Starting out in hockey can feel overwhelming. With all the gear, techniques, and game strategies, it can be hard to know where to focus your training efforts. Whether you’re just stepping onto the ice or are looking to improve basic skills, this guide will help you build a solid foundation and get you on your way to becoming a skilled hockey player.

In this beginner’s guide to hockey training, we’ll cover the essential areas you need to focus on: skating, stickhandling, shooting, passing, and overall fitness. We’ll also include some drills and tips for maximizing your training sessions.

Let’s dive in!

1. Skating: The Foundation of Hockey

Skating is the most important skill in hockey. Without proper skating technique, it will be difficult to control the puck or stay competitive during a game. As a beginner, focusing on your skating fundamentals will give you a strong base for all other hockey skills.

Key Skating Skills to Focus On:

  • Proper Posture: Keep your knees slightly bent and your body leaning slightly forward. This posture will help you maintain balance and react quickly.

  • Stride Technique: Focus on pushing off with your entire skate, using the inside edge for speed. The longer and stronger your stride, the faster you’ll go.

  • Stopping and Starting: Practice stopping quickly with a “snowplow stop” (digging both skates into the ice). Learning to stop and start efficiently is crucial for changing directions during the game.

  • Edge Control: Practice gliding on both the inside and outside edges of your skates. This helps with sharp turns and quick maneuvers.

Drills to Try:

  • Cone Weaving: Set up cones on the ice and practice weaving through them while maintaining a low stance. This drill improves your agility and control.

  • Slalom Drills: Perform quick lateral movements in and out of markers or cones to improve edge control.

  • Sprints: Work on short sprints to develop explosive speed. Skating fast in short bursts is a key component of a good hockey player’s skating ability.

2. Stickhandling: Control the Puck

Stickhandling is the next essential skill to focus on. Being able to control the puck while skating at full speed is what separates good players from great ones.

Key Stickhandling Tips:

  • Keep the Puck Close: When learning to handle the puck, keep it close to your body and make small, controlled movements. Avoid overhandling or taking your eyes off the puck.

  • Practice Both Hands: A good hockey player uses both hands effectively. Work on handling the puck with your strong hand and your weak hand to become a more versatile player.

  • Use Soft Hands: Soft hands allow you to feel the puck and make smoother, more accurate movements. Practice gently tapping the puck on the stick to build better touch and control.

Drills to Try:

  • Figure 8 Stickhandling: Set up two cones or markers a few feet apart. Practice stickhandling in a figure-8 motion around them. This drill improves your puck control and ability to change directions quickly.

  • One-Handed Stickhandling: While skating, practice controlling the puck with one hand. This helps you develop strength and control in your off-hand and can be useful when fending off opponents.

  • Puck Taps: Stand still or skate slowly and tap the puck from side to side using small, controlled movements. Try to keep the puck close to your body while increasing the speed of your taps.

3. Passing: Teamwork and Accuracy

Passing is a fundamental skill every hockey player must master. A successful pass allows your team to maintain possession and create scoring opportunities. As a beginner, your goal is to develop accuracy, timing, and soft hands.

Key Passing Tips:

  • Focus on Accuracy: When passing, aim for your teammate’s stick or a specific area of the ice (e.g., near the boards). A precise pass makes it easier for your teammate to receive and control the puck.

  • Passing on the Move: Practice passing while you’re skating to develop fluid movement. Passing while stationary is easier, but game situations usually require passing on the move.

  • One-Touch Passing: In a game, one-touch passes are often quicker and more difficult for opponents to intercept. Practice receiving a pass and immediately redirecting it to a teammate.

Drills to Try:

  • Passing Against a Wall: Stand a few feet from a wall and pass the puck against it. Practice receiving it cleanly and passing it back with accuracy.

  • Two-Man Passing Drill: Pair up with a partner and pass the puck back and forth while skating. Focus on quick, accurate passes while on the move.

  • Target Passing: Set up cones or targets and practice passing the puck to specific spots. This will improve your accuracy under pressure.

4. Shooting: Developing a Scoring Threat

As a beginner, you don’t need to be a sniper right away, but working on your shooting technique will allow you to become a more complete player. Developing a solid wrist shot, slap shot, and backhand shot will make you more versatile on offense.

Key Shooting Tips:

  • Wrist Shot: This is the quickest and most accurate shot in hockey. Focus on a quick release and good follow-through for maximum power and accuracy.

  • Slap Shot: While the slap shot is a powerful shot, it requires good timing and technique. Start with a smaller wind-up and work on hitting the puck with a clean strike.

  • Backhand Shot: The backhand shot can be tricky for beginners but is a useful weapon when shooting from awkward angles. Work on getting the puck off the ice and shooting quickly.

  • Shot Accuracy: Focus on aiming for the corners of the net. Aim low and to the far side to increase your chances of scoring.

Drills to Try:

  • Wrist Shot Practice: Set up a target in the corner of the net and practice wrist shots on the move. Aim for accuracy and consistency.

  • Slap Shot Practice: Start with basic slap shots without a full wind-up, then gradually increase the power and accuracy.

  • Backhand Shooting: Use a cone or target to practice shooting backhand. Aim to shoot with a clean release and hit your target.

5. Fitness: Off-Ice Training for Beginners

While on-ice skills are essential, off-ice fitness is equally important for developing strength, speed, and endurance. A good fitness routine will help you stay sharp during long shifts and recover quickly between games.

Key Fitness Areas to Focus On:

  • Leg Strength: Squats, lunges, and leg presses will help develop the power you need for explosive skating.

  • Core Stability: A strong core is essential for balance and movement. Focus on planks, leg raises, and Russian twists.

  • Cardiovascular Endurance: Interval training, running, and cycling will help improve your overall fitness and stamina for the ice.

  • Upper Body Strength: For stickhandling, passing, and shooting, you need upper body strength. Incorporate push-ups, pull-ups, and shoulder presses into your workout.

Drills to Try:

  • Plyometric Training: Include box jumps, lateral jumps, and sprints in your off-ice training. These explosive movements help mimic the quick bursts of speed on the ice.

  • Agility Drills: Ladder drills and cone drills improve coordination, balance, and quickness, which are all vital for hockey.

  • Endurance Workouts: Include long-distance running or cycling to build cardiovascular stamina.

6. Mental Game: Focus and Confidence

Hockey is as much a mental game as it is a physical one. Developing mental toughness, staying focused, and having confidence in your abilities will set you apart from other beginners.

Mental Game Tips:

  • Stay Positive: Mistakes happen, but don’t dwell on them. Learn from them and stay confident.

  • Visualization: Visualize yourself performing well on the ice, whether it’s skating smoothly, making a perfect pass, or scoring a goal.

  • Focus Under Pressure: Practice staying calm and focused during intense game situations. The more you train your mind, the more effective you’ll be when the game speeds up.

Conclusion

Hockey training for beginners is all about mastering the basics—skating, stickhandling, passing, shooting, and fitness. Focus on these key areas, and gradually build up your skills. Consistency and patience are your best allies as you improve and grow as a player.

Remember, progress takes time, so don’t be discouraged by setbacks. Keep practicing, stay motivated, and enjoy the process of learning and developing your game!