 1-2 glasses of water upon waking and ½ cup every 30 min during the day
DO eat something within 1 hour of waking that contains protein
DO eat good meals with lots of veggies/salad, flesh protein (fish, chicken, turkey best),
whole grains, good fats (avocado, olive oil, coconut oil, nuts & seeds); this will help your
body repair during the day and overnight
DO get to bed – your body needs sleep to recover; give it as much as possible

Pre-Game
Food Intake: Light snack 45-90 min before game. It’s ok to be a little hungry, bad to be full.
Good Snacks: 1-2 pieces of fruit, 1 cup almond/soy milk with 1 Tbsp protein powder,
applesauce with 1 Tbsp protein powder, ½ Farm Tough Energy Bar
Fluid Intake: Drink 2-4 oz of Farm Tough Energy Drink 15-20 minutes prior to game
Physical Preparation: Dynamic movement warm-up and foam roll

During Game
Take deep breaths on the bench between shifts; Repeat Farm Tough power thoughts:
I am…Strong, Fit, Powerful, Fast, Focused, Relaxed, Smart, Confident, Energized
– Drink water between every shift: 2-3 gulps
– Every 3rd shift drink 2-3 gulps of Farm Tough Energy Drink
If you are going into OT or in a close game, drink Farm Tough Energy Drink every shift

Post-Game
Fluid Intake: In locker room, drink ½-1 quart Farm Tough Energy Drink
Food Intake: Within 15-45 minutes after game, eat/drink one of the following:
– Smoothie with 1-2 cups fruit, 1 scoop protein powder, 1 scoop Farm Tough Super
Food and mix with your liquid of choice
– Mix 1 cup liquid (almond milk, juice or water), 1 scoop protein powder, 1 scoop
Farm Tough Super Food and have a banana or a piece of fruit
– Farm Tough Energy Bar or Original Farm Tough Protein Bar
– 1 packet instant oatmeal, ¼ cup soy/almond milk, 1 Tbsp protein powder
If you have at least 3 hrs before your next game, eat a light meal 1-2 hrs after game
Physical Recovery: Roll out – use a foam roller to help speed recovery

3 Player Passing Drill

I don’t remember where I got this drill but I really like it and so do my players. You can run it with any player in each line or have the X2 player be the defensemen. Basically this drill is working on outlet and headman passing. Give it a try.

3 Player Timing Passing Drill

I will add this drill to the passing section of the site.

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How to Perform Backwards Crossovers – Step by Step Instruction

We asked the fans of our hockey page on Facebook what skating skill they needed the most help with and most of them asked for help with the backwards crossovers. The backwards crossover can be a tricky skill to learn, especially when someone tries to explain it to you, or even show you everything all at once. There is a lot going on so in the video below we show you everything step-by-step so you can better understand what you should be doing.

Backwards Crossover Video

What we cover in the backwards crossovers video

First learn the basics – Before you start attempting to crossover while skating backwards you first need to learn a few of the “building blocks”. The two skills that you should be comfortable with are crossovers while standing still, and backwards c-cuts. If you can’t do these keep on working on them, once you feel comfortable with both of the above skills then you can try the more advanced backwards crossover.

To practice crossovers just stand still and practice moving laterally and putting one foot over the other. This will help you feel comfortable shifting your weight from your inside edge to your outside edge, and getting one leg underneath your body while the other crosses over. You need to be comfortable on your edges and shifting your weight so work on this a lot remember to bend your knees while practicing!

To practice the backwards c-cuts just get in your hockey stance and have your weight centered over your blades evenly. Put your stick on the ice for a bit of extra balance. Now just push out with your heel and with the blade of your skate still on the ice pull your foot back to the gliding position, now repeat with the other foot. We cover all of this in the Backwards crossovers video embedded above and our how to skate backwards video

After you know the basics try using both – Now that you are comfortable crossing over while standing still and doing backwards c-cuts you can try both at the same time. Take a few backwards strides and glide for a few seconds to get your balance, now try crossing over just like you did when you were standing still. Remember to bend your knees and don’t lean too far forwards or backwards. After getting comfortable crossing over backwards practice using the same motion to get a bit of speed. Instead of just crossing over, try pushing off while crossing over to gain speed.

Now try going around the circles – If you are comfortable with the backwards crossovers you can try doing them over and over while going around a circle. Get on any of the circles and follow the steps below All steps below are shown in the video above.

1. First only focus on the inside leg (leg closest to the circle) and let the outside leg glide. Do a few backwards c-cuts first to get comfortable and then try to over-extend the backwards c-cut and bring your inside leg right under your body. Your inside leg will start on it’s inside edge, you will pull it under your body and transfer to your outside edge, and then get a final push by fully extending your leg and driving off with the toe. Repeat this over and over, now move on to step 2
2. Now try to focus on your outside leg. Do a few backwards c-cuts with only the outside leg, once you get comfortable cross the outside leg over the inside leg. By crossing over with your outside leg you will be forced to bring the inside leg under just like you were practicing in step 1
3. Now work on getting your legs working together. While practicing work on extending your reach as much as you can, this way you will be very comfortable on your edges. You should also try to get a push from both legs to gain more speed. Remember to keep your balance centered, don’t lean too far forwards or backwards.
4. Remember to also practice the quick crossovers (shown in the video). You will use these the most while transitioning from forwards to backwards and backwards to forwards.

When you use the backwards crossovers

Defensemen will use these a lot when they are trying to pace a forward who has the puck. When the forward moves across the ice trying to beat the defencemen a few good crossovers will keep the skating speed up and also help close the gap a bit. Good lateral movement is vital for defensemen.

Forwards will use these quite a bit when transitioning from forwards to backwards or backwards to forwards. Using a few quick backwards crossovers will help you pick up (or maintain) speed while changing directions.

I hope these tips will help you improve your skating. You can share this article with the buttons below, and you can also join us on Twitter, Facebook and Youtube!