Taping elbow pads

Another kit sighting, but more tricks wise, is that of taping elbow pads. Ice hockey and other versions generally have a velcro system to keep things in place when moving around goal and diving about, but taking some electrical tape you've got in your kit bag and taping it around the elbow pad can give extra support. Interesting to spot Chris Scott making use of this taping method. Assuming the point is to give more tension as with footie socks to keep the protection as close to the arm as possible. As always, proves that simple is more and a little trick here and there can make all the difference...

http://www.hockeyimages.co.uk/4n46923

Juggling as a pre-match warm up

Juggling a pair of hockey balls is a quick and easy drill to do before a game. Working your hand-eye co-ordination, it gets your 'eye' in gear; helping 'read' the game and focus on the ball (silent eye) to make the save as the ball comes into reach. Obviously juggling is something you can do off the pitch too. The technique is pretty popular in Australia as it seems, the link below is to an example of Andrew Charter juggling a couple of hockey balls getting himself ready for a game:

http://www.dcimages.org/photocart/index.php?do=photocart&viewGallery=10571#image=126005