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Develop Your Dangles

By Minnesota Hockey, 04/23/13, 10:45AM CDT

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Wish you had the ability to pull off sick dangles like Datsyuk, Kane or Malkin? You can! Stick handling is one hockey skill that every hockey player can work on and improve.  It doesn’t take fancy equipment, an abundance of ice time or a personal trainer to get better; just time and effort.

When it comes to highlight reels, big hits and outstanding saves are fine, but for most people, it’s all about seeing unreal passes, ridiculous moves and jaw dropping goals. Stick handling usually plays a substantial role in each of these, making it a skill players are often more motivated to work on.  The good news is that it is also one of the most convenient to practice.

Stick handling drills usually have minimal requirements. You will need a stick, a ball, and a hard, preferably smooth surface like cement, as well as eight to ten pucks (optional). Once you have those items, the only thing missing is your desire to improve and a willingness to put in the time it takes to do so.

Here are a few drills to help you get started:

For beginning players, it is important to go slowly as you learn the drill.  As you develop your skills, you can increase the speed to raise the difficulty. 

Another drill that is great for advanced players is to spread several pucks in a random, fairly tight cluster. Then, attempt to stick handle in, around and through the pucks without hitting them.  This drill is a great way to develop creativity and fluid transitions between the various stick handling skills. 

Practicing stick handling is a great way to work on your hockey skills during the spring and summer without interfering with other sports and activities or requiring a significant commitment in terms of time and money. Try these drills this summer and see how just 15-20 minutes of practice a day can translate into significant gains in your stick handling skills, passing and hand-eye coordination.

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