Can you use it off ice?

Originally pugi was designed to be used only on the ice, but replaceable nylon sliders can be added on one side so that the puck can be used on concrete or a dry surface for training. pugi also comes with a removable straight handle that allows a player to use it as a warm-up and strengthening tool off ice.

Can pugi really improve skills?

Yes! It is obvious the longer force acts on an object to speed it up the faster it will move. As the athlete overcomes inertia the puck on the stick moves faster and faster until the puck is no longer on the stick. The longer the athlete holds the puck before it is released the faster it moves. The same principle is used in reverse when a force slows down an object. When a hockey player catches a puck he draws the stick or cushions the blow. The technique increases the time the slowing down force is acting.

Why is practicing with pugi so important?

All sports are kinetic, whether they are high-speed sports such as hockey or low speed sports such as bowling. All relate to motion, and require skills that employ motion. Many sports combine several different skills. A hockey player must skate and at the same time, be able to handle, pass and shoot the puck. The quality of kinetic production is crucial.

In every sport the skills involved are developed in proportion to their importance, both separately and in combination. A hockey player will practice shooting, passing and receiving the puck while skating or while stationary. The athlete is building patterns or muscle memory while practicing. In the course of repeating correct movements and rhythms, the quality of the player's passing, receiving or shooting will improve considerably. The inverse is also true, if the athlete practices with poor technique or movement he will build poor patterns and essentially will become worse. It is more important to practice smart than hard!

What impact will pugi have on player development?

We need to look back at the requirements:

Concentration: Because of the size you immediately create what we call a "WOW" factor. Unlike a puck that is merely weighted this object is huge and immediately draws attention. People want to touch it and play with it.

ProperForm: Once you have pugi on your stick you realize that the only way you can handle or control it is by using proper form.

Body Position: Because of the size and weight you immediately incorporate the use of your legs and arms in passing and receiving. Just as a pitcher uses his legs to generate inertia so does the hockey player while passing and shooting this puck.

Hand Position: As soon player passes and receives pugi his hands drop into the proper position on the stick in order to generate the inertia to move the puck.

Stick Position: Because of the size of pugi a player must hold the stick in the proper position in relation to his body in order to shoot, pass and receive pugi.

Puck Position on Stick: This is absolutely critical the puck should be on the heal of the stick when you pass and receive the puck. Because of the size of the puck the player has to pass it from heal of the stick. This means that the longer the athlete holds the puck before it is released the faster it moves. The disadvantage of the a weighted regulation sized puck is that the athlete could generate enough force to move the puck while not having the puck in the proper position on the stick and essentially practices and reinforces poor technique or muscle memory. If the Big Puck is not on the proper position on the stick the puck will roll off the end because of the size and the player will not be able shoot, pass or receive the puck.

Who currently uses pugi?

Blake Schools, Minneapolis
University of Minnesota
Bloomington Jefferson, Bloomington
University of Wisconsin
Benilde-St. Margaret, St. Louis Park
Eden Prairie HS, Eden Prairie
US Women's National Team
Eagan HS Girls, Eagan
Bemidji HS Girls, Bemidji
Elk River HS Girls, Elk River
U of Notre Dame, Notre Dame
Blaine HS, Blaine
Topeka ScareCrows, USHL
Hamilton College, NY
Puckmasters Training Centers
Irondale HS Girls, New Brighton
Centennial Youth Hockey, Centennial
The Hockey School, Spooner
Culver Military, Culver
St. Benedicts, St. Cloud
Blaine HS Girls, Blaine
St. Cloud State Women's Hockey, St. Cloud
and many more...