Play Better Hockey - 2nd Edition by Ron Davidson (Paperback)

About the Book

"This books gives readers the tools they need to develop their hockey skills and master body position, skating and stick work."--

Book Synopsis

Learn the very same skills that Connor McDavid and Auston Mathews use to dominate the NHL!

Following the smash success of Play Better Hockey, the second edition of Ron Davidson's best-selling volume has been retooled with even more individual skill advancements for the modern player.

From fundamentals to high-level skills, Play Better Hockey gives players the tools they need to become the next superstars of the NHL by focusing on the development of individual hockey skills and by promoting a mastery of body positioning, skating and stick work. Learning these skills gives players a strong fundamental understanding of how to move effectively on the ice in any gameplay situation.

The skills are organized to allow readers to progress from fundamentals in skating and stick work to advanced moves in dekeing and deception.

Davidson's progressive-learning approach teaches beginners the proper techniques, hones the skills of intermediate-level players and challenges elite players with the additional skills they need.

Below are a few of the skills players can be expected to learn in this retooled second edition:

Drive and delay

Heel-to-heel turns

Tight turns

Extending your reach

Receiving off-target shooting

Shot-blocking techniques

Tip-ins and deflections

Shooting between your legs

The Forsberg deke

The Datsyuk deke

The outside-edge reverse

And many more...

Review Quotes

[Review of previous edition: ] Coaches and parents you now have the chance to have an instruction manual on hockey skills. Ron Davidson has put a book together with great instructions on skating, shooting, and handling the puck...Davidson gives you the how, now you have to pass it on and make sure the player and you are having fun doing it.-- "The Toronto Sun" (10/31/2010 12:00:00 AM)

[Review of previous edition: ] At last! A book that focuses on the development of individual hockey skills.--Joe Pelletier "Hockey Book Reviews" (6/29/2009 12:00:00 AM)

[Review of previous edition: ] Davidson makes the point in his introduction that even those well versed in the sport of hockey can learn -- the greats are great because they never stop learning and practicing. The technical knowledge contained within the book is fantastic but is not overwhelming due to the highly visual presentation.... This book is laid out in a way that even a beginner like me can follow it through and get some good ideas -- or at least an understanding of what is happening in the good 'ole hockey game. However, the advanced beginner or aspiring player would get a lot more from it. Davidson has laid out the topics from gearing up to skating essentials down to dekeing and deception to breakaways and all the puckhandling, passing and shooting you can wish for in between. This book would appeal to anyone who wants to learn more about hockey or a hockey player that wants to learn how to play a stronger game.--Alison Edwards "Resource Links" (12/1/2010 12:00:00 AM)

[Review of previous edition: ] This is a book that many aspiring hockey players have been anticipating. Former player and hockey instruction consultant Ron Davidson has written a clear, detailed guide for developing individual hockey skills. Using high quality photographs of some of the NHL's finest players to demonstrate the skills, Play Better Hockey promotes a mastery of body positioning, skating, and stick work.-- "Hometown Hockey, Ontario Minor Hockey Association" (12/1/2010 12:00:00 AM)

About the Author

Ron Davidson played on Canada's national team at the Lake Placid Olympics in 1980. He has directed hockey camps, schools and clinics in Canada, the U.S. and throughout Europe, and he has directed schools and clinics for the NHL's Phoenix Coyotes and Ottawa Senators. In Ontario, students can learn from him at his UltraSkills Academy.