This is the 24th day of our team’s virtual summer training camp. Each day for the next four weeks, there will be a short assignment for you to do to prepare for the upcoming season. These assignments are mandatory for players and coaches. Parents are also encouraged to participate.
Here is a fantastic article on how to add deception to your game. At the core of being deceptive is trying to make your opponent think you are doing one thing but then do another (typically in a different direction).
The Art of the Fake by Rick Traugott
I’ve embedded the video links from the article below.
Layers of Deception
1) Head and Eyes
Work at keeping your head up when you have possession of the puck and when you shoot. Learn to “look off” opponents. An eye fake can be just as effective as a fake pass or shot.
2) Stick, Hands and Puck
Practice faking shots. Sell a shot then do something different. Fake a pass! This can be done with a shoulder feint, stick movement, hand or puck movement.
3) Feet
Work on tight turns and changing direction. This can begin with no puck and progress to puck handling.
Check out these video examples which include all three layers of deception.
Today’s Assignment:
- Complete today’s workout on the TeamBuildr app. Be sure to mark each exercise complete as you finish it.
IMPORTANT: If you have other sports, camps or are doing a different workout that you’d like to substitute on any given day that is okay. Please make a quick note of what you did that day under the ALTERNATE Workout in TeamBuildr. It is still important to complete the stickhandling and shooting every day that it is scheduled. But it is okay to move it to another day of the week when you aren’t quite as busy. Even when you’re on vacation, you should still be trying to find time to get in your workout.
- Read the article linked in this post.
- Whenever you are doing stickhandling, try to include and practice all three layers of deception.
- Pick one of the videos and see if you can see all three layers of deception. Post a THUMBS UP into the team WhatsApp group.