Passing and Receiving are important parts of the game of hockey, especially their relation to the transitional aspects of play. Hockey is a game of transition, and teams that can successfully pass and receive the puck, in a quick, accurate manner, are able to apply more pressure on their opponents in the neutral or offensive zone, and can be more successful in their own end, on a breakout. Players need to master their abilities to give and receive a pass if they are to play at a higher level. Some of the best players in the world are known for their amazing passing skills – Gretzky, Lemieux, Crosby, Forsberg, Thornton, and the former Russian superstar Valery Kharmalov. A youth or Junior player might think he is a great passer when performing any number of drills in practice, but what makes you a great passer is your ability to be pin point accurate, under heavy pressure, with limited time and space, and the ability to read and react to how the play is unfolding around you.
Giving A Pass (Forward or Backhand)
· keep your head up with your eyes focused on the target
· proper knee bend
· make sure both hands are moving in the direction of the target
· players should push with bottom hand, and pull with the top hand
· as the puck is released (puck should be in the center of the blade or slightly to the heel on a forehand pass and on backhand should start on your heel and rim through to the tip of the blade), the weight shift moves from the back foot to the front foot
· fully extend your bottom arm, sweeping the puck, not slapping it (Keep your stick in contact with the puck; do not slap at the puck as you pass it. A pass should be done without making any sound.)
· top arm should come just under your chin
· your accuracy is controlled on the follow through. As you roll your wrists point the blade of your stick toward the target.
Receiving A Pass (Forward or Backhand)
· as the puck is coming towards you, move your stick towards the puck and tilt the top edge of your stick towards the puck
· as the puck contacts your stick, let your stick move a bit in the direction of the puck to cushion the impact of the reception.
· on the backhand it is particularly important to let the puck cross right in front of your body as you're receiving it. Do not meet the puck with a rigid stick, or the puck will bounce right off your blade.
· If you hold your stick too tight, you won’t be able to control the pass.
Types of Passing
Forehand Sweep – the stick blade is on the ice, and the puck remains in contact with the blade until it is released. Body weight transfers from the back to the front leg and the follow through is low.
Backhand Sweep – same as the forehand sweep, only you are passing in the backward direction. The puck begins well on the backhand side and the weight shifts from the back foot to the front foot.
Snap Pass – this is a quick, hard pass. Bring back the blade away from the puck slightly, the quickly sweep through and make contact with the puck.
Flip Pass (Saucer Pass) – this pass is used to pass over an opponents stick. The puck spins off the stick from the heel to the toe. The puck should be approximately 4 to 6 inches off the ice and land flat in a spinning motion.
Drop Pass – this is basically dropping the puck for a team mate that is in back of you trailing the play. The puck is dropped from the forehand or backhand position but is not passed back, as this allows the trailer to skate into the puck. (leaving the puck for a team mate)
Back Pass – this is the same as the drop pass, but here, the puck is actually passed back to a teammate. The trailing teammate is usually 10 to 15 feet behind.
Board Pass – this type of pass is often used by a defenseman behind the net or any player attempting to pass by a defensive man with a teammate slipping behind. The pass should be low and not too hard, so rebound off boards will not be too difficult to handle.
Bank Pass – this type of pass is often used by forwards in the offensive zone. The forward bounces the puck back off the boards to a trailing player or passes off the boards to another defenseman behind the net (defense reverse). The pass is executed by bouncing the puck off the boards backward to be picked up by a trailing player.
One Touch Pass – the player redirects a pass without stopping or cradling the puck
Type of Receiving
Off Skates – the weight is put on the non receiving skate. The blade of the receiving skate is turned with the toe pointing slightly in. The puck is deflected up to the blade of the stick.
In The Air – the player should attempt to knock down a low pass in the air with the blade of his stick in a downward slapping motion. He should attempt to bunt down a pass high in the air with his glove or body.
Too Far Ahead – The arms are extended completely and the stick is extended in one arm. A player may go down on one knee and extend the stick flat on the ice if the puck is coming from behind at an angle.
3 Zones to Master when Passing or Receiving
Passing Zone 1 – set up area – get good handle of the puck
Passing Zone 2 – release location, this is the critical zone to determine if the pass will be on target (must judge how long to keep puck on blade)
Passing Zone 3 – follow through area – shift weight toward front leg
Receiving Zone 1 – receiver must reach to accept the puck from direction it is coming from
Receiving Zone 2 – gain control as puck moves to midline of body
Receiving Zone 3 – buffer area
Treat a passed puck as if it were an egg, using soft, relaxed hands to gain control, ESPECIALLY on a hard pass.
Please Note that as a receiver your job is also to be in a position to receive the puck. Make sure you always give the puck carrier proper support, move to an open area, create passing lanes.