How To Handle The Stick In Hockey

What’s the thing with stick handling in hockey? Read on to know more.
 

One of the most crucial stick handling basics is to keep your head up. After all, you can’t know what might happen while you are busy looking at the puck- your callousness might serve as a blessing in disguise for the opponent and he might get away with a shot or two, says a hockey player from the hockey team of India. You are likely to lose scores at the hands of the opponent you didn’t know was near you that ways.

 

The second tip that might come across as a game-saver is not to hold the stick too tightly, or as they put it in hockey-terms – use soft hands. Handle it gently so that you don’t tighten your grip. Think of it as an egg, and handle it carefully enough so as not to break the shell.
 

The next thing that ought to be taken into consideration, says a member of Hockey League in India, is the length of the stick. The shorter your stick, the easier it would be for you to pull across a shot, and the better it would be. On the ice, your stick should come up close to chin, and of the ice, a stick close till nose would be good enough.
 

Stick handling is not as easy as it may look like on the boundary. While practicing stick handling, try to reach out as far as possible on both the sides with the puck. This will help you maneuver the other players around and take over the game.
 

Stick handling is one thing that requires a great deal of commandment. That’s the first thing that should be on the cards in case you are planning to take up on the field.

Woman On The Field!

For many sports and woman are still are a distant and unrealized phenomenon. The chauvinistic universe which still does not admit and are sticking hard to the orthodox notions often create problems to the gateway for females for any contact with the outside world. It is almost derogatory how women are almost considered meek and fragile to make it to the top ladder for a long lasting career in sports and men, on the other paradigm are encouraged vehemently to pursue their career in sports. In such case Delhi franchise in hockey and other sports would have all been a man’s world.

 

If it would have been a generalized notion, there is no chance that woman would have been able to even step foot on the ground and the athlete world would have been a barren land with no female sport enthusiast or a member of hockey team of India. All accolades to the sensibilities of those who actively encouraged woman to come to the forefront and establish themselves on the pedestal in the sports world. Ours is a world where enthusiasm for sports parallels that to a firm belief in one’s faith and religion. Yes religion is the word! Sport is a religion in many parts of the world today and women are active participants in these and have qualified for an essential position in these.
 

However the road to success has not been easy. Several sacrifices and challenges have gone in the making of heroic figures like Mary Kom in boxing and Mamta Kharab, the ‘golden girl’ in women hockey team of India amongst others. But many a time owing to this pressure their nutritional requirement takes a back seat and health is compensated with, which results in several health problems like:
 

-Light headedness on the field.
 

-Losing weight irrationally, especially in those who are undernourished.
 

-Irregular monthly cycle and an early menopause.
 

-Delay or stunted growth in many young athletes.

Maintaining Balance Between Studies And Game

The biggest challenge in a young player’s life is to strike a balance between academics and sports. While sports are a passion for them, basic academic education cannot be sacrificed with. And both these activities call for dedication and time. To quench your passion you must sacrifice your time and physical comforts, but basic education gives you the cognitive skill and social standing that is imperative in life. So creating a balance between the two worlds becomes important.
 

Hockey team champs give some advice to budding players to manage and overcome such hurdles.

 

•    On a foremost note, a fixed schedule is the something common between all sportsmen, irrespective of the game they follow and this is something that will help you balance your studies as well. Plan your month in advance and try to stick to it. It will define your game and help you incorporate other activities including studies as well.
 

•    Small achievable goals on an everyday basis are far more feasible than hoping to do the impossible. After the game you have limited time and physical stamina but even a small achievement like completing one chapter each day will keep you motivated.
 

•    Learn to overcome distractions. A player of hockey team Delhi says, ‘the problem with players is they have to live a life of a hermit, with little time to spare’. Thus, whenever you are doing something you don’t necessarily like --such as studies-- then distractions aren’t hard to come by. Social media, smart phones and gadgets are a sheer waste of time that could be invested elsewhere.
 

•    Learn to say no. there are times when practice session is all about fun. The coach is not free and your friends are interested in something cool and interesting. But ask yourself, will it help your game or your grades? So, learn to say no when you see precious time being eaten up for nothing.
 

•    Use up the time that is wasted in commutation. While mom drops you to school or sports complex you can easily spend your time revising what you learnt last night.
 

•    And finally, don’t forget to take care of your nutrition. A balanced and healthy diet will help your game tremendously and improve stamina and concentration level as well.