The Smart Hockey Training Ball – On-Ice Feel on Any Surface

smarthockeyball_review_post1The  Smart Hockey Training Ball provides players the ability to practice stickhandling skills on any off-ice surface.  The ball mimics the feel of an actual puck and works on virtually any surface.  So is it worth it? Here is our review of the Smart Hockey Training Ball:

Overview: The Smart Hockey Training Ball is recognized as the #1 off-ice training ball in the world. It can be found in the locker rooms of NHL and leading college hockey teams.

Purpose: The core, weight, height, bounce and slide of the Smart Hockey Training Ball are matched to mimic the feel of an ice puck while playing on any off-ice surface. It is a helpful training aid that enables players to work on summer dry land stickhandling.

Price: $9.95 for 1 ball

Video: Here is a video demonstrating some drills using the Smart Hockey Training  Ball.

Smart Hockey Training Ball Features:

  • The patented 2-piece ball technology combines Surlyn® shell with high-density, low rebound space-age thermoplastic core to give training ball the exact feel of an ice hockey puck.
  • The solid core covered by the surlyn shell eliminates any pliancy or “smushing” of the ball between the stick and the skating surface  regardless of the training surface.
  • The ball is slightly lighter than an ice hockey puck to compensate for the extra friction of off-ice surfaces; the difference in weight makes the ball “feel” like a puck, making it ideal to help develop puck control, shooting and passing.
  • The diameter of ball is 2.1875 in, making it only one tenth of an inch higher than an ice hockey puck.
  • When dropped from a vertical distance of three feet a frozen ice hockey puck and the SmartHockey ball only bounce 11 in.

Parent and Player Perspective: For practicing stickhandling only—no shots—the Smart Hockey Training Ball is ideal. Unlike street hockey balls, it’s the same weight as a standard puck (although heavier than the blue pucks that Mites use), offering a more realistic feel. And unlike training pucks, it’s taller and doesn’t flip over, making it easier to manipulate on non-slick surfaces such as carpet or sport courts. The ball glides nicely, particularly if you tape and wax the blade of your stick. All the testers found the Smart Hockey Training Ball to be a fun and addictive pastime, offering great bang for your 10 or so bucks. One warning: Don’t shoot it. Lifting a ball is so different from lifting a puck that you won’t learn anything, but you may very well break something.

Final period: The Smart Hockey Training Ball is the #1 selling ball worldwide and used by many top professional and amateur players. It is a valuable training aid that will improve your player’s stickhandling skills. For more information on the Smart Hockey Training Ball, please visit HockeyShot.com

Editor’s Note: For a limited-time, when you use the code “teamcares″ at HockeyShot.com, you will receive 10% off any purchase.

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