How to Perform a Stick Check in Hockey

A stick check is an effective defense approach in the game of hockey. Some ice and roller hockey leagues don't allow a body check, which is using the body to knock an opponent out of the way. Therefore, a stick check is used instead. The six most common stick checks include: poke, hook, sweep, stick, lift the stick and hit the stick.

Instructions

Using the Poke Check

1. Place your top hand on your hockey stick, keeping your elbow tucked close to your side.

2. Use your other hand to keep your balance.

3. Poke the bottom part of your stick blade at the puck using your top hand.

Using the Hook Check

1. Place your top hand on your stick.

2. Bend one knee, and bring the shaft of your stick down where it is nearly flat on the ice.

3. Hook your stick blade in the direction of the puck. The curved part of the stick should be able to cup the puck.

4. Drive the puck away from your opponent.

Using the Sweep Check

1. Place your top hand on your stick.

2. Bend your knee so your stick blade is on the ice.

3. Use the curve of your stick to brush your blade across the ice moving the puck our of the way of your opponent.

4. Hit the puck away, but don't take control of it.

Using the Lift the Stick Check

1. Slip your lower hand down the stick for leverage, skating in front of your opponent.

2. Coast your stick under your opponent's stick where the blade and shaft converge.

3. Thrust your stick up quickly, lifting your opponent's stick.

4. Take your stick back to the ice when your opponent's stick is off the ice and skate away from your opponent when you recover the puck.

Using a Stick Press

1. Slip your lower hand down the stick for leverage.

2. Press down hard on the shaft of your opponent's stick with yours. This will keep your opponent from moving his or her stick.

3. Limit your opponent's ability to make a goal by the amount of pressure you use.

Using Hit the Stick

1. Skate alongside your opponent.

2. Hit the heel of your opponent's stick. This should make him or her loose control of the puck.

3. Use this check as an offensive technique to his or her check.

Tips & Warnings

• The poke check is the most common stick check.

• The hook check is the most difficult stick check.

• This stick check is used mostly from behind your opponent.

• Missing the puck could result in your opponent being able to skate by you easily.

• Be sure to skate through this stick check.

• Don't poke the puck too soon. This is supposed to be a surprise maneuver.