4 Types of Hockey Stops

Stopping is a skill that is commonly overlooked among hockey coaches. Most coaches check to see that their players can stop both ways, then move on to other skills without giving it much more thought.

Few coaches realize there’s much more to it than that, and that understanding the various types of stops, and when to use them, will give their players an advantage in games.

In this video, Jeremy Weiss demonstrates 4 different types of hockey stops:

1. Two Foot, Inside/Outside Edge Stop - This sounds more complicated than it actually is. We’re talking about your standard hockey stop here. This is used to stop quickly, and when you need to change directions fast.
2. Two Foot, Inside Edge Stop - This one puts you on both inside edges at the same time, which is the most stable position in hockey. This stop is very useful when you know you’re about to battle––for example, driving to the net and stopping for a rebound, or digging in the corners.
3. One Foot, Inside Edge Stop - Not as useful in games, although I’ve seen coaches teach it as a transitional stop; using a “T-start” to go the other way quickly. I don’t use it very often that way, although I’m a firm believer that developing this type of stop is beneficial for overall balance and edge control.
4. One Foot, Outside Edge Stop - Again, not as useful in games, although occasionally you can combine it with a crossover to use it as a transitional stop; as the back foot is stopping on its outside edge, the front foot is crossing over to go the other direction. Even if you don’t use it as much in a game, I like this one as another skill to improve balance and edge control.

As a coach, work on these 4 types of stops with your players, and teach them when and how to use each of them. Make sure you force them to do it BOTH directions. Players who can't perform skills such as stopping, starting, pivoting, and crossovers both ways become severely handicapped later on in their hockey careers.