Hockey Stickhandling Trainer Drills

Sweethands is an amazing hockey stickhandling trainer. If you combine this with a set of slick tiles and a durable hockey shooting tarp you get the perfect hockey training area that will help to boost your game to the top. We have put together some great training drills that you can use to beef up your stickhandling skills, all you have to do is show up for yourself and practice.

Back and Forth Deke

Place your Sweethands rails parallel on the floor in front of you about two feet apart. Start out on the far left of the rails. Slap the puck, from the outside to the right so that it goes through the first slot and into the middle of the rails. Stop the puck in the middle. Slap it back and forth three times. Slap the puck to the outside right and stop it. Now slap the puck back through from the right to the middle again and repeat the back and forth three times. Slap it back out to the outside left and stop it. Now, move upward through the spaces on the rails until you reach the top farthest away from you. When you reach the top space of the rails, slap the puck to the outside right and deke a shot into the target of your choice on the hockey tarp.

Figure Eight Deke

Place the Sweethands rails in front of you horizontally parallel approximately three feet apart. Make sure that they are between you and your shooting tarp. Start out in front of the first rail with your puck. Maneuver yourself, your stick, and your puck around the first rail, in between the two rails. Direct your puck to the opposite side of the rails diagonally so that you curve in a an almost “S” motion. Bring the puck back around and over the top of the top rail and criss-cross it back over diagonally. Bring the puck back into the center, then back around. This will bring your puck around in a figure “8” from the bottom, across the middle, over the top, and back down again. Do the first one slowly, then build up your speed. When you build your speed up, go through the drill up to the top of the “8” then take your deke shot into the hockey tarp goal.

The Hop Deke

This drill only calls for one Sweethands rail. Place the rail in front of you on the flooring so that the top of it is pointing at your hockey tarp. Start at the bottom of the rail with your puck to the left and your body positioned to spring. Have your puck positioned on the right side of the rails, but your body on the left. Slap the puck towards your left through the slots of the rail as you hop your body to the right side. Repeat this while you make your way to the top of the rail towards the shooting tarp. When you finish the last pass at the top, slap a deke move towards the goal and hit whatever target hole you choose.

Have Fun

Have fun and be creative. Practicing and training do not always have to be serious.  You can incorporate different drills into one drill so that you can get a broad exercise system going that strengthens multiple moves and balancing strategies. Be consistent, and stay at it. Greatness is coming your way.