The OPEN HIP, or OPEN FEET commonly known as 10 & 2, and the CLOSED HIP maneuvers are essentially the same technique that are applied in different situations. In this Breakdown we discuss the Open Hip technique.
It is a terrific skill which uses deception which affords elusiveness, escape-ability and puck protection which ultimately, makes players more effective and dangerous.
When performing, there are several keys to success, but they both fundamentally depend on hip mobility your ability to get on the inside edges of on both skates.
Points of emphasis:
- HEAD UP
- BUTT DOWN
- HIPS BACK
- KNEES BENT
Critical Elements:
- Point front skate (toes/knee) pointed in the direction you want to go.
- Keeping shoulders square, head up, butt down, hips back and knees bent, rotate/push your back foot – USING INSIDE EDGE -- to open your hips gain the 10-2 position.
- Propel off your back foot inside edge by pushing, C-cut, or resuming stride.
Effectively, the key to the success is deception, or your ability to “SELL” the defender, and manipulate his feet and stick. As you see can see in the video examples, by pausing, hesitating, delaying, and selling the cutback, by opening/closing their hips, they create a brief moment of indecision by the defender which they then exploit.
Lets Break it Down!
Spooner maintains speed as he opens up his hips. This freezes the defense for a split second and allows Spooner to get behind the defender.
In this clip Crosby uses open hips to receive pass on his forehand while maintaining speed. He is able to get off a shot with no stickhandles after receiving the pass.
Another example opening up hips to receive pass while maintaining speed and getting puck into shooting position. All in one fluid motion without having to use any stickhandles.
In this clip he is using Open Hips to protect the puck and extend his reach until he can get off a clean shot.
A compilation of using open hips to extend reach, protect the puck, accelerate using tight turns. AMAZING!
Supporting Drills
Crosby example. Place a stick shaft on the ice. Using the 10-2 techniques, rotate around stick, riding your inside edges. Object is to stay in the 10-2 position continuously by pushing off back skate. Should be done in both directions with and without puck. As you matriculate, try to be creative with the puck.
Object is to 10&2 and ride your inside edges 270-360 degrees around the stick before opening up and advancing to the next level. Start slowly, and work to ride the edge as LONG as possible. Alternate directions (counterclockwise /clockwise) at each level.
Object is to 10&2 270-360 degrees around each stick as you move up the ladder. As you approach each stick (object) you open your front foot (and subsequently, your hips) and ride your inside edges beyond 360 degrees before transitioning to the next “level” and opening the opposite direction. around the stick while handling the puck. As you matriculate, try to be creative with the puck. Be sure to go in both clockwise and counterclockwise!
Set up pucks or small tires like a 5 on a dice. Starting on the outside of the circle, skate to the center spot and 10&2 around.
Two players line up at the “top” and “bottom” of the shaft. On the whistle player A chases player B. Can change directions but must continue to utilize the 10 & 2 technique.
Special Notes
For the skating open ice drills, slowly working on the movement and mechanical technique of your movements is key. Start slowly and work with the simple skating drills, both with and without the puck to master the concepts.
Learn how this same skill can be used as a puck protection technique (Closed Hips Skill Breakdown).
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