This is a mail thread between Brian an myself. His questions and observations
were great. They will help anybody interested in improving their stick
handling skills. My response is in blue.
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I have only been using the system for a few days and after three saw a
noticeable difference in on rink hand speed, (when I wasn't thinking about
it. I was wondering if as I improve and get stronger is the goal to work
on building width with the balls or increasing speed with the same width?
Which comes first?
Thanks, Brian
Brian,
Good question. Speed and distance is a byproduct of strength development. The longer you use the system, the more pronounced the increase in these 2 areas will be. If you use the system long enough and build up enough strength you will find yourself moving to a 4 ft distance when doing your sets. The goal is to let yourself develop at your own pace. Never sacrifice by using an improper motion. Remember Proper motion first, strength devlopment second and commit the motion to memory via repitition third.
Keep up the good work. Do you mind if I post your question in our FAQ section ?
Ron
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Ron,
I thought of one other question. When using the system it seems like you
can move the ball a lot to the left (for a righty) an still have the ball
cupped. If you try to move to the right you are limited if you want to
keep the toe of the stick in front of the ball. Is this right? Should it
move mostly to the left? And should I make sure I stop the ball to my right
so that I still have plenty of cup on the ball?
Ron,
When I think of questions I get on a roll don't I? It seems that moving
the small ball a long way is the most difficult. Is this supposed to be
the case or am I losing a little snap with the small one. I have already
added tape to my stick for the extra resistance. It just seems to move
that little one a long way it is a little tough at least to do it fast.
Thanks again, Brian
Ron,
I have come across some other questions. I felt like after the first week
I saw some improvements on the rink. It seems like since then I have not
been able to handle the puck to save my life. It appears that when I snap
from one side to the other I snap too hard and can not capture the puck
on the other side. Is this something that will improve or am I doing something
wrong. Is it an issue of snap or overall hand speed? Will I get a feel
for it in time? It is pretty frustrating. I am definitely getting stronger
with the balls. My other question revolves around improving on the system.
When working on improving, I can easily move the balls four feet. What
is it that should be building speed? Should I snap and than move as fast
as I can to the other side and if I need to wait for the ball than I wait
on it, or do I snap it and move to the other side of the ball wherever
I catch up to it? I hope theses questions make sense.
Thanks Brian.
P.S. I should probably mention that I predominantly play inline, and obviously
the puck is a little lighter. Will it make a difference?
AHH now the truth comes out. You're an inline guy !!!. I ran into this
same problem working with the street hockey pucks. Going from 4 lbs to
4 oz is tough. Have you been finishing your sets by using a golf ball?
You need to de-sensitize yourself to what is on your stick. You will be
hard pressed to keep the golf ball on the mat, but you will get used to
it. You may also want to use a golf ball prior to your inline session.
You can also use an inline puck on some fake ice or smooth cement to round
out your workout. The ice guys run into this on a freshly cleaned sheet
of ice but in a few minutes the resistance increases. Since your resistance
is constant you don't have this factor.
Ball movement. Remember that speed is a byproduct of strength development.
The stronger you get, the further and faster the ball will go. Since we
are concentrating on motion I move my stick slowly on the heavier balls
and fast on the lighter ones. I end with a golf ball and all hell breaks
loose. It will take a minute or 2 for me to make the adjustment. I also
vary from stickhandling in a 2 - 4 ft section to going wide on both sides.
When going as wide as possible only one hand is on the stick.
Areas of improvement. You may see a vast improvement in the following areas.
1) Shot - Backhand and snap.
2) Passing - Your long off ice pass should be very crisp by now.
3) Receiving a pass - Your ability to trap (slapping your stick down just
as the puck reaches you) and receive a pass by cupping or cradling the
puck.
Ron
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Ron,
I have been finishing sets with a golf ball and have since added a puck
on the garage floor. It seems to be helping a little. What I do notice
is that if I use a stick with no or very little tape the golf ball shoots
off like a rocket and if I have tape on a stick it tends to roll over the
top of the ball and does not travel as well. Will using the golf ball more
get me used to having lighter weights and thus I will have better feel
with an inline puck? Another question I have is should a golf ball be used
between every set or just at the beginning and end? I have noticed a marked
improvement in my backhand shot and pass reception. I have always had a
good snap shot and a strong pass. But my backhand shot and backhand passes
have improved dramatically, as well as my ability to hold onto the puck.
Last question for today, maybe. Should I be working with a stick that has
tape or not? I ask this because if resistance is part of the problem it
seems that no tape would offer less resistance and maybe different ball
and puck movement.
Thanks a lot for all the help,
Brian
Begin your initial sets with a golf ball (for warm up purposes). End your
sets with a golf ball to de-sensitize and force the adjustment to a dramatically
different weight. Don't stop using the golf ball until you handle it without
loosing it. This should only take a few minutes and will help dramatically.
About tape. Cloth adds resistance and is used when you reach your proficiency
level (which you seemed to have done). As far as the tape causing it to
roll off the top of the ball, I have not experienced this. The ball is
moving before this can happen. You are correct that the ball shoots off
a non tapes stick faster. It also depends on the stick. We use wood or
plastic. Its your call on the use of tape. Once you have the proper motion
I would use the tape. As a rule we use friction tape to increase resistance.
In your case resistance is not a problem but an asset which has caused
you to develop not only strength but proper motion. When you combine both
of these at the same time the puck (especially at 4 oz) will travel further
and faster then you are used to.
I guess you could compare it to the difference between a Saturn and a Viper.
Anybody can drive a Saturn but only those who know how to control a Viper
should drive it.
Take the time to learn the control.since you now have a Viper.
Good Luck
Ron
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Ron,
The only way I can describe what is happening is that the stick rolls over
the ball. It generally only happens with the small ball. I will snap it
to one side and when I set the stick down and snap to the other side the
ball will be trapped under the blade, and this causes the stick to roll
over the top. Maybe this is the proper motion and I am only learning to
get the feel for it. But I do know when it does happen that I can not snap
the ball as far. Whatever is happening I have definitely improved my strength
and I will try the golf ball until I gain control and see if it helps me
in the long run.
Thanks for all your help and for answering all my questions.
Brian
Ron,
Sorry for sending yet another e-mail, but when I read the last one you
sent back I realized that I may be holding the small ball on my stick too
long before snapping it and than dragging my blade instead of snapping.
I'm not sure but I will mess with it.
Thanks again, Brian
Your analyses is correct. With tape you cannot drag. It forces you to always
position the ball properly for the snap. By learning just how far you can
go and still keep control will aid your abilities in the rink. You can
go wide
with the ball and drag it back with one hand but it is difficult (especially
with tape) and requires practice. Keep working at it and Im sure you'll
get the hang of it. Dont be scared to try different things. take a Level
2 or 3 ball to the rink prior to a practice or game and pass is around
as a warmup. You wont be stickhandling it so it shouldnt affect your game.
The passing will make a difference.
Good Luck
Ron
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Ron,
I took a golf ball to the rink with me tonight and pulled it out and worked
with-it until I did not lose it. My counterparts were all making fun of
me until we got out there and I had hands they had never seen before. Needless
to say that appeared to work , I'll try it next week and see how it goes.
Have a great week.
Brian
Your on your way. Keep going you'll be able to amaze them even more. Add
some toe pulls and some fakes and you'll have them jumoing out of their
skates !
Good Luck
Ron
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Ron,
O.K. I thought I would give you some feedback. I used a golf ball before
I played last night and that seemed to help tremendously. i also discovered
this morning as I was using the system if I handle and inline puck with
a taped stick it is tougher to get the blade to the opposite side of the
puck after moving it. It seems that there is almost too much friction.
So I thought since you have a better understanding of stick handling than
I do by far, I would ask you your thoughts, should I do what is best for
me or is there and advantage to learning the feel of the tape? Does it
give better control or any advantage when you are playing? I currently
only use one strip of tape on both sides of the blade to give a little
bit of grip, I have done this as long as I have played inline. But on ice
I fully tape the stick. Thoughts?
Thanks, Brian
P.S. I think I have probably now exhausted all questions or issues I may
have. Sorry to be such a pain, I have always been very analytical when
learning something new.
Dont worry about the questions, we are in a slow period now anyway. Always
do whats best for you as a player. I can only tell you what I see and know.
Bobby Orr used a single strip of tape on his stick, you think it did much
? I dont. Only you know what "feels" right for you. One thing
that never changes is the following......MOTION. No matter what player
or what level, its the same motion. There is no change in motion based
on surface composition, only feel. This feel or sensation is an adaptability
issue which each player must overcome in his on way, by changing reps,
using a golf ball more often or by some other means. Its an individual
thing. Improve the following 3 things and you can count on being a better
stickhandler, no matter what you are stickhandling ( ball, puck, rock etc)
:
1) Proper Motion
2) Strength development
3) Repetition
It takes a LONG time to be a good stickhandler and EVEN LONGER to be a
great stickhandler.
So keep working at it.
Good Luck
Ron
P.S. Can I post this thread? Your questions and comments will be very helpful
for other inline skaters. I really havent spent a lot of time on the inline
folks. It maybe time to change that.
Ron,
Absolutely you can post any questions I ask. I agree with your comment
about spending time with inline players. If you think about it inline is
a stick handlers game more so than ice. There is more open rink and therefore
more opportunity and room to make that extra move. Thanks for all the help.
I'll post some progress with the questions that were sent on the e-mail
that came around the time I ordered.
Thanks again,
Brian
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I was going to shoot you an e-mail and than I got yours and remembered.
I have had a set back and wanted to ask you about it. I got really busy
and was not able to use the system everyday for a couple of weeks.
Brian
A couple of weeks for a player who has reached their proficiency level
wont make a difference. Its like riding a bike. You've commited the motion
to memory and it takes but a few workouts to get it back.
Ron
At the same time I saw my shot begin to get harder and had to increase
the flex rating on my sticks. I also noticed I could not keep the puck
on my stick if I held here with tape. Is it possible that the combination
affected me? I have used an 85 flex as long as I have played and I went
up to a 100. Does this affect feel?
Brian
Flex is huge !!!! composite sticks are notoriously BAD for feel. and they
get worse as they get stiff. Its bad enough with a real puck and even worse
with an inline puck. 85 should be fine for inline but its a personal choice
also. I've also seen players go to a stiff stick and see a temporary improvement.
The slap shot get better but they cant flex enough for the wrist shot.
Stick length has an effect here also. The flex point changes depending
on how much you cut a stick. A stiff stick is much more difficult to fles
when you cut 6 to 10 inches off the top.
Ron
The other thing I found myself doing id changing the way I held the stick.
I used to have my top hand somewhat on the top of the stick and with a
firm grip. I now seem to have moved that hand where my palm is on the flat
part of the stick with my fingertips wrapped underneath the stick and a
loose grip. It seems to allow for better flow of the wrist rolling. Another
question I had was the movement itself. I find myself handling the balls
and only rolling my wrists. When I handle a puck I roll my wrists and to
some degree my elbow shifts as well. Is this right or wrong?
Brian
This is a personal preference question. I personally can figure out how
anybody could play hockey or tennis without putting the end of the stick
or racquet in the palm of their hand........But they do. I find it more
difficult using the whole palm. Your elbow will move or shift based on
what puck movement you are trying to accomplish. If you are using the system
and rolling for a 2 foot distance, there isnt any elbow involved, its all
wrist. The minute you go wide or push the puck up front then you have more
movement.
Ron
On the positive side I have noticed a significant improvement despite my
setback, which now that I think about it may have been in some part due
to not really trying hard enough to use the golf ball without looking.
Brian
This is key use the golf ball and also use the level 4 (stick handling
ball) on concrete where its fast and hard. This is where you will develop
your fakes, dribble fake go wide and repeat, always keep your head up !!!!!
The the 8 oz ball will give you quite a workout and the golf ball will
give you a dramatic change of pace.
Ron
Where I have noticed the biggest differences are in one on one situations
I can fake someone out without even headfaking or shifting weight. If they
watch the puck and not my hips I so easily fake with my stick and I am
gone around them.
Brian
This is what the KwiK-Hands System is all about. It was developed specifically
for this purpose.
Ron
My shot has significantly improved proved in speed and my passing is crisper.
I am going to go back to making sure I am using the system at least once
a day and to use the golf ball without looking at it and see if this will
get me back to my earlier handling improvements. I am still totally satisfied
with this investment. I think in the long run my skills will continue to
improve. I get a little frustrated from week to week when I one week handle
the puck great and than the next week it sucks. I think I will work through
it. I am a bit of an analyzer if you have not figured that out yet.
Brian
Ya.....so quit analyzing and write it off as a bad day. Your not going
to get it perfect every time. The pros have off days also. Consistency
is very difficult to acquire. It takes a long time even at the pro level.......and
they practice alot more.
Ron
I like to know exactly how to do something so that I may do it right. That
is why I wanted to know about the grip and elbow movement and some of the
other things. Let me know if you would when you get an opportunity.
Thanks again,
Brian
Vulcanized rubber was invented by mistake when Goodyear forgot it on the
burner and went to bed. He tried for years and a simple mistake held the
key. Experiment and have fun with it. You'll fall into a pattern that works
for you. Puckhandling has many factors that affect it. The stick composition
and lie, the length, curve and the presence of tape and or wax. The grip
and weight of the puck etc. All can impact your ability to handle a puck.
It is all about YOU BEING COMFORTABLE. You have seen how you can fake a
player out using your stickhandling (this works even brtter with goalies)
so you now know it can be done....and by you. Keep up the good work and
the consistency will follow.
Ron
Ron,
Something clicked since the last time we had contact. I can pinpoint it
to one thing directly. You told me to try using the stick handling ball
on concrete surface. When I put it on this surface and really concentrated
on moving nothing but my wrists I felt the ball like I have not before.
I thought that if you have someone in the future struggling a bit this
tip should be passed on. I have played a few times since and my skills
are far above where they have ever been. I don't think about it I just
do it. Thanks for all the help.
Brian
P.S. What can I do now to further my development? Is there anything apart
form regular old ball movement?
Brian,
Your Welcome. I'll post this asap. This is a response that occurs after
the proper motion is committed by many many reps. You are now ready for
the next step. Only after you reach the point of "not thinking
of it " can a proper fake be done. I suggest you consider using Sean
Skinners DVD see www.stickhandling.com . The fakes and dekes tape is what you need. This will take you to the
next level.
Good Luck and dont forget to spread the KwiK-Hands
word.
Thanks
Ron
"It has been a while since I sent you any feedback but this one blew my mind. I have been using the system for a few months, but my schedule only allows me to use it 3-5 times per week. I was frustrated by it at first because I was not seeing any improvements. They gradually came. Last week playing I began noticing I do not even look at the puck in open space to handle any longer. My head goes down occasionally when I am in heavy traffic and want to make a move.(I would not have even tried to make the moves before I used the system, I would have passed it off.)
What made me realize the progress I had made was after completing a play. I carried into the offensive zone and got into heavy traffic in the high slot, I did not even think about it but while moving the puck, my control hand slid down the stick, I pulled the puck in near my feet, dribbled it until I saw my teammate creep in on the left, and lifted him a nice little back hand pass. Giving him the full left side of the net for an easy tap in. I loved it. It all came without thinking or looking down.
I have recommended the system to anyone who asks me where I have been picking up some of the stickhandling moves, but more often than anything I am telling people I know who have kids that play. I already have my four year old working with the little ball.
I believe anyone who uses this system and sticks with it will think it was the best thing they have ever done to improve their game. I would easily pay double the price to get these results.
Thanks for all the help and answers to questions you have provided over the last few months."
Thanks again, Brian
Brian,
This is great to hear. Your on your way to a new level of hockey. Go
get
Sean Skinners Fakes and Dekes tape. It will take you to the next level.
www.stickhandling.com
Keep working with the system and get the video and you'll be amazed at
what
happens next. I'll post your letter tonight.
Thanks for the
great endorsement.
Ron