How to Choose Hockey Training Balls

Step 1

Step one in choosing the right hockey training ball for you is to determine what you plan to use it for. Practice use versus play use will dictate which ball is right for you to use.

Step 2

Step two in choosing the right hockey training ball for you is based on surface. Choosing the right ball will change based on whether you are playing indoor hockey, street hockey, roller hockey or dry-land training. By narrowing what surface you plan to use the training ball on, you will then have a more defined set of options to choose from.

Step 3

Step three in choosing the right hockey training ball for you is choosing between a training ball or a training puck. While many training balls mimic the feel of a real hockey puck, players may feel more comfortable utilizing a training puck for the simple sake of familiarity. *If you are planning to use a training ball/puck for play, please consult Step Four. If you are planning to use a training ball/puck for practice or dry-land training, please skip to Step Five.

Step 4

Step Four in choosing the right hockey training ball or puck for use in game action is determined by the game. While playing roller hockey or street hockey are not dissimilar, the needs in regard to reaction time and “play” of the ball/puck are very different. First off, it is acceptable to have a bit more bounce in a street hockey ball/puck while roller hockey use usually demands less bounce and more stability. For Street hockey, when played outdoors on asphalt, it is recommended to use a light-weight plastic ball (such as the Franklin High Density Street Hockey ball). For Indoor Street hockey, normally played in a gymnasium on vinyl flooring, it is recommended to use a smooth gliding training ball(such as a Cosom Hockey Ball) or a smooth gliding training puck(such as the Green Biscuit). For Roller hockey, when played outdoors on asphalt, it is recommended to use a heavier ball with less bounce (such as the SmartHockey Stickhandling ball), while use for Indoor Roller hockey (or outdoor Roller Hockey played on a synthetic surface) demands a heavier ball or puck with excellent slide and stability (such as the Green Biscuit). Although there are unique needs for the different styles of street or roller hockey, there are certain products that serve multiple uses and may therefore be a better buy(such as the Green Biscuit).

Step 5

Step Five in choosing the right hockey training ball or puck for use in practice or training is based on which desired skill set you wish to improve. For example, if you wish to improve your stick-handling, it is recommended that you begin using a training ball or puck that is weighted and, if used on an outdoor or non-smooth surface, has exceptional glide (such as the Swedish Training Ball), before moving onto the lighter weight products (SmartHockey Training Ball) which allow the user to build up from general skills to more difficult and specific training techniques. In the same sense that stick-handling specific training balls or pucks are meant glide and mimic that action of a real puck, shooting specific training balls or pucks are designed to be weighted (normally the heaviest of all training balls or pucks) in order to help develop better accuracy(such as the Swedish Training Ball). As well, passing specific training balls or pucks are designed with balance in mind as they must have excellent glide as well as stable carry in order to make sure the player can better develop their passing skills (such as the Encore Hockey Fly Puck).