Hand Eye Coordination Drills For Hockey
Hand eye coordination is a critical skill for hockey players to develop. It enables players to track the puck, make accurate passes, and score goals. As a result, hand eye coordination drills are an essential part of any hockey player's training regimen. In this article, we will discuss various hand eye coordination drills for hockey that players can practice to improve their skills.
1. Tennis Ball Drills
One of the most effective hand eye coordination drills for hockey players involves tennis balls. This drill improves a player's ability to track an object in motion and respond quickly. To practice this drill, players should stand facing a wall and throw a tennis ball against it. The goal is to catch the ball as it bounces back. Players can also practice this drill by bouncing the ball on the ground and catching it in the air.
2. Reaction Ball Drills
Reaction ball drills are another effective way to improve hand eye coordination for hockey players. Reaction balls are small, rubber balls that bounce erratically, making them difficult to predict. Players can use these balls to practice their reaction time and improve their ability to track the puck. To perform this drill, players can bounce the reaction ball against a wall and try to catch it as it bounces back.
3. Stickhandling Drills
Stickhandling is an essential skill for hockey players, and it requires excellent hand eye coordination. To improve this skill, players can practice stickhandling drills that involve tracking the puck while moving the stick. One example of a stickhandling drill is the figure eight drill. Players can use cones to create a figure eight pattern on the ice and practice moving the puck through the cones while keeping their eyes on the puck.
4. Juggling Drills
Juggling is a fun and effective way to improve hand eye coordination for hockey players. Players can use balls, pucks, or even their sticks to practice juggling. The goal is to keep the object in the air as long as possible while continuing to track its movement. This drill helps players improve their reaction time and coordination.
5. Vision Training Drills
Finally, vision training drills can also help improve hand eye coordination for hockey players. These drills involve exercises that improve a player's ability to track moving objects, judge depth perception, and focus on specific points. One example of a vision training drill is the Brock String drill. This drill involves using a string with colored beads and practicing looking at different beads while tracking their movement.
Hand eye coordination is a critical skill for hockey players, and these drills can help players improve their abilities. By practicing these drills regularly, players can become better at tracking the puck, making accurate passes, and scoring goals. So, grab some tennis balls, reaction balls, or even your stick, and start practicing these hand eye coordination drills today!
