Stance, hand placement, and proper weight shifting is key to a basic beginning and Coach Blasi shares a series of excellent drills designed to reinforce them all! The two-hand drill is a basic stick handling drill that is accomplished by rolling the wrist; a progression is the one-hand/two hand drill. Weight shifting is important in the 'short dribbles/wide sweeps' drill. The 'around the world' drill develops the bottom hand as it shifts around the stick. The 'figure eights' drill is similar and demands focus, balance and stick work. Weight shifting and rolling hands are key in the wide sweeps series. Cones can be used on the ice to create excellent drills. Puck handling control is the objective of the straddling the cones drill. Other cone drills include the short dribble/wide sweep drill, head fake drill, tight turns and tight turns box drill. In addition, Blasi shares his key points for puck control and stick handling and the common problems associated with stick handling.

28 minutes. 2007.

Coach Blasi presents some of the finer points of hockey that give players and teams the edge needed for success. Blasi begins by discussing angling techniques for driving the puck carrier to the side. He teaches players to be stick on stick and body on body, with hand down to separate the man from the puck. Body checking takes good technique and execution. Players must be in good athletic position with the stick down and in control. When taking the hit, you should continue moving with your knees bent. Embracing the hit by using the hands and arms will soften the blow. Drills for angling and body checking include the angling wall drill with four drill variations, the shoulder check drill. Puck protection is an essential part of hockey. Key points are keeping your body between the puck and your opponent, keep your head up with knees bent, and use arms and hips to shield your opponent from the puck. The one-on-one keep away is an excellent drill to develop balancing skill. All five puck protection drills shown will help increase your puck protection skills!

31 minutes. 2007.