Diane Ness
Stops and starts
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- Last Updated on Thursday, 24 January 2013 15:56
By Diane Ness
If you have had a chance to get back and watch some NHL hockey, you know how important it is to sustain a good forecheck. A good forecheck is set up executing good stops and starts. There are a few ways to do stops and starts but I will explain the two main ones that you will see in a game and more importantly should be worked on and practiced.
Winter in Minnesota
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- Last Updated on Thursday, 17 January 2013 16:54
By Diane Ness
The one gift us Minnesotans are given each winter is outdoor ice. Whether it’s on the lake, pond or school playground, outdoor ice brings out the kid in each of us. I grew up on a small lake and most of my beginning skills were learned outside.
All of the skills that I teach my students can be worked on by spending time on outdoor ice. We always use the analogy of a person learning to play a musical instrument. If you only practice during your lesson and do nothing between lessons, improvement will be very slow. You need to take what you learn in practice and continue to work on these skills away from your mandatory practices. That is the only way you will get yourself better.
Puck protection
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- Last Updated on Friday, 04 January 2013 17:09
By Diane Ness
In today’s game it is very important to have puck control or “puck management.” If you watch any kind of high level hockey, you are able to see that the players are very good at keeping control of the puck and not carelessly turning the puck over.
Whether it’s along the boards, in the corner or in the slot, good players are able to protect the puck using their body along with excellent footwork from their skating. Even at the younger levels they are calling checking from behind so tight it is important to take advantage of puck protection.
Forward and backward leg pulls
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- Last Updated on Thursday, 10 January 2013 17:15
By Diane Ness
Leg pulls are one of the most complicated edge drills to execute, but at the same time should look simple and effortless when done correctly. A leg pull is a drill in which the skater takes one or two pushes, balances on one skate, and pushes from each edge to keep speed. This skater must go the length of the ice on one foot without touching the other skate to the ice.
What is a slide stop?
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- Last Updated on Thursday, 20 December 2012 18:12
By Diane Ness
A slide stop is a difficult skill to grasp and understand. Imagine a puck carrier skating into the offensive zone 1-on-2. The skater then makes a hard escape turn towards the boards and delays, waiting for his linemates to give him an outlet as they join the rush. The skater will more than likely execute a slide stop in this situation.
You may ask, “What is a slide stop”? A slide stop is a combination of a power turn and a hockey stop. A power turn is a turn done on both an inside and an outside edge, whereas a hockey stop is obviously a complete stop.Hopefully you will understand the difference between a power turn and a slide stop.
