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In Ice Hockey, as you are
surely aware, the change of direction using the quick stop (both
forward and backward) is a vital fundamental. You must
consistently work on and practice this very difficult skill, no
matter what your level of play, in order to see marked
improvement. As well, you are going to need to do your share of
falling down when practicing. But do not look on this as a
failure, in fact just the opposite, this means that you are
getting closer to stopping properly now that you are breaking
out of your comfort zone.
Tips:
1. Bend your knees so deep, that it feels like your going to sit
your butt back on the ice.
2. Keep your eyes forward, your chin up and your back straight.
3. Be sure to turn your hips 90 degrees (a 1-turn) from the
direction you were traveling, with both skates turning at the
same time.
4. The outside skate slides along the top of the ice on an
inside edge, with the snow coming off the middle-front part of
the skate (the ball of your foot).
5. The inside skate trails the outside one and also slides on
top of the ice but on an outside edge. Again, the snow should be
coming off the middle-front part of the edge.
6. Your feet should be wide and staggered at this point (not
parallel), with the inside foot in front of the outside foot by
a full skate length or more
7. Your feet should be wide apart from each other (at least
shoulder distance) and also wide as in staggered or uneven.
8. The bodyweight should be distributed with the greater
percentage to the outside skate (inside edge). If not, and you
have too much weight over the inside foot (outside edge), than
the skates will slide out from under you causing you to fall or
lose your balance.
9. Be sure to counterbalance the stop with your upper body, by
keeping your shoulders parallel to the ice, rather than leaning
or dropping the inside shoulder down towards the ice.
Skating Imagery:
When performing the hockey stop, it is important that you think
of it more as a Hockey Slide first, and a Hockey Stop second. In
other words, do not put the cart before the horse. Too many
players think they can come to a screeching stop as if they are
changing directions on a basketball court, for example. However,
when you watch the most skilled stoppers in the N.H.L., such as
Steve Yzerman or Paul Kariya, in slow-motion, you will realize
that they actually slide there skates along the top of the ice
before they come to a stop. And finally, when teaching the art
of the Hockey Stop, inevitably someone asks the question about
why one stopping side is stronger than the other (it should be
noted that every pro player I have ever worked with has a weaker
side, not only when stopping, but turning, etc., as well). The
only way we have found to make your bad side stronger is to work
harder on it and not to ignore it just because it becomes
frustrating. But to take that one step further, really try to
focus and concentrate on exactly what it is you do on your good
side that allows you to perform the maneuver well. Once you have
the steps sorted out in your head, it should then be easier for
you to transfer those same techniques to your weaker side, as
well.
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