It might not seem like the most obvious move to make, but you’ll be surprised how many hockey players don’t know how to toe drag. It’s actually quite simple to do and can make a significant difference in your game. Let’s take a look at how to toe drag in hockey so that you can improve your game and be more effective on the ice.
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Get Comfortable
When you’re on the ice, you want to feel as confident as possible, which means you want to be as relaxed as possible. If you’re tense, you’ll struggle to generate the proper torque, which in turn will affect your game. It’s important to get into the habit of loosening up before every game and practice so that your body is prepared for when the puck drops and you have to make a move. You don’t want to be tight when the time for action arrives.
Before you start the toe drag, you need to make sure your entire foot is on the ice and that the rest of your body is relaxed. Start by bending your knees slightly and placing your hands at your sides. Slowly lift your leg up until it forms a right angle with the ice. You should feel as comfortable as possible while keeping a straight leg. Once you’ve got the feel of it, continue with a bounce in your step as you walk toward the net. Remember, this is an important exercise and should not be taken lightly!
Start Light
When you’re first starting out, it’s important to take it easy. Don’t try and do too much too soon. Instead, focus on getting your body used to moving around while on the ice. You can do this simple drill called the skating stride where you stand on the ice with your hands at your sides. With your right foot, push off the ice and skate in a straight line as you bring your arms in and out. Your left hand should be near your hip and your right hand should be near the floor. Skating in this manner helps develop proper balance and enables you to gain more control over your body as you apply force to it. It also allows you to focus on what you’re doing without having to think about things like speed or distance. Instead, you should be thinking about form. Slowly work your way up to ten minutes per day, two to three times per week.
Practice
After you’ve gotten the basics down, it’s time to practice. You can do this by repeating the process with the puck. Start by holding it with both hands and skating slowly toward the net. As you get closer, pull the puck toward you and then drop it. This is where most players run into trouble. Instead of keeping their hands near their body and using their strength to pull the puck toward them, they extend their arms and allow the puck to go where it wants. This takes away the torque and makes the shot much harder. Keep practicing this until it becomes a habit. Once you’re comfortable holding the puck with your hands at your sides and using your strength to pull it toward you, you can take it a step further by using your legs. Lean back and skate in short bursts as you pull the puck toward you. This helps you maintain control while adding more power to the shot. As you get more advanced, add another set of players and have them pass the puck back and forth to one another as you try to shoot.
Watch Videos
Another way to improve your game is by watching videos of yourself and others at play. You can do this from the comfort of your own home and in your spare time. Watch how other players execute the moves you’re practicing and try to pick out the differences. There is no replacement for actual practice, but sometimes it’s difficult to find the time for this especially when you have a busy schedule. Watching videos of yourself at play can help you determine where you need to improve and give you a sense of direction as you work your way toward mastery.
Torque Is Key
When you’re toe dragging, your body weight should be concentrated on your front foot as you push off the ice. That way, as the rest of your body comes forward, it will naturally pull your leg along with it. You don’t want to use your hands to push off the ice because then it’s like you’re trying to push off a wall. You need your hands near your body to maintain control as you pull the puck toward you. The torque generated from your body should be enough to cause the puck to move. The harder you pull, the faster and more accurately it will go where you want it to. Too often the puck is batted away because the shooter used too much strength and caused the shot to go awry. Instead of being powerful, the shot will appear aimless and ineffective. The key to toe dragging is simply placing one foot in front of the other until you get to the point where it feels natural and without effort. You should be able to feel the puck moving along with your leg as you apply force to it. If you can achieve this, you’re already well on your way to being able to shoot effectively and with confidence.
Toe dragging is one of the simplest and most accessible ways to improve your game. By knowing how to do this, you’ll be able to adjust your shot to fit any situation and won’t have to fall back on trying to trick the goalie. This will make you that much more effective on the ice and, as a result, will allow you to have fun while playing a difficult game. If you feel that this information will be useful, don’t hesitate to share it so that others can benefit from your knowledge.