What Is the Correct Way to Hold a Hockey Stick?

Holding a hockey stick in the correct stance is a fundamental skill taught to all new hockey players. The hockey stance, in which the stick is one of the most vital components, must be mastered to excel in the sport. Once you learn the stance with a correct grasp of the stick, you can work on all other hockey skills through constant reliance on the fundamental hockey stance.

Instructions

    • 1

      Tape around the top of your hockey stick, creating a slight nub at the very end. This tape job should measure down the shaft of the stick to the length of your hand.

    • 2

      Flip the stick over and tape the blade. Begin closer to the heel of the blade and move toward the tip. It takes a great deal of practice and experience to find the perfect tape job for your blade.

    • 3

      Return the stick to its proper position with the blade on the ice. Place one hand at the top of your stick over the first tape job. Your little finger should be on the small nub at the end of the shaft. This hand does not move during play and holds the stick tightly.

    • 4

      Place your other hand on the stick further down the shaft with your thumb closer to the blade than your little finger of the same hand.

    • 5

      Lift the stick in the air. Still holding the stick with both hands, place the elbow of the lower arm on your thumb of the upper hand. If you need to adjust up the stick so that your lower elbow meets your upper thumb, do so. Not moving your lower hand, stretch the stick out in front of you. This is the distance that your hands should be held apart when playing--the length of your forearm.

    • 6

      Return the blade to the ice with both hands still on the stick in the same position. You will have to bend a little to do this. Bend your knees, bend your back to a 60-degree angle (from your waist) and place the blade in front of you half way between your skates. This is the hockey stance.