How to: Passing the Puck

Introduction

Being able to handle the puck and dishing it to others effectively requires finesse but also vision. These tips will create the solid foundation needed to obtain that finesse and vision. Who knows? You may become the next Ron Francis.

Passing the Puck

The Basics

There are three attributes behind passing the puck. Generating power, accuracy, and keeping the puck flat.

Power
Similar to shooting, the push & pull generates the power. In summary, ensure that you are pulling the stick with the top hand and pushing with the bottom hand. One mistake that beginners make is that they slap at the puck instead of sweep it with the push & pull. Although slapping the puck will generate power, it sacrifices accuracy.

Accuracy
To increase accuracy in the pass follow-through low and point at the target. The target could be a teammate if they’re standing still. More often than not they will be moving. In this case, the pass will have to lead them. In other words, the pass will have to be ahead of them so they can skate onto it without breaking stride. How much ahead of them will depend on how quickly they’re skating and their path forward. If the teammate is winding through traffic it will be a lot slower than if they were skating in a straight line. All this comes with practice.

Keeping the Puck Flat
To tame a wobbly puck rotate the top hand so that the blade closes during release. The progression should go from cupping the puck during the sweep, opening the blade during the release, and then closing it. Closing the blade will keep the puck tight against the ice. Teammates will rejoice as flat pucks are much easier to receive.

Saucer Pass

The saucer pass is a great tool to have. Situations that call for the use of such a tool are two-on-ones or finding a teammate backdoor. It’s not a pass that should be used all the time as the defending team will swat it out of the air.

The key to the saucer pass is to start with the puck at the heel of the blade. During the release keep the blade open and slide the puck from heel to toe. The blade remains open during the follow-through. This motion gives puck lift and stability due to its rotation. This video of Patrick Kane shows the movement nicely.

Receiving the Puck

The Basics

Keep the Stick on the Ice
A lot of beginners have hovering sticks. This sounds cool but is an impediment. The time it takes to bring the stick down onto the ice may be the difference between receiving the puck or letting it fly by. Teammates will have a target if the blade is on the ice as well.

Maximizing Blade Contact with the Ice
Depending on where the puck is being received, grip and body positioning need to be adjusted to maximize blade contact with the ice. Otherwise, the puck will slide under the blade. For instance, when the puck is coming towards the feet shift to a wide grip. When the puck is just out of reach lean over and shift to a narrow grip. Notice how much blade is on the ice in these positions and make adjustments to maximize it.

Cushion the Puck
Receiving the puck is similar to catching an egg. If the egg isn’t cushioned it will break. In our case, if we don’t cushion the puck it will bounce off our stick. When the puck makes contact with the blade absorb the momentum by bringing back the blade a few inches ending with the blade cupped. Cupping the puck helps calm a wobbly puck and ensures it doesn’t roll off the blade. While receiving on the forehand, aim to have the puck make contact in the center of the blade. Receive the puck near the heel on the backhand.

Recommendations

Now time to use this newfound knowledge during your practices and games. If you’re looking for off-ice drills to develop hockey skills click the download button to get the IOS app. We have tons of proven drills to develop your hockey skills and track your progression. No need for some fancy off-ice training aids. All you need is the app, a hockey stick, and some pucks (Green Biscuit pucks are the best for off-ice training).