The following guide is going to review some of the best hockey training aids to build your skills. After an ample amount of research, the best overall hockey training aid is the Hockey Revolution My Enemy.
As a child playing sports like hockey and others, you quickly learn the value of training. You can’t always be on the ice, so you need some helpful equipment that allows you to hone your skills, even on the days where you don’t have any time at the rink.
The My Enemy is a piece of training equipment aimed at improving your stickhandling, passing, coordination and reaction time, all of which are crucial to your success on the ice. It is easy to use, and also very portable.
While it is a popular piece of training equipment, it isn’t the only option. There are also pieces of equipment aimed at building up other skills like agility, balance, and shooting, just to name a few.
Keep reading to learn about some of the best hockey training aids to take your skills to the next level and be the best player possible for your team.
Contents
Top Hockey Training Aids
Here are my recommendations, as well as a closer look at each of the potential choices.
1. Hockey Revolution My Enemy Hockey Training Aid
- Best for: Great overall training in different areas.
- Main Functions: Help hockey players work on stickhandling, passing and more.
- Build Quality: Features durable materials that are also incredibly light.
- Value: Numerous different types of training for a fair price.
This comes in as the best overall option due to how versatile it is. It features interlocking segments that are adjustable, allowing you to customize the look and shape of the equipment for different drills and purposes.
This piece of equipment is great for building a range of different hockey-related skills. You can work on your stickhandling and deking, your precision passing, your hand-eye coordination and reaction time. It is rare to find a tool that can help with so many crucial elements of hockey.
This hockey training aid is incredibly light and portable, making it perfect to use anywhere, either on or off the ice. It weighs less than 2 lbs, and is perfect for everyone from a beginner, to a seasoned veteran looking to build up their skills.
There are also different models. The basic one is aimed more for beginner users (but can be used by anyone), but there are also larger versions that are meant for advanced users that are longer and feature more ribs.
One potential downside to this training aid is that it is a little thin and light, meaning it might get moved out of place due to an errant shot or hard pass.
==> You can also get it on PureHockey.com or Walmart.
2. Big B Pro Sports Agility Training Set
- Best for: Agility
- Main Functions: Assist players in building agility, better footwork and better cardio.
- Build Quality: All pieces are built using high-quality materials for prolonged use.
- Value: All you need to build up your agility, without breaking the bank.
Being agile is important in any sport, and hockey is no different. You need to have quick feet, be able to change direction fast and ultimately move with speed. This hockey training aid comes with all you will need to work on becoming a more agile athlete.
The cones make for perfect stickhandling and skating drills, the resistance bands can build up your explosive power and the agility ladder will give you the footwork required to skate with precision.
In addition to agility, the equipment in this bundle will also help you improve things like your stamina and cardio. Hockey is a very fast-paced and tiring game, so building up these while also working on agility is a true win-win situation.
Everything in the set is simple and ready-to-use, meaning you can get right to work without having to spend time putting anything together. The included carry bag also makes this set great for taking with you wherever you want to train.
A drawback of this agility training set is that the parachute isn’t as high-quality as it could be. It will still work, but may not be as durable as the rest of the items in this bundle and can be prone to ripping or tearing.
==> You can also get it at Walmart.
3. Revolution 101 Balance Board
- Best for: Balance
- Main Functions: Improve your balance, stability and strength.
- Build Quality: Heavy duty (yet light) composite construction and supports over 400 lbs.
- Value: Incredibly well-made product that will last, but it comes with a price.
There are few things more important than balance as a hockey player. In a sport where you skate around on ice at high speeds, you need to be able to keep your balance to stay on your feet and be an effective teammate.
If you want to build your balance, there are few better ways to do it than using this high-quality balance board. Trying to maintain your balance on these boards may be difficult at first, but it is one of the best and quickest ways to improve your balance on the ice.
These boards can also help with coordination, and can be combined with other drills (like stickhandling) for better results. This particular balance board features durasoft grip to feel great on your feet, whether you are wearing shoes or not. Using it won’t scratch your floors, either.
This balance board is built incredibly well and will last many years if treated right. It remains light and easy to carry with you, but is strong enough to support up to 400 lbs. It is small and compact enough to be stored almost anywhere, as well.
The most obvious downside of this product is the relatively high cost. There are cheaper options, but if you are serious about your balance and want a product that lasts, this is a good choice.
==> You can also get it on Scheels.com.
4. Franklin Sports Hockey Shooting Target
- Best for: Working on your shooting.
- Main Functions: Build shooting accuracy, and learn better shot placement.
- Build Quality: Extra heavyweight 600D construction for long-lasting durability.
- Value: Long-lasting and more affordable than many other options on the market.
Of course, one of the most important skills for any hockey player (outside of goalies), is to be able to shoot. Whether you want to unload a clapper from the blue line, or a wrister from the slot, it takes time to become a better scorer.
One of the best ways is by using a shooting target like this one. This strong 600D waterproof fabric will act like a goalie to ensure you build the accuracy you need for a real-life goalie. It features 7 target holes around the goalie, so you can learn the best shot placement.
The realistic goalie image is also a nice touch. It can be used with pucks or balls, and is easy to apply to your net, thanks to rugged self-stick straps. There are also multiple versions to fit different sizes of hockey nets.
One downside is that this product is only to be used with street hockey balls and lighter pucks. If you use regulation ice hockey pucks that are hard rubber, it could damage the product and lead to ripping or the weakening of the straps.
Best Hockey Training Aids: What to Look For
If you are looking for the best hockey training aids to improve your skills, here are a few factors to consider before making a purchase.
Equipment That Builds the Skills You Need
The first thing to look for when seeking out the best hockey training aids is that they build the skills you need. As you have seen through this guide, there are pieces of equipment that can help you build every skill from shooting, to passing, to deking and many others.
Depending on your unique skills, your needs out of training may be different than another player. If you already have a great shot, you may not need a training aid that builds shooting. Learn your weaknesses on the ice, and find training equipment that can help you build on them.
Build Quality
These training aids will see a lot of use, and will likely get hit with a lot of pucks, balls, sticks or shoes during use. If they are brittle or frail, they may not last you more than a few sessions. So always aim to get equipment that is built well and uses durable materials.
Also, be sure to treat these pieces of equipment with respect. While they might be durable and go through a lot of wear and tear, you still want to care for them well. Keep them clean, use them as intended, and always be careful when transporting them.
Portability and Ease of Use
Most of these hockey training aids will be used in your yard, in your garage, at a friend’s house, or even on the road if you are traveling for a game or tournament. As a result, they need to be portable enough to use anywhere. They should be light, easy to carry, and pack down well.
In addition to portability, these should be easy to set up, use, and take down. The easier they are to use, the less time you need to focus on putting them together and learning them, and the more time you can spend building up your skills as a hockey player.
My Verdict
In my opinion, the Hockey Revolution My Enemy is the best hockey training aid on the market today. It is versatile, adjustable, and can help you work on a ton of different skills, without needing a lot of space to do it.
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