THE MORE YOU PRACTICE THE MORE YOU IMPROVE
There are three basic "modes" of puck handling that underwater hockey players learn as we develop. I will describe all three modes and focus on the second and third modes, which most players should practice in order to advance their game.
The first mode we learn is puck protection using the back of the blade. We discover that by keeping the puck on the back of the blade and close to the body we can shield it from the opposition and execute several different under-the-body back moves. In order to succeed at this, it is necessary to keep your head and shoulders close to the pool bottom to prevent opposing players from reaching in. Because of this, your vision of teammates is restricted, making this an individual mode of play. The second mode of play is to be able to control the puck on the front of the blade. This is described in more detail below. The overall effect of playing in this style is that your body is higher off the pool bottom allowing you to always have a view of both the opposition and your teammates. This allows you to play as a better team player. The third mode of play is to be able to control the puck on the front and back of the stick interchangeably by rolling. This mode of play marks the transition from what I call "push hockey" to "pull hockey". In the beginning, we all find success by pushing the puck through the opposition and knocking it off their sticks. We can only get so far by doing this. Once we can pull the puck away from the opposition and advance it all in one motion (through rolling the puck) we are playing pull-hockey. Playing in this fashion requires less brute strength and uses more finesse. In essence, the most efficient style of play is one where you make subtle puck moves rather relying on your strength to push your way through the opposition. |
PUCK HANDLINGIn order to have success with the puck movement skills described below it is important to relax your arm and shoulder as you do them. Don't keep your arm stiff. When an opposing player tries to punch the puck off your stick as you execute these skills, your whole arm will give in with the motion. The result of this is that you end up with your stick still on the puck, simply in a new position.
Being able to control the puck on the front of the blade in any situation is a fundamental skill that every player should practice. |
Being able to control the puck on the front of the blade in any situation is a fundamental skill that every player should practice. Some of the benefits of this skill are:
The best way to practice front of the blade work is to do the Figure-8 drill shown in the diagram above. In the Figure-8 drill, you move the puck in front of your body, from side to side. When practicing the skill, exaggerate the puck movement by moving the puck from the right of your right shoulder all the past your left shoulder. Don't rotate your torso in order to get the puck to the extreme left. Keep your shoulders square with the pool bottom.
There are a few elements of the drill that are unfamiliar to many players. When you reach point (A), you will need to release your grip on your stick somewhat. You will end up holding your stick by only your thumb and forefinger at this point. It helps if you have your index finger attached to your stick with an elastic band. I use a "pony tail" hair elastic and loop it between the handle and index finger. This will allow you pivot your stick around your finger without losing it. At point (B) you need to "break" your wrist so that your knuckles start to point towards you. The stick will rest in your fingers and no longer rest in your palm. The hardest parts of the drill are the transitions from (A-C) and particularly (B-C). When moving the puck from (B-C), the front of your blade and knuckles end up pointing towards your body.
Some of the important elements to concentrate on in this drill are:
- You can keep your head up and your chest high off the pool bottom, thereby improving your vision. This simple attribute is what distinguishes the top play makers in the game from the rest.
- With the puck on the front of the blade, it is possible to flick the puck immediately when in danger. You don't have the delay associated with moving the puck from the back of the blade to a shooting position.
- You can shield the puck without having to drop your head and upper body. You are also more likely to retain the puck if someone manages to poke check you.
The best way to practice front of the blade work is to do the Figure-8 drill shown in the diagram above. In the Figure-8 drill, you move the puck in front of your body, from side to side. When practicing the skill, exaggerate the puck movement by moving the puck from the right of your right shoulder all the past your left shoulder. Don't rotate your torso in order to get the puck to the extreme left. Keep your shoulders square with the pool bottom.
There are a few elements of the drill that are unfamiliar to many players. When you reach point (A), you will need to release your grip on your stick somewhat. You will end up holding your stick by only your thumb and forefinger at this point. It helps if you have your index finger attached to your stick with an elastic band. I use a "pony tail" hair elastic and loop it between the handle and index finger. This will allow you pivot your stick around your finger without losing it. At point (B) you need to "break" your wrist so that your knuckles start to point towards you. The stick will rest in your fingers and no longer rest in your palm. The hardest parts of the drill are the transitions from (A-C) and particularly (B-C). When moving the puck from (B-C), the front of your blade and knuckles end up pointing towards your body.
Some of the important elements to concentrate on in this drill are:
- Keep the puck on the front surface of your blade. Don't turn your stick on edge so that the top face ends up playing the puck.
- Make sure the puck moves all the way past your left shoulder without resorting to rotating your torso. Move it past your right shoulder by relaxing your grip on your stick.
- Adjust your grip on your stick at each extreme.
PUCK ROLLING
Many players already incorporate some amount of puck rolling in their games. There are many different skills that are improved by adding puck rolling to them (curling, checking, puck protection, etc.) The main benefits of using puck rolling as part of your game are:
It causes opponents to misjudge your intentions.
It allows you to execute maneuvers quickly and efficiently.
It allows you to shield the puck.
The simplest motion to practice is to roll the puck from side to side:
Important points to remember when doing this skill:
The puck should never leave the blade.
It is important to put a hard spin on the puck. This forces the puck to stick on the pool bottom and prevents it from flipping on its edge as you drag it across.
Practice this motion so that you can execute it quickly without looking at the puck. You can add this skill to your game by rolling the puck from the back of the blade to front while curling, checking opponents by pulling the puck away, and executing quick left and right changes of direction.
It causes opponents to misjudge your intentions.
It allows you to execute maneuvers quickly and efficiently.
It allows you to shield the puck.
The simplest motion to practice is to roll the puck from side to side:
Important points to remember when doing this skill:
The puck should never leave the blade.
It is important to put a hard spin on the puck. This forces the puck to stick on the pool bottom and prevents it from flipping on its edge as you drag it across.
Practice this motion so that you can execute it quickly without looking at the puck. You can add this skill to your game by rolling the puck from the back of the blade to front while curling, checking opponents by pulling the puck away, and executing quick left and right changes of direction.
A more difficult drill is to execute a "V" with the puck in front of your body while spinning it continuously. The motion of the stick and puck are shown in the diagram below.
Important things to remember when doing this drill:
Make sure each diagonal cut spans the 2 metre width. |