The Art Of Fake Move In Hockey 2024

Discover the finesse and deception behind the ‘fake move in hockey.’ Explore the significance, execution techniques, and impact on gameplay in this insightful article.

Introduction

Hockey is a sport renowned for its fast-paced action, skillful maneuvers, and strategic gameplay. Among the arsenal of techniques employed by hockey players to outwit opponents and create scoring opportunities, fake moves stand out as a key element of deception and finesse. Whether it’s a slick stickhandling deke, a deceptive fake shot, or a cunning body fake, mastering the art of fake moves can elevate a player’s performance on the ice. In this article, we delve into the intricacies of the “fake move in hockey,” exploring their significance, execution, and impact on gameplay.

The Significance of Fake Moves In Hockey

• Fake moves in hockey serve multiple purposes, each contributing to a player’s ability to outmaneuver opponents and create scoring chances. 
• Firstly, fake moves are essential for deception, allowing players to mislead defenders and goaltenders about their intentions. 
• By executing convincing fake moves, players can draw defenders out of position, open up passing lanes, or create space to unleash a shot on goal. 
• Additionally, fake moves add an element of unpredictability to a player’s game, making it challenging for opponents to anticipate their next move. 
• Moreover, mastering fake moves demonstrates a player’s skill, creativity, and confidence on the ice, earning them respect from teammates, coaches, and fans alike.

Types of Fake Moves In Hockey

Fake moves in hockey encompass a diverse range of techniques, each requiring precision, timing, and finesse to execute effectively. Some common types of fake moves include

1. Stickhandling Fakes

Deke:

• A deke, short for “decoy,” is a deceptive move where a player with the puck manipulates their stickhandling to trick an opponent into thinking they will move in one direction, while actually moving in another.
• The player typically uses quick and precise movements of their stick to fake a shot, pass, or change in direction, causing the defender to commit in the wrong direction.
• Example: A player approaches a defender head-on, and then quickly shifts the puck to one side while moving their body in the opposite direction, causing the defender to move out of position.

Toe Drag:

• The toe drag is a stickhandling move where the player pulls the puck close to the tip of their stick blade and drags it around an opponent’s stick or body, often in a sideways motion, to evade them.
• The player uses the toe of their stick blade to control the puck while maneuvering it around the defender’s stick or body, maintaining close control throughout the move.
• Example: A player pulls the puck towards the toe of their stick blade while moving laterally, then quickly shifts it to the opposite side, pulling it away from the defender’s reach.

2. Shooting Fakes

Fake Shot:

• A fake shot is a deceptive motion made to resemble a shooting attempt, designed to fool the goaltender or defenders into reacting prematurely, creating openings for passing or shooting opportunities.
• The player performs the initial movements of a shooting motion, such as pulling the puck back or winding up, without actually releasing the puck toward the net, causing the opposition to react defensively.
• Example: A player winds up as if to take a slap shot, but instead holds onto the puck and quickly moves it to a teammate or takes a shot with a different angle or timing.

Fake Pass:

• A fake pass involves pretending to make a pass to a teammate to draw in defenders or the goaltender, only to retain possession of the puck or pass to a different teammate.
• The player executes the motion of a pass convincingly, often using their body and eyes to sell the fake, before either retaining possession or passing to an unexpected recipient.
• Example: A player looks towards a teammate as if to make a cross-ice pass, causing defenders to shift their positioning, but instead pulls the puck back and takes a shot on goal or passes to an open teammate.

3. Body Fakes

Head Fake:

• A head fake involves using subtle movements of the head and eyes to deceive opponents into believing the player will move in a certain direction, creating space or opportunities.
• The player shifts their gaze and head in one direction while moving their body in another, creating a convincing illusion of their intended movement.
• Example: A player looks towards one side of the ice while skating, causing the defender to react by shifting their positioning, but then quickly changes direction and accelerates in the opposite direction.

Hip Fake:

• A hip fake is a deceptive move where the player manipulates the movement of their hips to mislead opponents about their intended direction of movement, often used to create separation.
• The player uses a combination of body positioning and subtle movements of their hips to suggest a certain direction of movement before quickly changing direction.
• Example: A player angles their hips towards one side as if to make a sharp turn, causing the defender to anticipate their movement, but then smoothly transitions to skating in the opposite direction, leaving the defender trailing behind.

These various types of fake moves in hockey serve as essential tools for players to outsmart opponents, create scoring opportunities, and maintain possession of the puck.

Execution Techniques

Stickhandling Techniques

Quick hands:

• Quick hands refer to the ability of a player to move the hockey stick rapidly and skillfully to control the puck, perform dekes, and evade defenders effectively.
• Players with quick hands have the dexterity and hand-eye coordination to maneuver the stick swiftly while maintaining control of the puck, allowing them to execute deceptive moves with precision.
• Importance: Quick hands enable players to execute stickhandling fakes such as dekes and toe-drags with speed and agility, catching defenders off guard and creating scoring opportunities.

Puck control:

• Puck control is the skill of maintaining possession and manipulation of the puck while under pressure from opposing players.
• Players with excellent puck control possess the ability to keep the puck close to their stick blade, shield it from defenders, and make accurate passes or shots.
• Importance: Effective puck control is crucial for executing stickhandling fakes, as it allows players to maintain possession while performing deceptive moves such as toe drags and fake passes, keeping defenders guessing and creating openings in the defense.

Shooting Techniques

Weight transfer:

• Weight transfer involves shifting the body’s weight from one foot to another to generate power and accuracy in a shot.
• Proper weight transfer starts with the player loading their weight onto the back foot, then transferring it onto the front foot as they release the shot, using the momentum to propel the puck towards the target.
• Importance: Mastering weight transfer is essential for executing shooting fakes such as fake shots and fake passes effectively, as it helps to sell the deception and generate sufficient power in the shot attempt.

Timing:

• Timing refers to the ability of a player to execute a shot or pass at the optimal moment to deceive the goaltender or defenders.
• Good timing involves reading the movements of opponents and choosing the right moment to execute a fake move or shot, maximizing the chances of success.
• Importance: Proper timing is critical for executing shooting fakes, as well as stickhandling and body fake techniques, as it allows players to catch defenders off guard and create scoring opportunities by exploiting gaps in the defense.

Body Fake Techniques

Eye deception:

• Eye deception involves using the eyes to mislead opponents about the player’s intentions or direction of movement.
• Players can use subtle shifts in gaze or eye movement to feign a pass, shot, or change in direction, tricking defenders into committing in the wrong direction.
• Importance: Effective eye deception is a crucial component of body fake techniques, as it adds another layer of deception to the player’s repertoire, making it more difficult for defenders to anticipate their next move.

Body positioning:

• Body positioning refers to the orientation and movement of the player’s body in relation to the puck, opponents, and teammates.
• Players can use body positioning to shield the puck from defenders, create space, or mislead opponents about their intended direction of movement.
• Importance: Proper body positioning is essential for executing body fake techniques such as head fakes and hip fakes, as it helps to sell the deception and create opportunities for the player to evade defenders and create scoring chances.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Overcommitting to the Fake:

• One common mistake players make when attempting fake moves in hockey is overcommitting to the fake, which involves exaggerating the movement to the extent that it becomes predictable or leaves the player vulnerable to defensive pressure.
• Overcommitting to a fake can result in the player losing control of the puck, getting easily stripped by defenders, or being unable to recover quickly if the fake does not deceive the opponent.
• Solution: Players should focus on making subtle and controlled fake movements, ensuring that they maintain balance and puck control throughout the maneuver. It’s essential to sell the fake convincingly without compromising the player’s ability to react quickly to defensive pressure.

Poor Timing:

• Timing is critical when executing fake moves in hockey, as mistiming the fake can result in the opposing players easily reading the play and negating its effectiveness.
• Poorly timed fake moves can lead to missed scoring opportunities, turnovers, or defensive breakdowns, as the opposition may anticipate the player’s actions and adjust their positioning accordingly.
• Solution: Players should work on reading the movements of defenders and goaltenders to identify the optimal moment to execute a fake move. Practicing timing in various game situations and developing a sense of anticipation can help players execute fake moves with precision and effectiveness.

Lack of Variability:

• Another common mistake is relying too heavily on a single fake move or failing to incorporate a diverse range of fake techniques into one’s gameplay.
• Using the same fake move repeatedly makes it easier for opponents to anticipate the player’s actions and effectively defend against them. Additionally, lacking variability in fake moves limits the player’s ability to create scoring opportunities and keep defenders guessing.
• Solution: Players should strive to develop proficiency in a variety of fake moves, including stickhandling fakes, shooting fakes, and body fakes. Incorporating a diverse repertoire of fake techniques into one’s gameplay makes the player more unpredictable and challenging to defend against, increasing their effectiveness on the ice.

Practice Drills

Stickhandling Drills:

• Stickhandling drills focus on improving a player’s ability to control the puck with their stick, including techniques such as dekes, toe drags, and quick puck movements.
• Purpose: Stickhandling drills help players develop the hand-eye coordination, agility, and puck control necessary to execute fake moves effectively during games.
• Examples: Cone drills, figure-eight drills, obstacle courses, and stationary puck control exercises are common stickhandling drills used to improve a player’s puck-handling skills.

Shooting Drills:

• Shooting drills aim to enhance a player’s accuracy, power, and shot selection, including techniques such as fake shots, quick releases, and shooting off the pass.
• Purpose: Shooting drills help players develop the skills needed to execute shooting fakes convincingly, as well as to capitalize on scoring opportunities created by fake moves.
• Examples: Target shooting drills, one-timers, breakaway drills, and shooting off the rush are typical shooting drills used to improve a player’s shooting proficiency.

Game Simulation Drills:

• Game simulation drills involve replicating game-like scenarios and situations during practice, including offensive rushes, defensive transitions, and power-play setups.
• Purpose: Game simulation drills allow players to practice executing fake moves in realistic game situations, helping them develop the decision-making, timing, and anticipation required to succeed on the ice.
• Examples: Small-area games, scrimmage sessions, special teams drills, and situational drills are common game simulation exercises used to simulate real-game scenarios and prepare players for competitive play.

FAQs On Fake Move In Hockey

What is the significance of fake moves in hockey?

Fake moves in hockey serve multiple purposes, including deception, creating scoring opportunities, and adding unpredictability to a player’s game. By executing convincing fake moves, players can mislead defenders, open up passing lanes, and create space to unleash shots on goal.

What are some common types of fake moves in hockey?

Common types of fake moves in hockey include stickhandling fakes like dekes and toe drags, shooting fakes such as fake shots and fake passes, and body fakes like head fakes and hip fakes. Each type of fake move requires precision, timing, and finesse to execute effectively.

How can players improve their execution of fake moves?

Players can improve their execution of fake moves by focusing on key techniques such as quick hands for stickhandling, proper weight transfer for shooting, and effective eye deception and body positioning for body fakes. Practicing timing and variability in fake moves is also crucial for success on the ice.

What are some common mistakes to avoid when attempting fake moves in hockey?

Common mistakes to avoid include overcommitting to the fake, poor timing, and lack of variability in fake moves. Overcommitting can make the fake predictable, poor timing can lead to missed scoring opportunities, and lack of variability makes it easier for opponents to defend against.

Conclusion

Fake moves are an integral part of hockey, offering players a means to deceive opponents, create scoring opportunities, and showcase their skill and creativity on the ice. By mastering the art of fake moves and avoiding common mistakes, players can elevate their performance and make a significant impact on the outcome of the game. With dedication, practice, and strategic awareness, any player can become proficient in the art of deception, contributing to their team’s success and leaving a lasting impression on the ice.