Hometown Hockey Tips
Brought to you by OMHA & Rogers Television

Each segment focuses on skill acquisition & development and by developing these skills the player`s enjoyment of the game will be that much greater.  

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Hometown Hockey Tip #1   - ON-ICE SAFETY
Focus on the Danger Zone, approaching the puck on an angle and keeping the shoulders square to the boards for better suppport.

Hometown Hockey Tip #2   - DYNAMIC WARM-UP
Maximize you ice time and ensure you warm-up properly before hitting the ice, for both games and practices. With Joe Costa from Mind to Muscle.

Hometown Hockey Tip #3   - SKATING
Skating is the foundation of skill for hockey players. Take time to develop your stride and overall skating ability.

Hometown Hockey Tip #4   - PUCKHANDLING
Whenever you get a chance, take advantage of the opportunity to develop your puck handling skills. Remember, practice, practice, practice.

Hometown Hockey Tip #5   - PLAYING WITHOUT THE RED LINE
The removal of the redline for off-side purposes has resulted in a game recognized for its tremendous speed, emphasis on skating and team play.
Click here for drill diagram from this segment in PDF format.

Hometown Hockey Tip #6 - CIRCLE PASSING DRILLS
These drills will provide technical & tactical skill development, as well as a fun game situation drill. Do all 3 for a great warm-up!
Click here for drill diagram from this segment in PDF format.

Hometown Hockey Tip #7 - OFF-ICE SKILL DEVELOPMENT
Skill acquisition & development doesn’t just happen on the ice. Soft & quick hands can be developed off-ice as part of your off-ice training program.

Hometown Hockey Tip #8 - BALANCE, POWER & AGILITY
Coaches are challenged to find time to develop the skating skills of their players. Here are some drills that address the 3 keys to skating: Balance, Power & Agility.

Hometown Hockey Tip #9 - GOALTENDING - SET POSITION
Learning how to properly perform the Set Position stance is crucial for a Goalie in developing Strong Mobility and Saving fundamentals.

Hometown Hockey Tip #10 - SPEED WITH THE PUCK
Work on these drills to develop your ability to maintain puck control at top speed! In open ice the key is to not over handle the puck.

Hometown Hockey Tip #11 - SMALL AREA GAMES
Small Area Games are a great way to bring game situations and competition to your practices – they provide quick transition from offense to defense and focus on individual and team tactics.

Hometown Hockey Tip #12 - PUCK CONTROL DRILLS
Everyone has seen the pylon weave used at practice – we’ve also seen players sleepwalk through this drill – Wake your players up by adding variety and a challenge!

Hometown Hockey Tip #13 - CREATING PROGRESSIONS
Practices should incorporate a progression when it comes to skill development – here is a simple puck control progression from basic technical skill to individual tactic.

Hometown Hockey Tip #14 - DEVELOPING YOUR STRIDE
A long stride is the key to speed, power, and efficiency. Here’s a simple progression that can be used as a great warm-up.

Hometown Hockey Tip #15 - OVERSPEED SKATING
Overspeed skating simply means skating at a speed faster than you are accustomed to for longer than you are accustomed to.

Hometown Hockey Tip #16 - DEVELOPING DEFENSEMEN
In today’s game, defensemen need to be agile, quick and be able to handle the puck. Here we look at four key skills essential to defencemen.

Hometown Hockey Tip #17 - OFF-ICE STRIDE DEVELOPMENT
Off-ice training focusing on the three components essential to efficiency in the skating stride. 

Hometown Hockey Tip #18 - OFF-ICE GOALTENDER DEVELOPMENT
The Goaltender position has undergone great transformation, here we look at three athletic skills for goaltenders.

For more information please contact:
Ian Taylor - Director, Development Programs