How to Do a Mohawk Pivot in Ice Hockey

The Mohawk pivot is a vital maneuver for hockey defensemen to do. The move allows you to keep yourself between your net and the opponent who is carrying the puck. After pivoting, the defenseman can skate backwards with his stick in front of him, ready to poke away the puck from his opponent. He can get into position to cut off the best attack angles of the opposing forward and take away possible passing lanes, too.

Instructions

    • 1

      Skate forward with your head up and your stick stretched out in front of you to hurry back on defense.

    • 2

      Swing your hips clockwise and rotate your right leg around to initiate the pivot. Transfer weight to your left leg while you place your right leg onto the ice to your right.

    • 3

      Stride onto your right skate when your body is half turned and the skate is facing the opposite direction from where it started in. Slightly lift your left skate until it is facing the opposite direction from where it started.

    • 4

      Bring your inside shoulder back and plant both your skates.