Passing is a fundamental skill in hockey. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced player, learning how to execute the perfect push pass can significantly improve your game. In this step-by-step guide, we will show you everything you need to know to teach your hockey team how to master the push pass.
With the right technique, the push pass can be one of the most accurate and efficient ways to move the puck. In this guide, we’ll take you through the basics of push passing and show you how to get the right stance and grip on your stick. We’ll also teach you how to generate power for longer passes and show you some drills to improve your skills.
Whether you’re a coach or a player, this guide will help you develop your skills and take your game to the next level. So, let’s get started and learn how to master the art of the push pass in hockey!
Table of Contents
Master the Basics of Push Passing
If you’re looking to improve your hockey team’s passing game, learning how to push pass is essential. While it may seem like a simple skill, mastering the basics of push passing takes time and practice. But don’t worry, with the right technique and training, you can teach your team how to execute the perfect push pass every time.
One of the most important things to remember when push passing is to keep your eyes up and your head on a swivel. By keeping your head up, you can see your teammates and anticipate their movements, allowing you to make more accurate passes. Another important factor is your body position. Make sure you are facing your target and that your feet are shoulder-width apart for better balance.
When holding the stick, it’s crucial to have the right grip. Hold the stick with your top hand about halfway down the stick, and your bottom hand at the very bottom. Make sure to keep your top hand loose to generate power, while your bottom hand provides stability and control. The blade of the stick should be flat on the ice, and angled slightly downward toward the target.
When you’re ready to make the pass, push forward with your top hand while pulling back with your bottom hand. This will generate power and cause the blade of the stick to flex, propelling the puck forward with speed and accuracy. Remember to follow through with your hands and blade to get the most power and accuracy.
It’s important to practice push passing regularly to hone your skills. Start with simple passes back and forth with a partner, then move on to more complex passes in game-like situations. As you and your team improve, you’ll be able to execute push passes with ease and precision, improving your team’s passing game and overall performance.
With the right techniques and plenty of practice, you can master the basics of push passing and take your team’s game to the next level. Keep reading to learn more tips and drills for improving your push passing skills!
Understand the Purpose of the Push Pass
Before you start practicing your push pass, it’s important to understand its purpose. A push pass is used to move the puck quickly and accurately across the ice, usually to a teammate. It’s a fundamental skill that every hockey player should master to become an effective team player. Push passes can be used in a variety of situations, including breakouts, power plays, and even penalty kills.
Accuracy and speed are two critical components of the push pass. The pass should be delivered accurately, so your teammate can receive the puck with ease. It should also be done with speed, so the opposing team doesn’t have time to intercept it. A well-executed push pass can quickly change the momentum of a game in your team’s favor.
There are a few different types of push passes you can use, including the forehand push pass, backhand push pass, and saucer pass. Each one has its own advantages and disadvantages, depending on the situation. As you practice your push passing, you’ll learn when to use each type of pass and how to execute them effectively.
It’s essential to remember that body positioning and weight transfer play a significant role in the push pass. You need to be in the correct stance, with your feet shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent, and weight on the balls of your feet. When you transfer your weight forward onto your front foot, you generate more power, making your pass stronger and faster. By mastering the basics of body positioning and weight transfer, you’ll be able to execute push passes more efficiently.
Communication is also critical when it comes to push passing. You need to be aware of your teammates’ positions on the ice, and they need to be aware of yours. Clear and concise communication can help you execute more effective passes and avoid turnovers that could result in a goal for the opposing team. Always be vocal and let your teammates know when you’re open and ready to receive a pass.
By understanding the purpose of the push pass and mastering its basics, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a more effective hockey player. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro, taking the time to perfect your push pass will help you take your game to the next level.
Get the Right Stance and Grip on Your Stick
Having the right stance and grip on your stick is essential for mastering the push pass. Start by standing with your feet shoulder-width apart and your knees slightly bent. This will give you stability and balance while making a pass. Next, place your top hand about halfway down the stick, with your bottom hand near the end of the stick. This will give you control over the blade and allow you to generate power for the pass. Remember to keep your elbows tucked in and your head up to see where you’re passing.
It’s important to note that there are different variations of the grip, and you should experiment to find what works best for you. Some players prefer a longer grip with both hands close together, while others prefer a shorter grip with their hands spread apart. Try different variations until you find what feels most comfortable for you.
Additionally, your stick blade should be angled slightly downward towards the ice. This will help keep the puck low and on the ice, making it easier for your teammate to receive the pass. Remember to keep the blade square to the target and follow through with your pass for accuracy.
Positioning Your Feet Correctly
When it comes to push passing in hockey, your feet play a crucial role in maintaining balance and generating power. To get the most out of your push pass, you need to ensure your feet are in the correct position.
Start by standing shoulder-width apart with your knees slightly bent. Make sure your weight is evenly distributed on both feet, and keep your toes pointed towards the direction you want to pass.
As you prepare to pass, shift your weight to your back foot while lifting your front foot off the ground slightly. This will help you transfer your weight forward as you push the puck.
How to Hold Your Stick for a Push Pass
When it comes to holding your stick for a push pass, there are a few things to keep in mind to ensure you get the most power and accuracy. First, grip the stick with both hands, placing your top hand above the blade and your bottom hand near the middle of the stick.
Next, make sure your hands are close together for better control of the stick. You also want to have a relaxed grip, as holding the stick too tightly can affect your accuracy and power.
When pushing the puck, use the heel of the blade for more power, while using the blade’s center will give you more accuracy. Keep your stick blade flat on the ice and follow through with your shot, pointing the blade toward your target to ensure accuracy.
Common Mistakes to Avoid with Your Grip
Having the correct grip on your stick is crucial for a successful push pass. Here are some common mistakes to avoid:
- Gripping the stick too tight: This can result in a loss of control and accuracy. Try to maintain a relaxed grip on the stick.
- Placing your hands too far apart: Your hands should be close together on the stick to provide better control and power for your passes.
- Not positioning your fingers correctly: Your top hand should have a loose grip with the fingers spread apart, while your bottom hand should be wrapped tightly around the stick.
- Keeping the stick too close to your body: This can restrict your ability to generate power and distance with your passes. Keep the stick away from your body to maximize your reach.
- Not adjusting your grip for different situations: Depending on the situation, you may need to adjust your grip on the stick. For example, if you need to make a longer pass, you may need to shift your grip towards the bottom of the stick to generate more power.
By avoiding these common grip mistakes, you can improve your push passing accuracy, power, and control on the ice.
Learn How to Generate Power for Longer Passes
Push passing is not only about accuracy but also about generating enough power to pass the puck over longer distances. The power generated in a push pass comes from your upper body and your legs.
To generate more power, you need to start with a proper wind-up. Start with the puck behind your back foot and then shift your weight to your front foot as you bring the puck forward.
As you follow through, make sure to keep your blade low to the ground and use your wrists to flick the puck forward. This will help you generate more power and keep the puck on a straight line.
Another way to generate more power is by using your legs. Bend your knees and push off with your back leg to transfer your weight onto your front leg. This will give you more power and help you make longer passes.
Remember, generating power is important, but accuracy is even more important. Make sure to practice your push pass at various distances to find the right balance between power and accuracy.
Using Your Entire Body to Generate Force
Push passing requires generating power to make a longer pass. Start by positioning your body to face your target and transfer your weight to your front foot. Rotate your torso towards your target while keeping your eye on the ball.
As you rotate your torso, pull your stick back while keeping your elbow close to your body. Next, as you push the ball forward, snap your wrist and follow through the motion by extending your arm fully. Use your leg muscles to help generate additional force.
Remember that the key to generating power is to use your entire body. The more muscle groups you use, the more force you can generate. Practicing this technique will help you become more comfortable with generating power and improving your push pass.
How to Improve Your Wrist Strength for More Power
Developing strong wrists is crucial for generating more power on your push passes. One effective exercise for improving wrist strength is wrist curls. To perform wrist curls, sit on a bench or chair with your forearm resting on a table or bench with your hand hanging off the edge. Hold a light dumbbell or weight in your hand with your palm facing up, then slowly lower the weight down and then curl it back up using only your wrist. Repeat for several reps and sets, gradually increasing the weight as you get stronger.
Another exercise that can help improve wrist strength is finger extensions. To do this exercise, sit on a chair with your forearm resting on a table or bench with your hand hanging off the edge. Hold a light weight in your hand with your palm facing down, then slowly lift the weight up by extending your fingers as far as possible. Repeat for several reps and sets, gradually increasing the weight as you get stronger.
Practicing stickhandling and passing drills can also help improve your wrist strength and overall power. Make sure to focus on using your entire body to generate force and follow through on your passes to maximize the power you generate with your wrists.
Practice Your Accuracy and Timing
Start with a stationary target: Before moving onto a moving target or passing to a teammate, practice your accuracy by aiming for a stationary target such as a cone or a designated spot on a wall. This will help you to build muscle memory and develop your aim.
Work on your timing: Timing is essential for a successful push pass. Practice timing your pass with your teammate’s movements, or if practicing alone, visualize a moving target and time your pass accordingly.
Incorporate drills: Incorporate passing drills into your practice routine to improve your accuracy and timing. There are many drills available online, such as passing through cones or a target net, that can help you improve your skills.
Experiment with different techniques: Everyone has their own style and techniques when it comes to the push pass. Experiment with different grips, foot positioning, and body positioning to find what works best for you and your playing style. Keep practicing and refining your techniques until you find what works best.
Developing Your Eye-Hand Coordination
Practice ball tracking drills: The key to developing eye-hand coordination is to be able to track the ball accurately. Start with basic drills and gradually increase the difficulty level.
Improve your reaction time: Use reaction ball drills to improve your reaction time. These drills are designed to improve your hand-eye coordination and reaction speed.
Incorporate target practice: Incorporating target practice into your training routine is a great way to improve your accuracy. Use targets of different sizes and shapes to improve your precision and aim.
Play games that challenge your coordination: Playing games like handball, squash, or racquetball can help you improve your eye-hand coordination in a fun and engaging way. These games challenge your reaction time, accuracy, and coordination in a fast-paced environment.
Improving Your Timing with a Partner
Timing is key in field hockey, and practicing with a partner can help improve your timing and coordination on the field. One drill you can do with a partner is passing the ball back and forth while both of you are on the move. This drill will help you get used to receiving and passing the ball while in motion, which is essential in game situations.
Another way to improve your timing with a partner is by practicing 2-on-1 situations. In this drill, one player acts as the defender and the other two as attackers. The attackers must work together to pass the ball past the defender and score a goal. This drill will help you develop your timing and communication skills with your teammates.
Another drill to try with a partner is the mirror drill. In this drill, you and your partner stand facing each other, and one of you leads while the other mirrors their movements. You can use this drill to practice stick skills and develop your hand-eye coordination.
Discover Drills to Improve Your Push Passing Skills
Push passing is a fundamental skill in field hockey that requires practice and repetition to master. The following drills can help you improve your push passing skills and become a more accurate and efficient passer on the field.
Wall Pass Drill: This drill involves passing the ball against a wall, which helps you work on your accuracy and control. Stand a few feet away from the wall, and push the ball with your stick towards the wall. When the ball bounces back, receive it and push it again. Repeat the drill while moving laterally or diagonally, depending on your preference.
Two-Person Passing Drill: This drill requires a partner to practice passing and receiving. Stand a few yards apart, and pass the ball back and forth using push passes. Try to maintain control and accuracy while increasing the distance between you and your partner.
Cone Drill: This drill helps you work on your passing accuracy while under pressure. Set up a course of cones, and weave in and out of them while pushing the ball with your stick. Focus on passing the ball accurately between the cones without hitting them.
Passing Relay
Passing relay is a great drill for improving push passing accuracy and speed. Divide your team into two lines facing each other about 20 yards apart. The first player from one line passes to the first player on the other line, who then passes to the second player on their own team, and so on. The last player in each line runs to the front and the drill continues.
Make sure players are using proper technique and focusing on accuracy and speed. You can vary the distance between the two lines to make the drill more challenging or easier, depending on the skill level of your players. This drill is great for building teamwork and communication skills as well as improving push passing skills.
Challenge your players by setting a time limit and seeing how many passes they can complete in that time. You can also add in extra challenges, like requiring each player to do a certain number of toe taps before passing or making them pass with their weaker foot.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a push pass in hockey?
A push pass in hockey is a technique used to move the ball quickly and accurately to a teammate by pushing the ball with the blade of the stick rather than hitting it. It’s an essential skill that players need to learn and master.
What are the basic steps to teach push pass in hockey?
The basic steps to teach push pass in hockey are to first demonstrate the proper technique, including the stance, hand position, and blade angle. Then have players practice the technique in a stationary position before incorporating movement. Finally, progress to more advanced drills and game-like situations.
What are some common mistakes players make when learning the push pass?
Common mistakes players make when learning the push pass include using the wrong hand position, not keeping the blade of the stick in contact with the ball, and not following through with the pass. It’s important to correct these mistakes early on to avoid developing bad habits.
How can coaches make push pass drills more engaging and fun for players?
Coaches can make push pass drills more engaging and fun for players by incorporating games and competitions that require the use of the push pass. For example, players could compete to see who can complete the most consecutive passes without dropping the ball or who can pass the ball through a series of cones in the shortest amount of time.
How can coaches assess their players’ push pass skills?
Coaches can assess their players’ push pass skills by observing their technique during drills and game situations. They can also use video analysis to provide visual feedback and help players identify areas for improvement.
How important is the push pass in hockey?
The push pass is an essential skill in hockey as it allows players to move the ball quickly and accurately, which is crucial for maintaining possession and creating scoring opportunities. Players who have mastered the push pass are often considered valuable assets to their team.