Skating - Tight Turns

Hockey Skating Tip: Tight Turns

Making a quick turn while controlling the puck is an essential skill needed to get away from a check, and move to open ice.

Here's a few tips:

• Knees aggressively bent
• Upper body straight
• Head up
• Use your hips initiate the turn
• As you begin to turn, shift your body weight into the forward (inside) leg
• Keep your shoulders parallel to the ice.
  (The natural tendency is to drop your inside shoulder)
• Keep your stick in front of you, outside of your turning circle to shield the puck from the checker.
• On the way out of the turn, execute a sharp crossover with a few quick, short strides to get moving again.

For a faster turn with a tighter radius:

• Thrust more downward body weight into the the turn
• Keep your legs closer together
• Place your weight on the middle and towards the back of each skate

Practicing Tips:

• 'Commit' to the turn. Don't be afraid of falling down
• Practice skating on your outside edges
• Check that your shoulders are parallel on your way out of the turn.
  

To get greater control of the puck, try dropping your hands down low like Ryan Walter does in this CBC video: