6 Best ice hockey stick handling tools & trainers (2022)

With limited time on the ice, the only way to improve your hockey game is by practicing at home.
Especially when it comes to stick handling.
But what should you use? The choice is large.
Well, I have narrowed down the options for you, to make it easier. 
Below are my selections of the best hockey stick handling tools to create a fantastic set up for you to practice.

This article may contain affiliate Links (info on the Disclosure page). If you purchase using my link, I get a commission at no extra cost to you.

Best hockey stick handling trainers - summary

Below is a summary of the best options, for each type of stick handling training aid. They are an essential part of your off-ice training equipment kit.

Self-contained stick handling training sets / trainers

Let's start with some self-contained set ups. For those, you will only need your own stick (and maybe a puck).
The advantage is that they come with a variety of exercises already available and you can set them up anywhere you want.

Best hockey stick handling training aids

Next you have tools with specific shapes to help you work on specific drills:

• The stick handling bars (articulated or not) to control your puck around obstacles (see my top choice below and alternative further in the article)
• The attack triangles or attackers - they imitate the stick position of an attacker in front of you and you can practice avoidance maneuvers.
• The passers - they allow you to imitate receiving a pass and practice your controlled reception - several shapes exist - see my article on the best passers

However, you need to complete your set up to make the most of those tools.
You can practice on 3 different surfaces at home: 

• On the (concrete) floor directly
• On a shooting pad
• On synthetic ice, to be able to wear your skates

In many cases, you need to complete your set up to maximize your training while not damaging the surface.

Here is what your need:

Practice on concrete or other floors directly

• A green biscuit - a hockey stick handling training puck that is lighter but with the friction of the floor, it feels quite chose to gliding on the ice
• A training ball - an alternative to a puck that is more adapted to a concrete floor
• A wrap-around to protect your stick and avoid damaging it against the hard floor

Practice on synthetic ice

Your 3rd option is to practice on synthetic ice.
This way you can be on your skates, working on your balance as you repeat your stick handling drills.
Learn more on my article about the best synthetic ice for hockey.

You can read the reviews of all those tools after the tips.

They all make great gifts for hockey players or hockey gifts for kids.

8 Tips to practice stick handling at home with training aids

#1 - Practice as much as you can

Stick handling is a matter of hand-eye coordination, reaction time and muscle memory.
The only way to truly improve is to practice very regularly, especially during your off-ice hockey workouts.

#2 - Always warm up

Because those exercises can feel like fun and now bog deal, many will just set up their system and start playing with the puck or ball.
However, it does require many muscles and fast movements.
It is essential to warm up your whole body before starting - especially your arms, shoulders, wrists, torso and neck.

#3 - Don't hold the stick too tight

Because we feel it will give us more control of our stick (and thus puck), we have a natural tendency to grip the stick firmly.
But, by relaxing your bottom hand to have a looser grip. It will allow you to move the stick further away or closer to your body.

#4 - Vary the positions

We always have a tendency to set ourselves in the same position and practice over and over.
However, hockey is fast game where you are constantly changing directions, as well as your teammates and opponents.
The situations are different all the times.
Therefore, you need to practice a wide variety of set ups:

• Move the position of your feet (even stand on one foot sometimes or stand on a balance board for increased difficulty)
• Move the position of the training aid compared to your body (even to the back)
• Move your height (standing up or being unbalanced and in flexion)
• Change the distance to the training aid
• Move the puck around your entire body
• ...

#5 - Relax your shoulders

The tighter your shoulders, the less range of motion you have.
But what you need is a maximum range of motion! So, relax your shoulders.

#6 - Don't look straight at the puck

Once you are not a complete beginner any more, you should practice stick handling while looking up.
As you play hockey, you must be constantly looking to where you are going and where your team mates are. You must not look directly at the puck and be oblivious of all that is going on around you.
So you should practice the same way. Make sure to look up. And try using your peripheral vision to control the puck.

#7 - Keep the puck moving

Whatever happens, the puck should always be in movement.
If you stop, the opponent attacks. If it keeps moving, the opponent hesitates, wondering where it is going.

#8 - Take notes 

Make sure to take notes of what you practice on and your progress.
It will help:

• vary the exercises
• appreciate the effort 
• realize the progress made

Best stick handling training sets - Reviews

Let's start with the stick handling complete training sets.
Pros:

• No need to buy anything else (except maybe a puck)
• Come with exercises so you don't wonder what to work on next
• Provide a good variety of exercises

Cons:

• upfront cost

#1 - Hockey revolution training floor review

Specifications:

• Size of tile - combination = 91 x 39.4 x 0.43 inches
• Quantity pack - 21 tiles - with a mix of colors and symbols (15 white, 6 colored) / or 35 for the pro system
• Material - can use them both indoor and outdoor 
• Set includes 2 passers
• Includes an application to help you improve your reaction time and vary exercises
• Made in Europe
• Puck slides great

Review:

A great combination of products if you want more guidance for your off-ice training. The combos will make you work on a variety of drills and stick-handling maneuvers. It is especially good because the app makes you react rather than repeat the same movement.

Buy it / Read reviews

#2 - Electronic Superdeker

Specifications: 

• Electronic pad - The sensor can sense the location of the SuperDeker Puck
• A game system with a time countdown and scoring - a light appears indicating where you have to bring the puck
• Polycarbonate surface to feel like real ice
• Includes: 2 SuperDeker rebounder bands, 1 SuperDeker ePuck, 1 bottle of SuperDeker Zero Friction Ice Spray

Review:
This is a great system that makes practicing even more fun.
The fact that the system is the one telling you where to bring the puck makes you work on your reaction time and hand-eye coordination. You don't have to worry about the variety of exercises as the situations will always change.

Buy it / Read reviews on Pure Hockey

#3 - Sauce Kit

Specifications:

• Set include: 2 synthetic ice boards, 2 goals with netting and springs, 8 hockey pucks and cones
• It also comes with a booklet
• Size - Boards are 24"x36"
• The openings of the goals are 12" wide 8" high

Review:

Maybe not the best for technical practice, but definitively the most fun you can have.
This is a great kit to practice with friends anywhere.

Buy it / Read reviews

Best stick handling training tools - Reviews

Now let's have a look at the stick handling tools you can set up on floor or tiles to practice your stick handling.
There are 3 main types of trainers that are best for your drills.

• The stick handling bars (articulated or not) to control your puck around obstacles (see my top choice below and alternative further in the article)
• The attack triangles or attackers - they imitate the stick position of an attacker in front of you and you can practice avoidance maneuevers.
• The passers - they allow you to imitate receiving a pass and practicing your controlled reception - several shapes exist - see my article on the best passers

Below are some of the best options for each type of training aids.

Bar - Hockey Revolution Bars review

Specifications:

• Size - length vary - 3 models 65" (165cm) with 5 ribs - 91" (231cm) with 7 ribs - 126" (320cm) with 7 ribs
• Articulated, so you can create many scenarios for training
• Can be used on and off the ice, on any surface
• Easy to transport
• Comes with a training app - to give direction and work on reaction time
• Made in Europe

Review:

Thanks to the articulation, these bars can be adjusted to different angles. This way, you create your own drills and practice multiple techniques: octagon, line, zigzags...
It is ideal to practice soft hands, puck control, reaction time and coordination.

Choose length / Buy it / Read reviews

Here is a video on the brand's channel, to give you some ideas:

Bar - Fast hands hockey stickhandling training aid review

Specification:

• Size - 5 ribs
• Fixed shape - Half octagon
• 1 inch steel pipe
• Can be used on and off the ice
• You can get printable drills to guide you in your practice
• Built in the United States

Review:

A similar set up but without the flexibility of changing the shape. It is great to practice fast hands:
Either speed up your stick handling and work on more intricate patterns or slow down and focus on sharp movements.

Buy it / Read reviews

Bar - Sniper's Edge Sweethands stickhandling Trainer review

Specifications:

• Packs of 4 or 8 sections
• Can only be attached straight
• But you can use 1, 2 or as many as you want as they can be attached to one another
• Easy to set up and transport
• Can be used on and off the ice
• Made in the USA

Review:

Great tool for dangling and Deke drills, as well as other stick handling practice.
The main advantage is the versatility because you can connect as many as you want. You can create a long straight line or set up an obstacle course with several pieces in different positions.

Buy it / Read reviews for pack of 8 sections

Buy it / Read reviews for pack of 4 sections

Sniper's Edge Hockey Attack Triangle review

Specifications:

• Replicates the positioning of an opponent's skates and stick
• Hard & Durable Plastic
• Easy to assemble and transport
• Can be used on and off the ice
• Made in the USA

Review:

Great to practice natural moves - It forces players to develop puck movement skills and understanding of lanes.
Best simulation of real game.
But less versatile than the bars.

Buy it / Read reviews

HockeyShot Rush Defender review

Specification:

• 2 stick blades imitating opponents to create obstacle course
• Belt to attach them together for some drills
• Durable, high-impact rubber and steel
• Can be used on and off the ice with mooring pins to avoid sliding

Review:

Good tool to imitate the space taken with the stick of an opponent.

Buy it / Read reviews

Passer - Sniper's Edge Pass Master

Specifications:

• For up to 3 players at a time
• Can be used on and off the ice (removable ice-spikes)
• Flat surface - yes
• Length of side - 20"
• Weight - 19lbs
• Rebounding edges (passing lanes) - 3
• Rebound - high-strength reflex band

Review:

Great to practice at home and improve your skills, as well as on the ice for teamwork with 3 players at a time.
This is a very versatile option and one of the best sellers on the market.
Durable with its steel shell and high-quality band.

Buy it  / Read reviews on Amazon
or Buy it / Read reviews on Pure Hockey

Passer - HockeyShot Extreme Passer Clamp On Review

Specifications:

• Use on shooting pad or synthetic ice - yes (using a clamp)
• Length - 30" with 25" passing slot
• Rebounding edges (passing lanes) - 1
• To be used off-ice only
• Rebound - durable bungee cord for quick pass returns
• Great for - one-timers, passing drills, quick hand drills
• Handle for transport

Review:

Excellent product for use at home with a shooting pad or synthetic ice.
Good rebound and durability. Sturdy, it gives great consistent passes.

Buy it / Read reviews on Pure Hockey

Complete your set up to practice at home - Reviews

You can practice on 3 different surfaces at home: 

• On the (concrete) floor directly
• On a shooting pad
• On synthetic ice, to be able to wear your skates

In any cases, you need to complete your set up to maximize your training while not damaging.
And don't forget to wear your hockey gloves, to imitate on-ice practice!

Green Biscuit - Hockey Stick Handling training puck - Review

On normal floor, the classic hockey puck won't slide.
The most famous replacement is the Green Biscuit puck to work on stick handling off the ice.

Specification:

• Slide effortlessly on any rough surface (reduces the friction)
• Size - 3" x 3" x 1"
• Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Made of two pieces of hard plastic connected with three metal bolts and rubber spacers in between.

Review:
This is one of the best options to practice on concrete, when you don't have a shooting pad or synthetic ice.
The anti-friction system allows it to slide on the concrete almost like a puck on the ice without flipping.
However, be careful, it is only for stick handling and puck control, not for shooting practice.

Buy it / Read reviews on Amazon
Buy it / Read reviews on Pure Hockey

Smarthockey training ball - Review

Another option when practicing on a concrete floor is to go for a ball.
It does not give you the exact same feeling as a puck, but you can still practice controlling your stick.

Specifications:

• 3 balls of different weight
• 6oz./55mm (2.16") for puck simulation
• 3oz./44mm (1.73") for hand speed
• 10oz./41mm (1.61") for wrist strength

Review:

Good versatility thanks to the difference in weight and size. It allows to practice various techniques of your stick handling and work on your muscle memory.

Buy it / Read reviews

Stick blade wrap-around - Review

And of course, when practicing on a concrete floor, you don't want to damage your stick blade.
The best options is to add a wrap-around. It is a plastic protective sleeve to prevent it from being ruined when using it in the driveway or street.

Specifications:

• Durable but very lightweight plastic - 1.4 ounces (39 grams)
• Slap shot ready when taped
• Fits senior, intermediate, and junior sticks, and both right- and left-handed sticks (however, once put on a curved blade it won’t fit well on a different one)

Review:

Great solution to protect your expensive stick for when you practice on a rough surface.
Plus, it keeps your curve.
It is recommended to tape your stick under and over the wrap around.

Buy it - 2 colors / Read reviews

Best shooting pad

But if you want a practice experience closer to that off ice, I recommend purchasing a shooting pad or shooting tiles to slide your puck around.
Criteria to choose include:

• Material / quality of the surface
• Durability
• Portability
• Size
• ...

Best synthetic ice

And, of course, if you have the space and the budget, the synthetic ice is also a great option.
This way you can practice your stick handling with your skates on.

Criteria to choose your synthetic ice include:

• Coefficient of friction
• Hardness
• Interlocking system
• Thickness
• ...

Learn more on my article on the best synthetic ice for hockey practice.

Homemade stick handling tools

Use everyday objects

If your budget is limited, you can also get creative to create training systems that give you part of the experience the options listed below provide.
For example:

• Chalk - to draw on the floor and create zones like the first set we saw at the top, or the create lines to follow (choose large ones for sidewalk)
• Cones - to create obstacles and be able to shoot into them without fear of damaging.
• Tire - to move the puck around with amplitude and control over the tire
• Let your imagination run wild...

Build your own homemade stick handling tools

• With PVC pipes and connectors, you can create a straight stickhandling bar like the Sniper's Edge Sweethands listed above - check out this video
• With PVC pipes again you can build your own defender stick - check out this video

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