southern california guy Posted January 9, 2011 Share Posted January 9, 2011 (edited) I joined a "rookie" hockey league. And wow is it hard for me to keep control of the puck! I know that my skating is not perfect but I'm not falling down much. However hockey can be such a fast high adrenaline sport -- that I almost lose track of where the puck is and end up off sides.. I figure that some of you guys must be expert hockey players so what do you recommend as far as off ice practice for puck and stick control. Should I put on rollerblades and go down to the school down the hill from me and practice with a puck and a wood beater stick. I'm using a "left-handed" stick because I like holding the stick with my right hand and I like the power that I have when my right hand is on top. What do you guys think about using a "left-handed" versus a "right-handed" stick for somebody like me who is right-handed? Edited January 9, 2011 by southern california guy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
txdinghysailor Posted January 10, 2011 Share Posted January 10, 2011 (edited) Well I'm no expert but I used to play a bunch of street hockey and now I play pickup hockey with a bunch of my friends once a week. I really don't know what to tell you, except to try to just slow yourself down and have better situational awareness. As far as puck control i would say just get to the rink as early and stay as late as you can and just puck handle as much as you can. Also, it'll naturally get better with practice. I'm also right handed, and i've never used anything but a right handed stick. It's usually best if your dominant hand is closer to the ice, and therefore to the puck. You get more control that way. Edited January 10, 2011 by txdinghysailor Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed Normile Posted January 10, 2011 Share Posted January 10, 2011 Man you are from California, what are you thinking playing Ice Hockey anyway? You need to do some California thing, smoke weed, or play dominoes. If you want sports I would suggest competitive sun tanning, or that thing where they ride a painted plank of wood in the waves wearing the rubber suits. ed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southern california guy Posted January 10, 2011 Author Share Posted January 10, 2011 (edited) [quote name='Ed Normile' timestamp='1294629850' post='2198472'] Man you are from California, what are you thinking playing Ice Hockey anyway? You need to do some California thing, smoke weed, or play dominoes. If you want sports I would suggest competitive sun tanning, or that thing where they ride a painted plank of wood in the waves wearing the rubber suits. ed [/quote] I know it does seem like a contradiction that I'm growing tropical fruit trees and palms on the hillside behind my house and I belong to the palm society, and surf -- at the same time as ice skating and playing hockey. But hey there's an ice rink within walking distance of my work! Dude I can't smoke weed I'm a truck driver and I'm always getting drug tested. I'd probably get caught and go to jail for the rest of my life... And I don't even know how to play dominoes... However I would probably be pretty good at competitive sun tanning. Not to brag or anything but I tan up well. And getting back to hockey I chose the left handed stick because it felt more comfortable to me to hold the stick with my right hand on top -- like a shovel, or broom. And when I let go of the stick with my lower hand, to skate fast, it feels right to be holding onto it with my right hand. I'm kind of surprised by how many people down here go for the "right-handed" stick -- with the left hand on top. The great thing about Southern California is that you can do anything down here. I sort of live out in the country. And yet I'm only a half hour from the beach. And the weather is perfect here year round. It's darn near paradise. However five years ago I would have said that anybody who played ice hockey down here was nuts And maybe they are Edited January 10, 2011 by southern california guy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed Normile Posted January 10, 2011 Share Posted January 10, 2011 I was only joking with you. I learned to skate and play ice hockey in the SUMMER one year in St. Paul Minn. We used a hard rubber ball to play when we could not go to the rink. I got good enough to be picked every time, we actually played pick up hockey games all the time, these kids were hockey freaks, naming off Bobby Orr stats and all. Everybody had their favorite team too. We even had enforcers and each game turned into a brawl at some point, that was hockey those days ! Mom would ask why I had a split lip or black eye and I would always say it just happens, then she bought me a mask which i had to lose so as not to be belittled by the other kids. I could use either hand on the stick, most guys i played with could too, it comes in handy when you are approaching the goal on your off hand side, and passing was easier when you could switch. Its a great sport, but, I doubt I could even skate these days! You ever watch Hockey on the tube? Its a real fast paced sport, hard to see in Fl. and even Ohio where I summer for work. I guess it just does have enough following in these states, until the playoffs come then you can find some place to watch. being you are a newbie, the best team to root for is of course the Pittsburgh Penguins, after that the Toronto Maple Leafs, the rest are just figure skaters with sticks !! ed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
icelandic_iceskater Posted January 10, 2011 Share Posted January 10, 2011 Hey now Ed, what's wrong with figure-skaters bearing hockey-sticks? For realsies, though. SCG: how much control do you have of your body without the stick and puck? I've never officially played hockey, so take this for what it's worth (possibly nothing.) I've found that the better control I have of my body, the better control I have of the puck. Given the choice between puck-handling and skating skills, I'd work to improve skating skills. Without them, the best puck-handling in the world is useless. But then again, my experience is limited to figure-skating, winters filled with pond-hockey, and watching my bros play/dad coach. la deedle da. Oh, and you're not the only righty who skates opposite and uses a left-handed hockey stick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southern california guy Posted January 11, 2011 Author Share Posted January 11, 2011 (edited) [quote name='icelandic_iceskater' timestamp='1294637260' post='2198536'] Hey now Ed, what's wrong with figure-skaters bearing hockey-sticks? For realsies, though. SCG: how much control do you have of your body without the stick and puck? I've never officially played hockey, so take this for what it's worth (possibly nothing.) I've found that the better control I have of my body, the better control I have of the puck. Given the choice between puck-handling and skating skills, I'd work to improve skating skills. Without them, the best puck-handling in the world is useless. But then again, my experience is limited to figure-skating, winters filled with pond-hockey, and watching my bros play/dad coach. la deedle da. Oh, and you're not the only righty who skates opposite and uses a left-handed hockey stick [/quote] I am working on my skating skills as well. I'm taking a hockey skating class. And I do have some Jackson figure skates in addition to my my Bauers. I tried ice dancing but it was a bit too advanced for me. I'm not sure if I want to try figure-skating jumps. Wanna see something funny? Check out this video from a couple of weeks ago. [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JB0VNTvNPaQ[/media] Edited January 11, 2011 by southern california guy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southern california guy Posted January 11, 2011 Author Share Posted January 11, 2011 [quote name='Ed Normile' timestamp='1294634294' post='2198506'] I was only joking with you. I learned to skate and play ice hockey in the SUMMER one year in St. Paul Minn. We used a hard rubber ball to play when we could not go to the rink. I got good enough to be picked every time, we actually played pick up hockey games all the time, these kids were hockey freaks, naming off Bobby Orr stats and all. Everybody had their favorite team too. We even had enforcers and each game turned into a brawl at some point, that was hockey those days ! Mom would ask why I had a split lip or black eye and I would always say it just happens, then she bought me a mask which i had to lose so as not to be belittled by the other kids. I could use either hand on the stick, most guys i played with could too, it comes in handy when you are approaching the goal on your off hand side, and passing was easier when you could switch. Its a great sport, but, I doubt I could even skate these days! You ever watch Hockey on the tube? Its a real fast paced sport, hard to see in Fl. and even Ohio where I summer for work. I guess it just does have enough following in these states, until the playoffs come then you can find some place to watch. being you are a newbie, the best team to root for is of course the Pittsburgh Penguins, after that the Toronto Maple Leafs, the rest are just figure skaters with sticks !! ed [/quote] Ed, You must have played with a hockey stick with a straight blade. Or did you play both sides with a stick with a curved blade? A couple of years ago my girlfriend, at that time, took me to a professional hockey game at the Staples Center up in Los Angeles. So I have been to at least one pro game. And I do watch it from time to time on tv. I don't know if I'd call them figure skaters with sticks. But I do know a couple of guys who started out as figure skaters -- and later took up hockey. Surprisingly they can do pretty much any figure skating move on hockey skates -- even without the toe pick. Of course you have to be a very good figure skater to do that. However Toronto does have a pretty strong team don't they? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed Normile Posted January 11, 2011 Share Posted January 11, 2011 [quote name='southern california guy' timestamp='1294713255' post='2198817'] Ed, You must have played with a hockey stick with a straight blade. Or did you play both sides with a stick with a curved blade? A couple of years ago my girlfriend, at that time, took me to a professional hockey game at the Staples Center up in Los Angeles. So I have been to at least one pro game. And I do watch it from time to time on tv. I don't know if I'd call them figure skaters with sticks. But I do know a couple of guys who started out as figure skaters -- and later took up hockey. Surprisingly they can do pretty much any figure skating move on hockey skates -- even without the toe pick. Of course you have to be a very good figure skater to do that. However Toronto does have a pretty strong team don't they? [/quote] As far as I kniow there were only sticks with straight blades at that time socalguy, at least everybody I played with had them. As far as I know the pros sticks were straight blades too. We also had them wrapped with black tape to protect and reinforce them, like the pros did, not that we needed it biut you have to copy the pros. I truly did not know there were curved blades even these days, I will have to watch for that next time I see a game. I guess the curved blade controls the puck better? [img]http://www.grandstandsports.com/images/4582.jpg[/img]This is a picture of Bobby Orr's autographed hockey stick, similiar to what we all had. This was back in 72, I know he played from the early 60's to 79 or 80 he was the Wayne Gretzky of his day arguably a superstar from his first game. ed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Norseman82 Posted January 11, 2011 Share Posted January 11, 2011 [quote name='southern california guy' timestamp='1294612865' post='2198338'] I joined a "rookie" hockey league. And wow is it hard for me to keep control of the puck! I know that my skating is not perfect but I'm not falling down much. However hockey can be such a fast high adrenaline sport -- that I almost lose track of where the puck is and end up off sides.. I figure that some of you guys must be expert hockey players so what do you recommend as far as off ice practice for puck and stick control. Should I put on rollerblades and go down to the school down the hill from me and practice with a puck and a wood beater stick. I'm using a "left-handed" stick because I like holding the stick with my right hand and I like the power that I have when my right hand is on top. What do you guys think about using a "left-handed" versus a "right-handed" stick for somebody like me who is right-handed? [/quote] Get some ice time and practice doing some cone drills and circle drills with the puck. Also, do some "give and go" drills to practice passing the puck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
liseski Posted January 11, 2011 Share Posted January 11, 2011 (edited) [quote name='southern california guy' timestamp='1294713255' post='2198817'] However Toronto does have a pretty strong team don't they? [/quote] HAHAHAHAHAHA no And use whichever stick is comfortable. Lots of people shoot left if they are right handed. I am left-handed and shoot right Edited January 11, 2011 by liseski Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southern california guy Posted January 12, 2011 Author Share Posted January 12, 2011 [quote name='Ed Normile' timestamp='1294724982' post='2198896'] As far as I kniow there were only sticks with straight blades at that time socalguy, at least everybody I played with had them. As far as I know the pros sticks were straight blades too. We also had them wrapped with black tape to protect and reinforce them, like the pros did, not that we needed it biut you have to copy the pros. I truly did not know there were curved blades even these days, I will have to watch for that next time I see a game. I guess the curved blade controls the puck better? [img]http://www.grandstandsports.com/images/4582.jpg[/img]This is a picture of Bobby Orr's autographed hockey stick, similiar to what we all had. This was back in 72, I know he played from the early 60's to 79 or 80 he was the Wayne Gretzky of his day arguably a superstar from his first game. ed [/quote] Ed, I confess that I know almost nothing about hockey, and hockey players, but I do know who Bobby Orr was and I've seen videos of him. I think that the curved blades do help control the puck better and it makes it easier to pick up and throw the puck with certain shots. Incidentally I've got my stick all taped up too -- the top grip, and the blade except for the tip. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed Normile Posted January 12, 2011 Share Posted January 12, 2011 [quote name='liseski' timestamp='1294779886' post='2199077'] HAHAHAHAHAHA no And use whichever stick is comfortable. Lots of people shoot left if they are right handed. I am left-handed and shoot right [/quote] I admit I am not up on the leafs these days, but you do realize they have won ELEVEN Stanley cups? Thats a pretty strong team by any accounting. I do know they have long been the most valaubale team in the NHL, and they are one of the original six teams of the NHL. ed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Semper Catholic Posted January 12, 2011 Share Posted January 12, 2011 [quote name='southern california guy' timestamp='1294794129' post='2199179'] Ed, I confess that I know almost nothing about hockey, and hockey players, but I do know who Bobby Orr was and I've seen videos of him. I think that the curved blades do help control the puck better and it makes it easier to pick up and throw the puck with certain shots. Incidentally I've got my stick all taped up too -- the top grip, and the blade except for the tip. [/quote] The curved blade is for speed and control when shooting, not so much puck handling. Bobby Hull (Brett Hull's father) curved his stick so much that the NHL had to create rules and regulations on how high of a degree of curve a player could use. In the NHL it's not uncommon for player's to be accused of having illegally curved stick's (Ilya Kovalchuk is probably the most high profile case) it's kind of like being accused of corking your bat in baseball. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southern california guy Posted January 17, 2011 Author Share Posted January 17, 2011 [quote name='Semper Catholic' timestamp='1294816485' post='2199300'] The curved blade is for speed and control when shooting, not so much puck handling. Bobby Hull (Brett Hull's father) curved his stick so much that the NHL had to create rules and regulations on how high of a degree of curve a player could use. In the NHL it's not uncommon for player's to be accused of having illegally curved stick's (Ilya Kovalchuk is probably the most high profile case) it's kind of like being accused of corking your bat in baseball. [/quote] That makes sense. I can see how you'd be able to shoot harder. What do you think of this video series? [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hjG6BT2kUuM[/media] Should I get it? It's a little pricey, but if I could handle a puck that well...! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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