All posts by Nathan Leslie
Common Tight Turn Mistakes
As I’ve been focusing this week’s skating instruction on various types of tight turns, I’ve seen three common mistakes pop up at every level we teach.
Why a Hockey Player Needs Summer Camp: The Math
Let’s look at some numbers. A typical recreation player during a season gets 1 practice per week. A season runs September to end of February with a short break in December. […]
Video: Chaos in the Pucks Drill
Drills that create chaotic situations and force players to adjust to oncoming traffic help simulate game situations. Even the pros do this simple drill.
Video: The Crossover
Smooth and efficient crossovers allow a player to change direction while maintaining speed. Here are the keys: Keep your blades flat on the ice as long as possible. Keep your […]
Video: Winning Face-offs
There are many different strategies for winning face-offs. In any of these, body and stick positioning are very critical in maximizing stability and strength. Watching the referee’s hand is the key to timing the face-off as well. This simple short video gives just a few tips to increase your chance of winning a face-off. Good luck!
Great Skating Makes a Difference
I sometimes wonder if skating experts, or “Power Skating” coaches don’t try to invent their own list of skating tip priorities as a marketing angle. If you search out some of the leading teachers online they all have certain points they emphasize, and a surprising number of them contradict each other.
Hockey Brings the Family Together
In October 2002, I experienced a family hockey moment very unique and precious to my family. It was the last year of the British Superleague, in a game between the […]
Setting Up A One Timer
The keys to making great contact on a one timer include dropping your bottom hand, rotating the stick to close the blade, getting your nose over top of the point […]
Get Outside
If you are human, the hockey season can feel long. One week blends into the next, and one rink parking lot starts to look like every other one. As days grow dark more quickly, a 6 a.m. practice can feel like it must be a 10 p.m. practice. You are not alone.
Scoop the Puck
You may have seen players attempt this trick many times. Here is a quick tutorial of how it’s done. Now try it in overtime from behind the net and score […]
Stick Handling 101
Nate Leslie welcomes you back to the hockey season with this video of tips and tricks to stick handling. Arguably one of the most valuable skills in the game, proper technique […]
