Mastering a hockey stop is an important part of any hockey players skillset.
However, a weak side hockey stop can be especially tricky to master.
In this article, well help you tackle the challenge and learn how to hockey stop on the weak side.
Well explain what a hockey stop is, what the weak side is, why mastering it is important, and provide step-by-step instructions on how to angle your body, lean into the stop, and create friction.
Finally, well give you tips on how to practice and perfect your hockey stop.
By the end of this article, youll be ready to show off your hockey stop skills on the ice.
So lets get started!
Table of Contents
Short Answer
To hockey stop on the weak side, start by shifting your weight onto your back foot and pushing off with your front foot to initiate the turn.
As you turn, use your inside foot to drag along the ice, helping you pivot your body and stop quickly.
To complete the stop, lean back and press your skates into the ice, using your edges to help you stop.
Finally, shift your weight forward to reduce the impact of the stop and prepare to turn the other way.
What is a Hockey Stop?
A hockey stop is an essential skill for any ice hockey player, allowing them to quickly stop and change direction without losing speed.
It involves the player angling their body towards the weak side and leaning into the stop to shift their bodyweight.
This is followed by tucking their free leg up and using their skate blade to dig into the ice to create friction and slow down.
With practice, mastering this technique can be a valuable asset for any hockey player.
In a hockey stop, the player will use their bodyweight to push against the ice, creating a greater surface area for the blade to dig into.
This helps to create more friction and slows the player down more quickly.
Similarly, angling the body towards the weak side helps to increase the surface area of the skate blade, helping to create more friction and slowing the player down even more.
Additionally, the player should lean into the stop, which helps to keep their momentum going.
This momentum helps to propel them forward and push them into the hockey stop.
This helps to ensure that the player can stop quickly and efficiently, without losing any speed.
Finally, the player should tuck their free leg up and use their skate blade to dig into the ice to create friction.
This helps to slow the player down even further, until they come to a complete stop.
With practice, this technique can be an invaluable asset for any hockey player, allowing them to quickly stop and change direction without losing any speed.
What is the Weak Side?
The weak side is an important concept to understand when learning how to hockey stop on the weak side.
Put simply, the weak side refers to the side of the body that is weaker or less powerful.
For example, in ice hockey, a right-handed player would be considered to have a weaker left side, as their right side is usually stronger and more dominant.
It is important to identify which side is the weak side when performing any kind of movement or skill in ice hockey, as this can have an impact on how the maneuver is executed.
By understanding the weak side, a player can ensure they are using the correct techniques and movements to maximize their performance.
Why is it Important to Master a Weak Side Hockey Stop?
Learning how to hockey stop on the weak side is an essential skill for any ice hockey player.
Not only does it allow you to quickly change direction during a game, but it can also be used to avoid collisions and prevent injuries.
Mastering this technique gives you greater control on the ice and helps you maintain speed, allowing you to stay ahead of the competition.
A hockey stop on the weak side also allows you to take advantage of opportunities that may arise in the game.
When youre able to quickly stop and turn your body in the opposite direction, youll be able to react faster and take advantage of any openings or plays that can give you the edge.
Additionally, mastering this technique can help you maintain balance and stability while skating, so you dont lose your footing and end up on the ice.
Finally, learning how to hockey stop on the weak side can help you become a better overall hockey player.
Having the ability to quickly stop and turn in the opposite direction can help you keep up with the pace of the game and stay one step ahead of your opponents.
With practice, you can become a more efficient and effective hockey player, and youll be able to take advantage of any opportunities that come your way.
How to Angle Your Body
Angling your body is one of the most important steps to take when executing a hockey stop on the weak side.
To do so, you will need to start by facing the side you want to stop on, which is your weak side.
This will help position your body and skate blade in the right direction to create the necessary friction.
Before beginning the stop, make sure your feet are shoulder-width apart and parallel to the direction you are heading.
Keep your knee bent and your back straight to help maintain balance and control.
Once you have assumed the correct stance, you can begin angling your body by rotating your upper body and hips in the direction of the weak side.
As you rotate, you should start to shift your bodyweight towards the weak side, as this will help you to dig your skate blade into the ice and generate the friction needed to stop.
It is important to remember that angling your body properly is essential for a successful hockey stop.
Make sure you are rotating your upper body and hips, and not just leaning from your waist.
If done correctly, you should feel a slight shift in your bodyweight and balance as you rotate.
With practice, mastering the angles of the hockey stop on the weak side will become second nature.
How to Lean Into the Stop
Learning how to hockey stop on the weak side can be an important skill for any ice hockey player.
As a hockey player, you need to be able to quickly stop, change direction, and maintain your speed.
To execute a successful hockey stop on the weak side, you must begin by angling your body towards the weak side and leaning into the stop.
Leaning into the stop is an essential part of this maneuver.
It allows you to shift your bodyweight and create more friction with your skate blade.
To do this, you need to bend your knees, lower your center of gravity, and lean forward.
This will help you to maintain your momentum and keep your speed as you come to a stop.
One way to practice this motion is by using a wall or other solid surface.
Have your back to the wall and then practice shifting your bodyweight and leaning into the stop.
This will help you to get the feel for the motion and develop the necessary balance and agility.
You can also practice this motion on the ice.
As you build up speed, practice shifting your body and leaning into the stop.
Make sure to focus on keeping your balance and maintaining your speed.
With practice, mastering this technique can be a valuable asset for any hockey player.
Learning how to hockey stop on the weak side can help you to make quicker and sharper turns on the ice.
Once you get the motion down, you will be able to stop and change direction with ease.
How to Create Friction
Creating friction when performing a hockey stop on the weak side is essential for slowing down and eventually stopping.
To create friction, the player should begin by angling their body towards the weak side and leaning into the stop.
As their bodyweight shifts, the player should then tuck their free leg up and use their skate blade to dig into the ice.
This will help create an opposing force that will slow down the momentum of the player and eventually bring them to a stop.
In order to maximize the amount of friction created, the player should also aim to dig their skate blade into the ice at a sharp angle.
This will provide more resistance against the ice, resulting in more friction and a slower speed.
Additionally, the player should ensure that their skate blade is angled slightly outward, as this will better grip the ice and create more friction.
Finally, to ensure maximum friction, the player should focus on keeping their skates flat against the ice.
This will create the most surface area for the skate blade to dig into the ice and will result in greater amounts of friction.
Additionally, the player should ensure that their skates remain parallel to each other, as this will help to create an even pressure against the ice and will maximize the amount of friction created.
Practicing the Hockey Stop
The hockey stop is one of the most important skills for any ice hockey player to master.
It allows them to quickly stop and change direction without losing speed, making it a valuable asset for any player.
The key to executing a hockey stop on the weak side is to begin by angling your body towards the weak side and leaning into the stop.
This will help you shift your body weight, which is essential for the stop.
Once youve shifted your weight, you must tuck your free leg up and use your skate blade to dig into the ice to create friction.
This will help you slow down and eventually stop.
This takes practice, but once youve mastered it, youll be able to stop quickly and efficiently without losing speed.
In order to practice the hockey stop on the weak side, its important to start slowly and gradually increase your speed as you become more comfortable with the technique.
Begin by skating slowly and then gradually increase your speed as you progress.
As you become more comfortable with the stop, you can increase how quickly you can stop and turn.
Its also important to practice the hockey stop on both the left and right side.
The left and right sides require slightly different technique, so its important to practice on both sides.
You should also practice the stop in different scenarios, such as stopping from a straight line or stopping while turning.
Finally, its important to practice the hockey stop on different surfaces.
As you become more comfortable with the stop, you can practice on surfaces such as ice, asphalt, and grass.
This will help you become better at stopping on different surfaces and give you a better understanding of how to use the hockey stop in different circumstances.
Final Thoughts
Knowing how to perform a hockey stop on the weak side can be a valuable asset for any ice hockey player.
This maneuver requires the player to maintain a specific angle and shift their bodyweight in order to create the necessary friction.
With practice, mastering the technique can quickly improve a player’s speed and agility on the ice.
Now that you understand the steps, why not try them out today and see what you can do?