🏒 The Key to Elite Stickhandling

Your eyes are the most underrated tool in hockey.

If you spend time looking down at the puck, you are at a significant disadvantage.

Every time you look down at the puck, you lose track of developing plays, pressure, and open teammates.

And in a fast game, those split-seconds matter.

That’s where elite stickhandling comes in.

When your hands can operate without constant visual check-ins, your eyes stay up - scanning, reading, anticipating.

You see the ice. You control the game.

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Every Time You Look Down, You Break the Game

Think of your brain like a computer.

The more uninterrupted information it receives, the faster it works.

But every time you look down at the puck, you’re pulling the plug.

Cutting off your access to developing plays, open teammates, and threats on the ice.

At Pro Performance Hockey Lab, we train our players to keep their eyes to stay up, scan, and process the game in real time.

The 4 Levels of Stickhandling Awareness

1. Poor Stickhandler

Eyes glued to the puck.
Completely disconnected from the game.
Can’t make quick reads or respond to pressure.

2. Average Stickhandler

Glances up, but not enough.
Still missing plays and reacting late.
Can stickhandle, but not under real pressure.

3. Good Stickhandler

Keeps eyes up more consistently.
Makes faster decisions and sees options sooner.

4. Elite Stickhandler

Eyes up and scanning constantly.

(When you’ve completed this lesson, check out The Hockey IQ Edge and how you can see the game before it happens).

Processes teammates, defenders, speed, angles, and ice position in real time.
Makes plays before the defense can react.

Train Yourself to Process, Not Just Handle

Average players focus on puck control.

At Pro Performance Hockey Lab, we coach puck control with vision.

• Stickhandle with your head up in every drill.

• Use your peripheral vision to track the puck.

• Scan before you receive.

• Make “eyes-up” the default.

Now you’re training your hockey brain.

Control the puck with confidence. See the play. Run the game.

And as always…

Do the common thing uncommonly well.

When you’re ready to elevate your game, here’s how I can help you:

1. Elite private training to provide the 1 on 1 attention you deserve.

2. Spring 2025 clinics for offseason skill development.

3. Summer Camp 2025 to prepare for the upcoming season.

See you on the ice,

Coach Scott Rutherford
(716) 912-4465