How to hold a hockey stick correctly? Popular grip styles for hockey sticks

Are you looking to improve your hockey skills by learning how to hold a hockey stick correctly? From an early age, most hockey players learn the fundamentals of how to properly handle and use their sticks. But as you develop into a better player, it is important that you understand the different techniques used to hold your stick efficiently.

In this blog post, Adam Matter will give techniques that are so important when holding a hockey stick, and provide popular grip styles for hockey sticks.

How to hold a hockey stick correctly?

Have you ever wondered how to hold a hockey stick properly?  The way you hold your stick affects the power and accuracy of each shot, so it’s important to make sure you have a proper grip. Here are three steps to help you learn how to hold a hockey stick correctly:

Step 1: Place your top hand

The top hand (closest to your head) should be about a third of the way down from the top of the stick. Your hand should be centered on the shaft and your fingers should wrap around it so your thumb is facing down toward the ice.

Step 2: Position your bottom hand

Your bottom hand should grip about a quarter of the way up from the bottom of the stick and should be further away from your body than your top hand. Your fingers wrap around the shaft, and your thumb points upward toward the ceiling.

Step 3: Place both your hand on the stick

With both your hands in place, make sure that the bottom of the hockey stick is about waist-high and evenly balanced between your two hands. Your elbows should be slightly bent, but not too much, so you don’t lose power when shooting.

Popular grip styles for hockey sticks

Basic grip

The basic grip is the most common grip used. To use this grip, place your dominant hand near the top of the shaft and your other hand at the bottom of the shaft. Make sure that you are holding the stick loosely with both hands to give yourself more control over how it moves.

Knob grip

If you want more power and control over your shot, the knob grip may be for you. To use this grip, place your dominant hand at the very bottom of the shaft and wrap your other hand around the knob or top of the stick. This will give you more leverage and control when shooting or checking.

Reverse grip

The reverse grip is often used by defensemen to give them more control when blocking shots and defending the goal. You do it by putting your stronger hand near the top of the stick while your other hand covers the lower part. This grip gives you more stability and control over how you move with the puck.

Two-handed grip

The two-handed grip is often used by goalies as it gives them a better range of motion and control over their stick. To use this grip, place both hands near the top of the shaft and wrap your fingers around the knob. This grip will give you more control when trapping or redirecting shots.

Double-V

Players who want a combination of power and control in their shots use the Double-V Grip. To use this grip, place your dominant hand at the top of the shaft and your other hand near the bottom. Wrap both hands around the stick in a V formation and make sure that they are gripping firmly but not too tightly. This grip will give you more power and accuracy when shooting.

No matter which grip style you choose to use, make sure it is comfortable and makes sense for your playing style. Different grips are best used for different positions and situations, so experiment with each one to find out which works best for you.

Can a lefty use a righty hockey stick?

Not yet, If you’re playing field hockey, you don’t have much of a choice. But when you play ice hockey, you should always use a stick that matches your stronger hand.

The curves on left-handed and right-handed hockey sticks differ. If you use it in the wrong hand, you won’t have complete control of the hockey stick. That can make fast plays incredibly perplexing, at least until you get some practice.

Which hand is it that should be on top?

Because the dominant hand typically possesses more power, it is customarily positioned on top of the hockey stick. The non-dominant hand is typically positioned underneath the stick. But, in hockey, the power required to produce a shot is typically comes from leaning into the stick.

As a result, the necessity for dominant-hand strength is lessened, and the dominant hand’s ability to execute fine movements is required on the top end of the stick.

Greatest tips to practice hockey stick handling skills

Use your top hand to cup the heel of the stick, with your thumb pointing down and your middle finger tucked underneath the butt-end of the shaft.

Move your bottom hand far enough away from your top hand so that you can still control the stick. Your knuckles should be facing upward. If you hold it too close to your top hand, you will not be able to move the stick independently.

Keep your hands and arms relaxed while handling the stick. This will help you maintain control and improve your accuracy when passing or shooting.

Perform dribbling drills that involve using your top and bottom hands together to navigate the stick around an obstruction or defender.

Add “puck touches” to your practice sessions to get better at handling and passing the puck with control. This drill involves lightly tapping the puck between your feet while keeping it close to the toe of your hockey stick.

Improve accuracy by practicing shooting drills at varying speeds and distances. Keep your eyes on the puck, follow through, and change your shooting pace dependent on the distance from the net.

Focus on having quick hands when passing or receiving a pass from another player. Good hand-eye coordination is essential for passing and receiving the puck with precision.

By using these tips, hockey players can improve how they use their sticks and become faster and more accurate on the ice.

How to improve your top and bottom hands if you’re not right or left-handed?

If you’re not left or right-handed, it can be a bit more tricky to get the grip on your hockey stick right.

When it comes to hockey sticks, practice truly does make perfect, as is the case with the majority of things in life. So get some ice time in and pay attention to what your stick is telling you.

When you move it on the ice, if it makes a sound like a deafening roar, you are relying too much on your hand which is not your dominant hand. The top hand moves handles, and coordinates the stick, while the bottom hand supports and generates power through flex.

To improve your top hand, try to keep it in the same position that you would if you were writing. Your wrist should be slightly bent, and your index finger should be curled around the shaft of the stick. The grip should be loose enough for you to move your hand freely, but tight enough that it does not slip off.

Your bottom hand should be about halfway up the shaft of the stick, and your fingers should be spread out with your thumb slightly curled around it. Again, the grip should be loose enough that you can move your hand freely but tight enough to avoid slippage.

FAQs: How to hold a hockey stick correctly?

Should you shoot a hockey stick with both hands?

While you should have no trouble handling the puck/ball with one hand, when taking a shot, you should put as much power behind it as possible. Using both arms is the only way to get a lot of power behind a shot.

How do you dribble with a hockey stick?

While dribbling a puck, always use two hands on the stick. If you can’t reach the puck without having two hands on the stick, you don’t have control of it. You must put it under control as quickly as possible.

How do you tackle with a hockey stick when playing?

Of course, you can intercept with one hand on your stick (always your dominant hand), but this is typically done when you are attempting to move the puck away from the goal.

Are field hockey and ice hockey sticks held similarly?

Yes, although the only side of a field hockey stick that may be used to control the ball is the flat side, you must grip the stick in the same manner as an ice hockey stick. This means your dominant hand should be on top of the stick.

Field hockey stick practice is the only difference. You’ll have to practice while moving since you can’t flick the ball between the sides. This is great practice because the ball will be at different distances from you, and you’ll need to control it even while running.

In 1908, field hockey was introduced to the summer Olympic games at London, with women’s competition added in 1980. Created in 1993, when the Field Hockey Association of America and the United States Field Hockey Association merged, USA Field Hockey maintains teams to represent the nation at international competitions (including the Olympics), provides programs and events designed to further awareness of the sport, and creates opportunities for aspiring players. For the 2010 season, the Women’s National Team had four players from the University of Maryland. Unlike ice hockey, there is no equivelent field event for the Paralympic games.

As cited by: https://msa.maryland.gov/

Conclusion

In the end, hockeyheritage.org hopes this article has provided you with a solid understanding of the different types of hockey sticks and how to hold a hockey stick correctly. what are you waiting for? Let’s visit our website to more know the knowledge about hockey!