(Transcribed from How to Play Hockey: Our Minor Hockey Coaching Course.)
Now there are many different ways to take a faceoff depending on where you want to put the puck. But there’s some common themes you need to know, that are widely used.
- Get wide and low so in your legs so that you’re strong on your stick and balanced.
- You can hold your stick normally or you can turn it over.
- If I turn my hand over I’m showing the other centerman where I’m taking the puck.
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I’m watching the linesman’s hand and I go. This fraction of a second I see his/her hand move, that’s when I go! Oftentimes times with the winger on the wall, I might keep my hand in normal position and try to push it to the wall side. The lower you get and the stronger you get, the better chance you have of winning. Make sure you apply pressure to the ice because you’re fighting the strength of your opposing C. One thing I like to do personally is bend my stick down a little bit so as I’m pressing down I’m also cutting back with the edge of my blade.
Those are a couple tips to take a faceoff…Check out the video for a more detailed visual break down!
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