Using Puck Deception to Improve Your Game

5 ways puck deception helps make you more productive on the ice

By Brian Keane, Prodigy Hockey

As the game of hockey continues to evolve, it is becoming more and more important for players to have elite puck deception and hockey sense. Learning to be deceptive with the puck is a must for those looking to produce consistent offense at all levels.

Thinking Ahead of the Play

Anticipating the developing action on the ice is the key concept here. Thinking ahead of the play with the puck is when you lead your opponent to think you’re doing one thing while you intend to do another. You always want to be one step ahead of your opponent; this is the stuff that makes the Wayne Gretzkys, Patrick Kanes, and Johnny Gaudreaus of the world so lethal!

Here are 5 ways you can use puck deception and start to play like the pros:

1 – Use your eyes When passing or shooting, sometimes the best way to deceive your opponent is to look one way and pass or shoot the other way. The top players in the National Hockey League are constantly using their eyes to their advantage.

2 – Disguise your speed Skating at the same speed all of the time is very predictable; at the higher levels of play everyone can skate well enough to match and angle you. That’s why it’s crucial that you use crossovers or small bursts within your linear stride to change the pace of your skating.

3 – Proper positioning of your feet Use the positioning of your feet to give defenders the idea you are turning one way when in fact your intention is to go the opposite way.

4 – Position the puck Look to send the puck to an area where you have multiple options (double or triple threat)—where you can shoot or pass.

5 – Use the “10 and 2” skating technique (also called the “Mohawk”) to give yourself multiple layers of deception.

Brian Keane is the founder of Prodigy Hockey, a website dedicated to helping educate players, coaches and parents on the great game of hockey. Reproduced with permission of Prodigy Hockey.