How to Do a Poke Check in Ice Hockey

In ice hockey, checking simply means keeping a player contained and in check so that he will not get away from you. It only results in a penalty when a check is intended to physically injure another player. A poke check, on the other hand, is legal, and requires no body contact between players. Here's how you can do a poke check while playing hockey.

Instructions

    • 1

      Skate near your opponent who has the puck. A poke check is done by a player who is trying to steal the puck from another one; so you'll need to be within a stick's reach from the puck.

    • 2

      Wait for the player with the puck to make a small mistake. All you need is for the player to push the puck out a little too far in front of him or to fail to guard the puck for one second.

    • 3

      Use the blade of your hockey stick to poke the puck away from your opponent. A poke check should be a simple jabbing motion at the puck, not a swipe.

    • 4

      Skate hard after the puck as soon as you've poked it away from your opponent. Remember speed is key here because your opponent will be trying to get the puck back just as quickly as you are trying to get it safely away.