The video provides foundational tips for young hockey players to improve their forehand and backhand passing skills, focusing on blade positioning, hand placement, weight transfer, and adding deception.
Coaching Points:
- Blade Control: Keep the blade slightly cupped to maintain a flat and accurate pass. Avoid an open blade to prevent puck flutter.
- Hand Placement: Ensure hands are hip-width apart for optimal control and power. Avoid hands being too close or too far apart.
- Forehand Passing: Start with the puck on the heel, push through to the middle of the blade, and follow through with a controlled motion.
- Backhand Passing: Use a pulling motion with the top hand while maintaining a cupped blade. Focus on transferring weight through bent knees for power.
- Snap Passes: Incorporate a "snap" motion from toe to middle of the blade for crisp, hard passes, maintaining blade cupping for accuracy.
- Deception: Add fakes and misdirection to passes by looking one way and passing another, helping to develop game-ready evasiveness.
- Target Awareness: Always keep your head up, identify a target, and follow through towards it for better accuracy and consistency.
