The Importance of Puck Control: Drills to Improve Your Game

21 May 2025

When it comes to hockey, puck control is everything. You can have the fastest skates and the hardest slap shot, but if you can’t handle the puck effectively, your game will suffer. Great puck control means better playmaking, more scoring opportunities, and the ability to keep the opponent guessing. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned player, improving puck control should be a top priority.

In this article, we'll break down why puck control matters and provide some essential drills to sharpen your skills on the ice.

Why Puck Control is Crucial in Hockey

Puck control is the foundation of a strong offensive and defensive game. Here’s why it's so important:

1. Better Offensive Play

If you can stickhandle smoothly, you create more scoring chances. Defenders will struggle to take the puck away from you, and you’ll have more time to set up plays or take quality shots.

2. Improved Passing and Playmaking

Great puck control means crisp, accurate passes. It allows you to execute quick give-and-go plays, set up teammates for scoring chances, and support your team effectively in the offensive zone.

3. Strong Defensive Skills

Good puck handlers are also harder to dispossess. When you can shield the puck and maneuver through traffic, you frustrate opponents and maintain possession longer, which is vital for controlling the pace of the game.

4. Confidence Under Pressure

Hockey is a fast-paced game, and opponents always press hard. If you have strong puck control, you’ll remain calm even when defenders are closing in, allowing you to make smart, decisive plays.

Drills to Improve Puck Control

Now that we understand why puck control is crucial, let’s dive into drills that can take your game to the next level.

1. Stickhandling in Place

This drill is simple but fundamental.

How to do it:
- Stand still with a puck and practice moving it back and forth between your forehand and backhand.
- Keep your head up to simulate game situations where you need to scan the ice.
- Increase speed gradually while maintaining control.

🔹 Pro Tip: Use a golf ball or a smaller puck for practice—this forces your hands to be more precise.

2. Figure Eight Stickhandling

This drill enhances your ability to move the puck around obstacles smoothly.

How to do it:
- Set up two pucks or cones about a foot apart.
- Stickhandle the puck in a figure-eight motion around them.
- Focus on soft hands and quick adjustments.

🔹 Pro Tip: Keep your knees bent and shift your weight as you move for better balance and control.

3. Toe Drag Drill

The toe drag is great for protecting the puck and deking defenders.

How to do it:
- Pull the puck towards your body using the toe of your blade.
- Quickly push it in another direction to escape pressure.
- Repeat at different speeds and angles.

🔹 Pro Tip: Practice this at game speed to make it second nature.

4. One-Handed Control Drill

Top players can handle the puck even with one hand—this drill strengthens your grip and control.

How to do it:
- Skate up and down the ice while controlling the puck with one hand on your stick.
- Switch hands and repeat.

🔹 Pro Tip: This drill improves arm strength and balance, so don’t skip it!

5. Cone Weaving Drill

This helps you improve puck control while moving at speed.

How to do it:
- Set up a line of cones several feet apart.
- Stickhandle through them while keeping the puck close to your blade.
- Repeat at increasing speeds.

🔹 Pro Tip: Try using only your backhand to make the drill harder and improve your weak side.

6. Under-the-Stick Drill

This drill simulates game situations where you must maneuver under an opponent’s stick.

How to do it:
- Have a teammate (or use an obstacle) hold a stick in front of you at knee height.
- Stickhandle under and around it without losing control.

🔹 Pro Tip: Use quick wrist movements and keep the puck close.

7. Speed Stickhandling Drill

Improving speed and agility with the puck is crucial for game situations.

How to do it:
- Set a timer and rapidly stickhandle in one direction, then quickly change to another.
- Challenge yourself to increase speed without losing control.

🔹 Pro Tip: Try this while keeping your head up to simulate real-game awareness.

8. Obstacle Course Drill

This is an advanced drill that incorporates agility, stickhandling, and reaction time.

How to do it:
- Set up an obstacle course using cones, sticks, and other barriers.
- Stickhandle through the course while maintaining full control.
- Time yourself and aim to improve with each run.

🔹 Pro Tip: Mix in quick turns and sudden stops to replicate real-game situations.

How to Incorporate These Drills Into Your Routine

Now that you have a list of drills, practice is key! Here’s how you can structure your training for maximum improvement:

🕐 Daily Stickhandling Warm-up – Spend at least 10 minutes before practice working on stationary stickhandling.

🏒 On-Ice Practice – Integrate three to four of these drills into your regular training sessions.

💪 Challenge Yourself – Increase difficulty by adding speed, resistance (like a defender), or working with a weighted puck.

🎯 Track Your Progress – Record your times and errors to monitor improvement.

Final Thoughts

Mastering puck control isn’t just about fancy tricks—it’s about becoming a more confident, effective player. Whether you're setting up plays, dangling past defenders, or protecting the puck under pressure, these drills will elevate your game.

So, grab your stick, hit the ice (or your driveway), and start practicing. The more time you spend refining your puck control skills, the better player you’ll become. Think of it like sharpening a knife—the more precise and polished your movements, the deadlier you’ll be on the ice.

### Keep practicing, keep pushing, and soon enough, you’ll be stickhandling like a pro!