The Best DIY Hockey Training Tools Around the House
By: Jordan Zauderer
Tags: DIY, Sports, Hockey, Training, Athletes

Photo Credit: Kevin Sousa Photography

Hockey has always been a tough sport to practice while away from the rink. It always felt as though no matter how hard you looked, nothing seemed to replicate that on-ice feel. There are still many ways to practice around the house, which can prove to be immensely beneficial for your on-ice performance. Off-ice training is an important aspect in improving your mobility on the ice by working on specific areas of your game one at a time; whether that be your stickhandling, shooting, balance or speed. Certain off-ice exercises can help your game in those uncomfortable moments; like being knocked off-balance, settling down a bouncing puck or batting that biscuit out of mid-air, Rob Schremp style.

Unfortunately, Covid-19 has forced the majority of ice hockey rinks to close their doors, leaving hockey players all around the world with nowhere to play. Worse than that, most sporting goods stores are closed as well. If you don’t own an outdoor net or a shooting pad, keeping that shot on point and those mitts warmed up may seem difficult. Luckily, there are some creative DIY training tools around your house that you can use to improve your hockey skills, so much so that when rinks open up again and you go skate with your buddies, they’ll be thinking you were training in Russia this whole time.

#1 — The Golf Ball

VANCOUVER, CANADA — OCTOBER 22: Justin Falk #41 of the Minnesota Wild practices his stickhandling before their game against the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena on October 22, 2010 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Jeff Vinnick/NHLI via Getty Images)

Stickhandling with a golf ball is the oldest pregame warmup in the book. Work on your hands in the garage or in the living room, place some cups or dog toys on the floor and perfect that toe drag. Try keeping your head up and not looking down at the ball, move around and hell, rip a shot off the wall if you want.

#2 — The Extra Weight

This one can be customizable depending on your preference.

Tape 2 pucks to the bottom of your stick, on each side, right above the blade, to add a little bit of weight. Doing this will increase your wrist strength and improve your stickhandling, shot, and overall stick strength. Stick handle with a golf ball while your weight is added to your stick. After a few minutes take them off and you will already feel a difference.

#3 — The Balance Beam

This can be done in your driveway or any curb you can find. This once comes right out of Ryan O-Reilly’s summer training. Find a curb to balance walk across while holding your hockey stick, weighted or unweighted. Practice being off balance and recovering. Get used to staying steady on one foot, and change direction. Once you get better, try stickhandling while walking across.

#4 — The Tennis Ball

This can be anything you don’t mind juggling with your stick, a tennis ball has always worked well for me. Bounce a tennis ball on your blade to work on your hand-eye coordination. Go

forehand to backhand, go blade to shaft, change up the patterns and don’t be afraid to incorporate your feet. Part of hockey training is working on all aspects of athleticism. Hit the tennis ball off the wall for a more intense version.

#5 — The Wall Juggle

This one is good for goalies looking to keep their reaction time on point. Grab 2 or 3 bouncy balls or tennis balls and stand about 5 feet away from a wall. Throw the ball against the wall and catch it with the same hand. Go at a comfortable speed, then catch the ball with the opposite hand you throw with. Feeling comfortable? Shuffle side to side and you throw and catch the balls to incorporate some movement.

These 5 easy DIY at home training exercises will keep you ready to return to play once your season starts back up. Until then, stay safe and get out as much as you can. Playing other sports can also contribute to your on-ice abilities and any form of exercise is always a plus.