Six Steps to Better Passing

Are you tired of the puck hitting your blade and bouncing off? Are you tired of your coach calling you cement hands? Have people stopped passing you the puck for fear of never seeing it again? Well, let’s fix that. Here are six easy steps to better passing.


1. When making a pass it is important to sweep the puck, not flick it. Step one is to draw the puck back slightly. Think of it like cocking a gun. There has to be room for you to put some speed on the puck.

2. As you push the puck forward, also press down toward the ice. This will put a bit of flex on your stick. As the stick moves forward it will eventually release and spring your shot forward. This also gives your pass stability.

3. As you are pushing the puck forward and pressing down on your stick, roll your wrists and point the toe of your blade at what you want to hit. The puck rolls off the blade and is aimed by how you point the toe.

Now, we are going to focus on the hard part, catching the pass:

4. The first thing to remember is shock absorber. We don’t want those previously mentioned “stone hands” to show up. Put your stick a little bit out from your body. When the puck hits your blade, absorb it by moving the blade back. This works just like the suspension in your car. If your stick is to far back, the puck will knock it in the air and go under.

5. Cradle. The puck is your friend, treat it nice. As you absorb the speed of the pass, you will need to cradle and protect it.

6. Never take your eye off the puck until it is safely on your stick. You always hear about receivers dropping the football because they thought they were going to score a touchdown. Don’t do that. Catch the pass, and then make your move. Until you are ready to start thinking two plays ahead, just focus on the task at hand.

Good passing will make you a valuable contributor to your team. Don’t neglect this aspect of the game.

Special thanks toDerek Stell.
Derek has been a hockey instructor for the Peaks Ice Arena for the last five years. During that time he has coached all levels, from four year olds learning to skate to 40 year olds learning to skate to high school summer leagues. He has also played for ACHA D2 Brigham oung University.