When you are a beginner learning ice hockey, you need to be proficient in ice skating and stick handling (passing, receiving, and throwing the puck). Mastering these two skills can take years and years, but as a beginner you can distinguish yourself by learning a few “tricks.” These are smaller skill pieces that add a bit of flair and flare to your game. Anytime you watch experts play (collegiate or pro), you can see these little flashes of brilliance from each player when they’re warming up and when they’re playing. Here are five that your teammates will notice.

1. Running to the Ice: When you come out of the locker room and the ice door is open, try to run down the catwalk for a bit. Once you reach the gate, jump onto the ice and start skating. I like this entry for that pregame skate. The smooth transition from “land” to ice demonstrates balance and a good understanding of skating. Plus, you just made a spectacular entrance!
2. Jumping over the boards: When you change lines in hockey, the open door is reserved for people coming off the ice. When you enter the game, you should be standing next to the boards, so you can jump on them and start skating to your position. Practice this, so you get used to the feel of the ice as you jump. You can straddle the boards, but I’ve seen players jump on them and it looks very dramatic. I’ve also seen people fall when jumping on boards, and it’s a bit embarrassing, so practice this (see point 4 though).
3. Picking up a puck by hand: During a stoppage in game action, if you are near the puck, consider picking it up and then throwing it to the nearest referee. This small action of picking up the disc with your hand will demonstrate your balance. Since you are holding a club and wearing gloves, you will also need to practice removing the glove by tucking it under your arm. Bending down to pick up the puck will involve straightening your legs and bending your knees in order to reach the ice. When done correctly, it’s a smooth motion. As your skills grow, you can practice picking up the puck with the stick, but master picking by hand first.
4. Jumping after falling: As a beginner, you will fall many times while learning and playing ice hockey. You should practice getting up from a fall as quickly as you can. When I watch the pros play, they seem to “pop” on both feet after landing. This is something you can practice. Wearing your shin guards (with knee pads), skate forward, then drop to a knee. Can you put a skate? Do you know how you will push up to get the other leg under you? For a simpler exercise, kneel on the ice and then “stand up” and reach your fastest skating speed. Remember, it’s not how you fall, it’s how you get up.
5. Dribbling the puck with your feet: As a beginner, it will be quite difficult to manipulate the puck with the stick, but spend some time getting used to bouncing the puck on the skates. In practice, or in warm-ups, open your foot and try to “catch” the puck, just like in soccer. Then, once the puck is at your feet, try to kick it towards the blade of your skate. This is a good ability when fighting boards; it may be easier to kick the puck into open space. One of the most common foot dribbling moves you’ll see from expert players is kicking the puck that’s somehow way behind them, all the way to the stick. It’s a real skill move, practical and pretty to look at.

All sports are full of little tricks and hockey is no exception. I recommend these five to any beginner who is starting to play regularly.