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Stick Checking Stick checking is the act of momentarily jarring the opponent's stick out of the puck to let the athlete put his or her own stick inside of the puck. Stick checking is the most effective way to take the puck away from an opponent.   Your Athlete Can: Never Sometimes Often Pick up stick and put proper end on ground Grip the stick with one hand controlling stick Grip the stick with two hands controlling stick Move stick from one side of body to the other while moving Change grip to accommodate next move Identify the opponent with the puck Move the bottom end of the stick under the opponent's stick Lift the opponent's stick out of the puck Place his/her own stick in the puck Control the puck after taking possession           Teaching the Skill Instruct your athlete to move toward the athlete with the puck. Have the athlete move the bottom of his or her stick under the opposing athlete's stick and make a short upward or sideways movement, dislodging the other athlete's stick from the center of the puck. The athlete then places his or her own stick in the puck, gaining control from the other athlete/team. Sometimes the puck will travel away from the athletes after the controlling stick is dislodged. Show your athlete how to follow it and take possession on the "move."   Teaching Points It is important that as the opponent's stick is hit, the athlete does not allow his or her own stick to "high-stick." Teach the athlete how to keep the stick low.   Key Words "Stick check" "Underneath" "Lift their stick" "Keep your stick low" "Get the puck"   Coaching Tips Stick checking can be done face-to-face, or your athlete can come up from behind and stick check from beside the opposing athlete. As both athletes are moving in the same direction, the puck will definitely be "loose," and your athlete will need to follow it to retrieve it.   Faults & Fixes   Common Mistakes Correction Drill Reference Athlete stick checks his or her own teammate Teach athlete to only stick check an opponent One on One Stick Check Drill High stick from missed stick check Keep tip of stick below waist height Limbo Stick Drill Athlete slashes opponent rather than performing a stick check Teach athlete to have an upward or sideways movement of stick Musical Sticks Drill Gauntlet Drill One on One Stick Check Drill

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