Fundamentals: The Soft Drag and Fake Shot HD

This Fundamental skating technique opens up a lot of different types of stickhandling maneuvers.
www.kellianhockey.com
All content by Ian Smith of Kellian hockey, Jan 13, 2023

[@wggyq]

very well explained. Thanks.

[@dallasbiggz7007]

I love watching your videos as a Supplement to Jason. You both add value by emphasizing different educational points. I learn something from each of you guys even though it is the same technique You guys are describing. The only thing I regret is where were you guys in 1980 when I needed you to make it big! 🤣

[@kellianhockeyskilldevelopm2321]

There's no question that Jason's analysis is spot on. The way he reverse engineers what the top players do is quite impressive. I appreciate how he has given names to some of these fundamental technqiues that had not been around before and I defintely want to support that. It's funny... I was juist complaining to another coach about the same thing... imagine we had skill coaches breaking things down back when we were kids. The skill that kids have today is amazing. I remember learning skills by trying to copy the older high schooler during a shinney hockey session. That's how we learned new techniques!

[@dallasbiggz7007]

@@kellianhockeyskilldevelopm2321 And the positive news is you help me be a better Coach. I can continue to replace some of the bad information I was taught as a player from other Coaches and replace it with these new better techniques. As far as me learning and applying this stuff myself in beer league helps, the role of the game at this point in my life has completely changed - it's much more about the opportunity to hang out with friends weekly, have a cold one after the game, and appreciate those around us. Health issues, cancers, etc rippling through the Team makes you realize having another skate with friends should be enjoyed for the opportunity itself. Keep up the great work! Thank you! 🍻

[@timothygroten4193]

I’m still confused on heel drag versus soft drag. They’re both lateral movements, but i don’t get how the movements differ. I get the soft drag looks like you’re shooting, but is that it’s only benefit?

[@kellianhockeyskilldevelopm2321]

Great question. Ultimately, they are both ways of anchoring. The “soft drag” has the toe of the skate drag along the ice, and the “heel turn” has the heel of the skate drag. That dragging creates an anchoring which enables a quicker direction change. I personally use the heel turns in small spaces to protect the puck, and I use the soft drag as fake shot (and not as an anchoring maneuver). I know some people who soft drag for those kinds of turns and some who use the heel turn. Another example is the Mohawk. Some people use the Mohawk as a fake and others use it to protect the puck. It comes down to your style and what it does for your game.

[@timothygroten4193]

Great response, thank you!@@kellianhockeyskilldevelopm2321