We are working on creating some simple drill ideas for our Pügi-ers to use. Just like on the ice, there are times where we might not have a clue where to start on a drill.
Out comes the trusty whiteboard and after a few "X's" and "O's" are drawn by coach, we understand the drill. The whiteboard can be a coach's best friend and sometimes it can be a lifesaver for a player who has a habit of being a "Drill Wrecker"... I may have been one from time to time...
We will be posting a series of videos on our Vimeo page with some drill ideas on the whiteboard. We hope you find these simple drills useful. We will be releasing more in the next few days, so be sure to check back frequently.
To start out with, we have added two simple drills that can be done both on and off the ice by yourself. Just make sure if you are off the ice that you have a hard surface that your can pass against like a brick or concrete wall; we don't want to hear that you put a Big Puck through your drywall!
"V" Passing- Start with the Pügi on your forehand with your chest facing the wall or boards, about 10-15 feet away. With your knees bent in good hockey position, pass the Pügi hard against the boards, in line with the center of your stance. Pass at an angle that will make the Pügi rebound to your backhand. Catch on your backhand, pass from your backhand against the boards and then catch on your forehand. Do this about 10 times on each side and then try passing/shooting with a regulation puck. The puck will feel significantly lighter on your stick! Make sure you are focusing on good form, you want to be creating positive muscle memory.
"X" Passing- Start with the Pügi on your forehand with your chest facing the wall or boards, about 10-15 feet away. With your knees bent in good hockey position, pass the Pügi hard against the boards on your forehand side. Catch it on your forehand and then make a hard pull move to your backhand. With the Pügi on your backhand now, pass it against the boards on your back hand side. This might feel uncomfortable at first, but it is important to get outside of your comfort zone to improve your muscle memory. Catch the Pügi on your backhand and then make another hard pull move across your body to your forehand.
Thanks for checking this out and we hope that these drills will be helpful. We will continue to post them to our Vimeo page and also on the blog.
Play hard, play fair and have fun
-Taylor