As players rise through the ranks of hockey, the opposition gives them less and less time to think while in possession of the puck. Defenders pressure faster, limit space with angling techniques, and remove outlets through tight coverage and defensive systems.

To continue creating a high volume of scoring chances, attackers have to simultaneously limit their puck touches and make the most of them. The best way to accomplish both of those goals is to master puck receptions.

An effective catch not only gives players complete control over the puck, but also eliminates the need for extra movements; it feeds directly into the next play and helps the attack rapidly grow an advantage over the defence.

In order to maximize their first touch, players have to do more than stop the puck on their stick; they have to:

• Find a pocket of space 
• Arrive in that pocket at the right speed and through the right route
• Set up their next play by adjusting body positioning
• Absorb the puck while moving their feet

To better understand each of those abilities, let’s break them down. 

1. Finding a pocket of space and exploiting it

The space between opponents consistently expands and shrinks on the ice. Players have to read the openings to give favourable pass options to teammates.

That means not getting too close and congesting the area, but also not sprinting so far away that the pass has to move through multiple defensive layers (unless there is a unique breakaway opportunity). And it means controlling skating speed. To avoid being checked or angled off by defenders, players should arrive in a pocket of space at the right time or as the puck carrier becomes ready to pass.

Off-puck attackers should also give the carrier more time and multiple opportunities to connect with them. They can do so by controlling their momentum, but also by choosing the right route of approach, or one that has them slash through space and not skate directly at the carrier. By coming from underneath the puck at an angle or parallel to the carrier, the passing window expands. 

Managing the receiving space is also important. Players don’t want to be stuck along the wall with an opponent on their back after stopping the puck on their blade. To prevent that, they have to scan the ice for defenders and obstacles, so that they can distance themselves from them, and find escape routes to get away quickly. 

2. Setting up the next play 

As much as possible, players have to reduce the time between the pass reception and their next play. To speed up their execution, they have to set up their feet, align their body, and position their stick to catch the puck in the starting position of that next play.

Here are a few examples of efficient catches.

In the first clip, Auston Matthews (#34) glides to the right circle in the offensive zone. He controls his skating, places his blade on the ice next to his inside foot, and angles his weight stick side. He creates leverage with his body positioning. which allows him to instantly flex his stick and fire off the pass.

In the second clip, Mattias Norlinder deceives an approaching defender and skates past him with a dangle. The preparation made it successful. The defenceman caught the puck directly in his hip pocket, shifted his weight towards that side, and looked off his intended play. If Norlinder had stopped the puck in front of him, he would have exposed it to a poke-check and forced himself into an extra move to dangle. In addition, had he kept his weight centred and his head fixed on the defender, it would have made it easy for the opponent to read the dangle attempt.

In the third clip, Andrei Markov (#79), rushes in the offensive zone. He looks at the net and receives a pass at his hip and inside a weight shift to his left. He fakes the shot and slides the puck cross-ice, back where it came from, setting up a teammate for the goal. 

In the fourth clip, Johnny Gaudreau (#13) moves in between blue lines underneath the puck. He presents himself as an option to a teammate on the wall. As the puck slides towards him, he brings his outside edge under him to cross-over on reception, creating a burst of speed that puts defenders on their heels.

3. Absorbing the puck in motion 

On top of preparing their feet and upper-body to rapidly execute their next play, attackers should also aim to receive in motion. By shifting gears on reception, they can better separate from defenders, distance themselves from the walls, force the opposition to move, and open up passing lanes. 

Taking the puck in movement also has benefits for teammates away from the puck. It can buy more time for them to get in position and creates spacing between players on the ice, and in turn, more openings.  

Conclusion

The weakest link in the pass reception chain of abilities usually determines its effectiveness.

In other words, a player who excels at receiving the puck softly on his blade might not get many opportunities to do so in a game if he can’t pop open at the right time. Another player who scans the ice and anticipates the movement of the puck might not get it if he arrives late in support. And one who picks the right routes to support the play, but plants his feet and has the puck spring off his blade on reception will lose it more often than not.

Considering how they all influence each other, all of the above skills need specific, focused practice. Coaches have to show their players that what happens before a pass and what they plan to do with it has a direct impact on how they should receive it. Simply, there isn’t time to rest mentally on the ice. When the puck isn’t on their blade, players should be thinking about how to most effectively get it back.