5 Easy Stickhandling Drills to Build "Silky Mitts" at Home

By Coach Lance Pitlick | Former NHL Defenseman

In hockey, stickhandling is one of the few skills that you can improve 365 days a year—no ice required.

All you need is a stick, a puck (or ball), and a little bit of floor space. If you commit to these 5 drills, you will notice a massive difference the next time you step on the ice.

Let's break down how to set up your "home dojo" and the exact drills you need to master.

Step 1: Build Your "Training Grid"

You don't need fancy equipment, but you do need a plan. We use a simple "Grid" on the floor to teach you Body Positioning.

Pro Tip: Using Synthetic Ice Tiles makes this even better, but a smooth garage floor works too!

Level 1: Beginner Drills (The Foundation)

Drill 1: The Dribble Switch

This drill teaches you to move the puck from your "strong side" (forehand) to your "weak side" (backhand) smoothly.

• Start: Dribble the puck quickly in the center of your grid.
• Move: Pull the puck wide to your forehand side (outside the tape line).
• Return: Bring it back to the center.
• Switch: Pull the puck wide to your backhand side.
• Repeat: Keep your head up and find a rhythm!

Drill 2: The 360 Toe-Heel

Hockey isn't just side-to-side; it's front-to-back. This drill helps you rescue a puck that is behind you.

• The Setup: Stand in your stance.
• The Move: Push the puck behind your heels.
• The Rescue: Use the Toe of your stick to grab the puck and pull it back to the front.
• The Goal: Get comfortable controlling the puck in "awkward" spots around your feet.

Level 2: Intermediate Drills (Getting Crafty)

Drill 3: Stick-to-Foot

Sometimes your stick gets tied up, and you need to use your skates. This drill builds foot coordination.

• The Move: Pull the puck into your feet.
• The Kick: Use the side of your foot (like a soccer pass) to kick the puck back to your stick blade.
• Alternate: Try it with your left foot, then your right foot.

Drill 4: The Double Front Fake

This is how you break ankles! You want to sell a move one way, then go the other.

• The Fake: Dribble towards an object (like a cone or old shoe).
• Head & Shoulders: Dip your shoulder left like you are going that way.
• The Cut: Quickly pull the puck right and accelerate past the object.
• Key Point: Make the fake look real! If you don't believe it, the defender won't either.

Drill 5: The Xbox Pattern

This is the ultimate coordination test. Imagine an 'X' shape on your grid.

• The Pattern: Move the puck diagonally from the top-left corner to the bottom-right corner.
• Switch: Then move it from top-right to bottom-left.
• Why: This trains your hands to cross over your body, which is crucial for deking in tight spaces.

Ready to Master These Skills?

These 5 drills are just the beginning. If you want to become a complete player, you need a full training plan.

Check out our Elite-Weekly Online Hockey Training Drills. We have video tutorials for every single one of these drills (and hundreds more) to help you become a superstar!