If you are playing hockey then you know that good hand skills are essential. If you want to be able to handle the puck efficiently then you need to practice using your hands a lot. There are several ways to get good hands in hockey, and if you work at it then you will definitely develop the skills you need to be successful. This article will go over a few of the things you can do to get your hands functioning well in the game of hockey. Continue reading for more information on each point.
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Wash And Dry Your Hands Frequently
Washing your hands often can help improve their functionality. If you play an aggressive game then you will develop callouses on your fingertips from constantly sliding around on the ice. This is why you need to wash your hands regularly โ it will help reduce the roughness and therefore increase the sensitivity of your fingertips. The more you wash them the better, and if you do it after a game or practice then you will definitely feel the benefits. If you are not using gloves then this is even more important, as your hands will be more prone to drying out and thus becoming even more prone to injury. There is no reason to play with dry and chapped hands โ you will certainly feel the difference and the consequences of not properly caring for your hands will harm your game performance.
Use The Proper Fingertips
Your fingernails should always be filed down to the nailbed, or it can cause pain when you play. If your nails are overly long then you will also have trouble holding on to the puck, as your fingers will be too far apart to reach it. You should also bend your pinky and little finger at the knuckle, as this creates a more natural position for your hands when you are playing. When you file your nails to the proper length and shape then you will not only be able to hold on to the puck longer but you will also be able to slide your hands more smoothly because your fingers will be positioned more naturally next to each other. You will also be able to hit harder because your hands will be closer to your body, which in turn will make your shots go further.
Practice With A Helmets On
Hockey is a fast-paced game, and in order to be successful you will need to be able to react quickly to the puck. If you practice with a helmet on then this will help you focus more on reacting to the puck and less on keeping your head from getting damaged, as this will take away some of the distraction. With a helmet you will notice that you can focus more on playing the game rather than protecting yourself from getting hurt, and this is what you should aim for whenever you practice. If you are new to the game then you should start out by playing in small doses with a helmet until you get used to the idea of not having your head protected. Once you get the hang of it then you can take off the helmet and practice without it. This will help you develop the reflexes you need to be successful.
Play In A Cold Climate
The temperature can have a big impact on the performance of your hands, as well as the rest of your body. If you are playing in a cold climate then you will need to wear gloves in order to keep your hands at the right temperature, and you should also wear a hat to keep your head warm. It is never a good idea to play with your hands at the wrong temperature, as this can cause injuries and make it harder for you to play the game. If you are living in a cold climate then you should start developing your hands early on in the winter, as this will increase the circulation of blood to your fingertips and therefore make it easier for you to play with any gloves you might have.
Practice With A Puck
Many people think that in order to get good hands you need to start by using a stick, but this is not true. You can practice using a puck instead, as this will also help improve your hand skills. When you start you should use a smaller puck, as the smaller the better. The bigger the puck, the more your hands will have to move around to make proper contact with it. Pucks can be used for practicing one-handed shots as well as different stick spins, so be sure to use whatever is available to you.
Use All Pads And Helmets Available
If you play on a natural surface like grass or dirt then you will not need as many protective devices for your hands as if you were playing on ice. A good rule of thumb is: the more natural surface you have, the less you need in terms of protection. For example, if you play on a beach then you do not need to worry about wearing gloves or having your hands padded, as you are not going to get any scratches or bruises from hitting the sand with your hands. You should, however, still take care of any stitches that might form from getting skinned during a scrum on the beach.
Try Different Strokes
If you have never played hockey then this is probably the point in which you should start. One of the best ways to get your hands working well is by trying out different strokes. Throwing the puck around with just your hands is an excellent way to get in some practice, and if you can do this with some coordination and skill then it will definitely be worth your time. Different strokes can also be used to practice different spins on the puck โ some people like to throw the puck around in circles while others like to twirl it like a ballerina. You can do both, but using different strokes will help you improve your puck handling skills independently of each other.
Play In A Slushy/Snowy Weather
If you live in a place where it snows regularly then it might be a good idea to take some time off from playing hockey in order to become more accustomed to the winter weather. Driving in the snow is difficult enough without having to worry about your hands freezing up, so take some time off until things get easier. In the meantime, be sure to wear warm gloves and mittens when handling the puck during practices and games, and try to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water.
Play In Your Home Town
There are several benefits to playing in your home town. First, there will be people who know how to handle themselves around pucks and can help you improve your game. Second, the familiarity will help reduce your nerves, and last, but not least, the food will be good too โ you can always practice with your hands in your kitchen as long as you make sure that your knuckles are not too dirty when handling the puck! A bonus of playing in your home town is that you can use the ice in the local rink as an extension of your own backyard, and this can be a great way to get some more practice in before the puck drops during a game.
The more you practice the better you will become, and with these tips you can ensure good hands in hockey. The above article is a brief overview of some of the things you can try to get your hands working at their best. When it comes to your hands then nothing is more important than they are โ if you want to be able to play without pain and injury then you need to take care of your hands and ensure that they are in good condition. The above tips should only be taken as a guideline and they should not be followed to the letter โ instead, find what works best for you and your game and stick with it. You will be able to tell the difference in your game whether you worked at improving your hands or just played with them because it was the โright thing to do’. Good luck out there.