How can I remember to keep my head up instead of looking down at the puck?

Question

How can I remember to keep my head up instead of looking down at the puck?

Answer 1

Its really not something you should "remember".  it should be something that you just do.  Confidence in your stick handling would help.  If you can learn to get your head up you will see a major improvement in all area's of your game.

Answer 2

Yeah, like a lot of other guys said...getting your bell rung a few times will usually do it. My first game in high school I put my head down while receiving a pass and ran face first into an opposing defenseman. Split the bridge of my nose wide open.

Other than pain, just practice. Solo skating and stick handling drills where you concentrate on NOT looking down can help build good habits. Like anything new, go slow at first and then increase speed as you gain more confidence. After you can handle solo drills, try working with partner.

Answer 3

The key is puckhandling, you have to get really really good at it. Practice, practice, and more practice. You should see my cousin, he takes his stick and a golf ball, literally, everywhere we go. We go hiking, he takes his stick and the golf ball with him in the car and puckhandles in the parking lot while we're getting ready. We go to a restaurant, when we're done eating, he goes outside and starts puckhandling the golf ball in the parking lot. Even when he's working (he delivers granite slabs, so he has to wait while they cut it to the right measurements) he will puckhandle that golf ball. Wherever he goes he always has that stick and golf ball in his car, and when he loses the golf ball he just gets a rock and puckhandles with that. So yeah, once you get good at puckhandling, you won't have to look down at the puck anymore, because it will be second nature. Just like when you play basketball, you don't have to look at the ball when you dribble it, because the motions are programmed into your head already.

Answer 4

Every time your head is down, think of Scott Stevens coming at you.

Answer 5

just wait till someone knocks u on your ***. that will teach you

Answer 6

Once you take a few hard checks you will start to remember . . .  either that or you will forget your name . . . it's kinda a toss up

Answer 7

skate across center ice with it down. that will teach u. it taught me.

Answer 8

Wear a neck brace.

Answer 9

Keeping your head up while playing is a learned skill. As you are just starting out it will be very hard. It takes practice and patience. To get it. The one way that helped me is to try to have the puck out if front of you enough where you can just see it if you glance down quickly. You will learn to play the puck with how it feels on your stick and then you will be able to play with your head up more and more. It just takes time and practice. It will come

Answer 10

Your first concussion will help you.

Answer 11

Practice walking around while moving the puck in your driveway or something like that. Less pressure there and it'll help you find your own way to transferring that skill on the ice.

Answer 12

Get "clothes-lined" a few times and you'll remember.

Answer 13

Watch highlights of Scott Stevens or Darius Kaparitis hits on Lindros.If that doesn't keep your head up nothing will.

Answer 14

Start off by going to Youtube and searching Nickolas Kronwall hits....if you watched the finals, you can skip this part.

Practice stick handling drills...start out stationary, moving the puck between 4 other pucks set out in front of you in the shape of a square.  Weave the puck between them.  

Second stick handle through cones while on the move.

Practice is the only thing that will give you the confidence to keep your head up instead of peeking at the puck.

Getting your brain bounced around the inside of your head might help you to learn, but that is a pretty big price to pay!

Answer 15

Trust me, after you've been hit enough.................you remember!

Answer 16

Once you get the snot knocked out of you you'll remember too.But just be sure not to get shell shocked from it.

Answer 17

Scott Stevens laying out Lindros who had his head down: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=16Z7-XRPc...

This ones pretty good to:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xxdE1zEhQ...

Basically it's not about remembering, it's about practicing so that you become good enough with your control that you don't have to look down.

Answer 18

if you have a golf ball or any other type of ball then go on your driveway and stick handle 5 to 10 minutes a day and during that make sure your head is always up.  It is something you will learn with time and as you gain confidence in your puck carrying abilities

Answer 19

You'll remember when you're sitting in your wheelchair. And you won't forget.