The purpose of practice #1 is to teach all the basics of checking. Day #1 is meant to be slow and controlled to give the players the ability to feel their way through this new skill and overcome any fears they might have.

• Starts with focusing on base of support and staying low.
• Followed by a basic checking mechanics drill.
• Next, we dive into the idea that the best way to protect yourself and the puck is hit the player before they hit you.
• After that we move into boards checking and hitting through a player's hands to separate them from the puck.
• Then lastly, we finish with a simple drill that stresses the 2 purposes checking.

• View Course Overview
• Practice # 1 - Learning The Basics (Currently Viewing)
• Practice # 2 - Weight Shifting & Playing In Contact 
• Practice # 3 - Puck Protection & Intro To Angling
• Practice # 4 - The Skill of Angling & Creating Turnovers
• Practice # 5 - Defensive Footwork, Angling & Body Contact

A special thank you to Mark Zarbo for creating this course for the IHS community. Make sure to visit Mark Zarbo's Contributor page to learn more, and connect with Mark.