It doesn’t matter if you are watching the NHL or the KHL, when watching hockey you will often see two teams fight for possession of the puck in the neutral zone. As the opposing team attempts to pressure the puck carrier, a high intensity battle of strength and skill inevitably develops.
You may recognize this scenario; if you play hockey, you have probably participated in such a struggle at some point in your career. Maybe you have even scored a memorable goal as a result of such a fierce fight. But what actually is a tomahawk in hockey? How does one properly execute one in game situation? Can you even score a goal with a tomahawk tackle? These are some of the questions we will address in this article. We will review some history and terminology, before outlining the specific techniques and styles you need to successfully execute a tomahawk in hockey. So sit back and get ready to battle!
Table of Contents
The Evolution Of Hockey: A Brief History Lesson
Hockey has been around for more than a century, yet it has continued to evolve and change shape to fit new times and styles. Modern hockey evolved in North America as a combination of the techniques and styles of both hockey and lacrosse. It was first played in the wintertime in the United States, with teams of 12-men-strong competing to protect a single puck. The early days of hockey were dominated by Irish and Scottish players who often fought with their sticks rather than their fists due to a lack of punching bags and leisure centers back then. The sticks used in those days were almost 14 feet long and were called “poles” back then.
In the early 1900s, the size of hockey teams and pucks slowly declined until the 1960s when a new wave of NHL hockey began. Due to safety concerns and the desire to avoid fights, the length of the hockey sticks were gradually reduced to about 10 feet. Puck handling and passing also became more sophisticated as the game evolved to stay competitive. The forward motion of the puck became more important than simply pushing it to your opponent. This is why modern hockey is often referred to as “stick-handling” or “shooters’ hockey.”
The Difference In Style: A Primer On Tackles And Checking
Tomahawk is a common term used in hockey to describe a hit from behind. It is named after the Native Americans who traditionally used this kind of attack, which was later adapted and used by European settlers in Canada. This style of attack causes the most damage when delivered from the back, causing the opponent to slump over in pain. Checkers and fighters often use this type of hit to “neutralize” an opponent, knocking them out of the game before they can react or retaliate.
On the other hand, a tackle is a hit delivered in front of the opponent. A tackle is considered to be more significant than a tomahawk hit because it stops the play and puts a damper on the aggressiveness of the action. A typical tackle is hard enough to the point that it will make the opponent fall over, but not so hard that it causes major injuries.
Besides the style of hit, there is also a technique difference between the two. A tomahawk hit is performed with your shoulder, while a tackle is generally delivered with your chest. Another important difference is that for a tomahawk hit to be legal, it must be delivered from behind. This is why many hockey fights start with a tackle and then escalate into a stick-waving match, or sometimes even into a fistfight. After careful consideration, we determined that a tomahawk hit from in front is also acceptable, but this is quite a risky move and not recommended by the NHL.
NHL Rules Regarding Tomahawk Hits
The NHL doesn’t officially recognize the term “tomahawk hit,” instead referring to these types of body contacts as “checkers’ skills” or “body contact.” Nevertheless, most teams have adopted the name “tomahawk” for these types of plays, and for historical purposes, we will use this term as well. But it is important to keep in mind that these are different types of hits and should be performed and reacted to differently by the hockey player.
The general rules regarding a tomahawk hit are as follows:
- It is legal to check an opponent from behind.
- It is legal to check an opponent from the side.
- A hit from in front is legal if it is clean and the opponent does not have the puck.
- A hit from behind is illegal if it is not clean or if the puck is involved. This includes hits from above, as well as those made with the knee or elbow.
- There is no set number of players who can hit a teammate; however, it is important to keep in mind that excessive checking leads to injury and can eventually destroy a young player’s career. Therefore, checking should always be a last resort when battling for the puck and never a first option.
A Properly Executed Tomahawk
Now that you know the rules governing a tomahawk hit, it’s time to discuss how to properly execute one. The first step is identifying your target. This can be a little tricky since not all opponents will have their back turned, but you can still tell who is responsible for the hit by the position of their arms relative to their body. Remember: your target is the player who has the puck or is the closest to having the puck. This is the person you want to hurt the most with your hit.
Make sure to focus on the area directly below their armpit since this is the area you will connect with your shoulder. The arm nearest the body is usually the trailing arm and this is the one you should use for propulsion when delivering the hit. This area is considered to be the most vital one since it’s here that the body’s vital organs reside. Make sure to hit it with everything you’ve got!
After connecting with your target, follow through with your other arm. This is the one you will use to lift your chest and steer the puck if you want to execute a tomahawk drop-shot. It is also the one you will use to push off your opponent if you want to do some pushing from the side.
The Style Of The Hit
If you are lucky enough to hit your target, it’s important to keep in mind the style of the hit you just executed. A lot of times, a successful hit will determine the style of your next play, especially if you want to continue the attack against the same player. So if you hit them with the shoulder, you will probably be able to attack them with some boxing moves or spin attempts, but if you hit them with your elbow or knee you will want to keep the puck and go for a skate.
Avoiding The Puck
One of the biggest mistakes you can make as a hockey player is trying to take the puck out of the game with you. This is especially important if you are attempting to execute a tomahawk drop-shot; if the puck touches the ground before you lift it over your head, it is simply there to stay and you will have to take another shot at getting the puck. This is why it’s important to aim for the body and not for the puck in cases like these. Keep your eyes open for a clear shot at the body and when you hit it, follow through to maximize the damage.
Scoring A Goal With A Tomahawk
The biggest misconception about the tomahawk is that you have to score a goal to make it worth your while. In fact, you only need to score a goal to make it a successful hit. However, we know that sometimes you score goals while tackling, so it wouldn’t hurt to have one of these on your resume. But you must always aim for the body and never for the puck when executing a tomahawk.
Some Final Tips
If you are just getting started and are not yet familiar with the rules and styles of hockey, it may be difficult to know where to hit your opponent. But don’t worry, after reading this article, you will have a clearer idea of how and where to hit your opponents. Plus, you will know the proper names of the different types of hits, so you can be sure you are applying them properly.