GENTLE TOUCHES. MORE CONTROL.™ First puck touches should let children explore the stick without trying to copy a fast older Player.
Audience: Girls Hockey, U5–U7. Match the task to experience and age; a new Player can use a simpler version. These are teaching bands, not league eligibility rules.
Coach Jane™: Feel the Puck With Gentle Touches
Presenter script: “Coach Jane here. GENTLE TOUCHES. MORE CONTROL. Try it with control. Ask your Coach for help, and enjoy getting better.”
The U5–U7 Lesson
Stand in a balanced position and move the puck a short distance from forehand to backhand. Keep the blade near the ice and soften the hands.
The aim is a repeatable action the Player understands. Before the first attempt, ask her to describe what she is trying to do. Then demonstrate at a pace she can follow and let her try it. One clear cue gives the Coach something specific to observe.
Try This in Practice
Give each Player a clear practice square. Move the puck side to side, pause it, and begin again. Add a short glide only when the stationary task feels comfortable.
Begin with the easier version until the Player can repeat it comfortably. Next, change one element—space, movement, or appropriate pressure—and notice whether the action remains controlled. Return to the simpler version if the added demand hides the lesson. The Coach decides when the group is ready to progress.
A Common Problem and the Coaching Adjustment
Reaching too far makes the puck harder to control. Bring the puck back into a comfortable working area.
How to Notice Progress
After a few attempts, ask “What became easier?” Look for improvement in the action described above, rather than measuring the lesson only by a goal, a win, or another Player’s result. Finish with one example the Player can recognize and one next step she can practice.
For Parents and Coaches
For Parents, the useful question is “What did you enjoy trying?” Let the Coach teach the movement and celebrate a small attempt. Avoid turning the ride home into another practice.
Use a clear, supervised practice area, appropriate equipment, and the Team’s applicable rules. Keep waiting time short and arrange the activity so each Player gets useful attempts. For House League, the primary objective is to have fun.
What Did You Learn?
What helps you learn your first puck touches?
Keep Learning With Coach Jane
Connect this lesson with Bend Your Knees and Stay Balanced and Look Before You Pass. For a broader overview, explore the Coach Jane™ collection.
Coaches choosing age-appropriate practice activities can also consult USA Hockey’s Practice Planner Guides. This THR lesson is original coaching guidance, not a reproduced federation drill.
GENTLE TOUCHES. MORE CONTROL.™
ONE LESSON. ONE INSTRUCTION. ONE TAKEAWAY.™
Presented by The Hockey Resource™.
