Quick answer
The between-the-legs move pulls the puck from one side of your body to the other underneath you, passing it between your legs to escape a defender or set up a shot. To do it, get the puck onto the toe of your blade, open your legs, sweep the puck through the gap with a smooth pull, and catch it on the other side ready to shoot or keep skating. Start stationary and slow to learn the path, keep your head up, and only use it in a game when you have a real reason — it's a tool for tight spaces and shootouts, not for showing off. Master control first; speed and flash come later.
Key takeaways
- The move carries the puck between your legs from one side to the other to beat a defender or open a shooting lane.
- Control comes from the toe of the blade and a smooth pull, not a hard swipe.
- Learn it stationary and slow before ever trying it in motion.
- Keep your head up — the move is useless if you're staring at the puck.
- Use it with a purpose: tight to the net, on a breakaway, or in a shootout — not every rush.
- A stickhandling ball or trainer builds the soft hands the move needs.
What the move is for
The between-the-legs move is a puck-protection and deception tool. Because the puck disappears under your body for an instant, a defender loses track of it, and you come out the other side with the puck on a new angle. It's most useful in tight — jamming a puck through your legs to a backhand shot in the slot, on a breakaway to change the goalie's read, or in a shootout. It is not a move to spam up the ice. In thirty years I've seen far more turnovers from a poorly-timed fancy move than goals, so I teach it as a real skill with a real purpose, not a highlight.
How to do it, step by step
- Set the puck. Bring the puck to the toe of your blade on your forehand side, cupped so it won't slide off.
- Open your legs. Widen your stance and bend your knees to create a clear gap under your body.
- Pull it through. Sweep the puck smoothly on the toe of the blade through the gap between your legs. Cue: "pull, don't push."
- Catch it behind. Receive the puck on the other side with soft hands, blade ready.
- Finish. Come out ready to shoot (often a quick backhand) or keep skating with the puck under control.
Coach Erik's tip: The first thing I check is the blade — players try to do this move with the flat or heel and the puck rolls off every time. It lives on the toe. Get the puck on the toe, keep the blade cupped, and the pull becomes smooth and repeatable. Do it in front of a mirror or on video until the path is automatic before you add a defender.
Progression: stationary to full speed
| Stage | What to do | Move on when… |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Stationary slow | Pull the puck through and catch it, no shot | 10 clean reps in a row each direction |
| 2. Stationary + shot | Pull through, then quick backhand shot | You can shoot without looking down |
| 3. Walking | Do the move while stepping forward | Puck stays controlled through the steps |
| 4. Gliding / skating | Do it in motion at half speed | Clean at half speed, head up |
| 5. With a defender/cone | Use it to beat an obstacle in tight | You choose it only when it fits |
Drills to build it
Soft hands make this move possible. Train on a smooth surface with a stickhandling trainer and a stickhandling ball for touch, and use a cone or a chair as your "defender."
- Path reps. 3×10 slow pulls through your legs and back, no shot. Groove the toe-of-the-blade path.
- Move-to-shot. 3×8 between-the-legs into a quick backhand at a target.
- Head-up reps. Do the move while reading a number a partner holds up. Trains eyes off the puck.
- Cone beat. 3×6 using the move to slip a puck past a cone in tight, then finish.
Build the broader skill set with our dangles guide and stickhandling tips.
Coach Erik's tip: A flashy move you can only do standing still has no value in a game. The test is whether you can do it with your eyes up and finish with a shot. Until then, keep it in the driveway. The players who actually score with this move drilled the boring stationary reps a hundred times first.
Common mistakes
- Using the flat or heel of the blade. The puck rolls off. Fix: carry it on the toe, cupped.
- Legs too close. No gap to pull through. Fix: widen your stance and bend your knees.
- Pushing instead of pulling. Loses control. Fix: pull the puck through smoothly.
- Staring at the puck. You can't read the play. Fix: drill it head-up before using it live.
- Overusing it. Turnovers pile up. Fix: use it only in tight spaces, breakaways, or shootouts.
- No finish. The move alone doesn't score. Fix: always come out ready to shoot or make a play.
FAQ
Is the between-the-legs move hard to learn?
The basic path is easier than it looks once you carry the puck on the toe of your blade and open your legs. What takes time is doing it with your head up, in motion, and finishing with a shot. Drill it stationary and slow first, and it comes surprisingly quickly.
When should I use it in a game?
Use it with a purpose: in tight to the net, on a breakaway to change the goalie's read, or in a shootout. It's a tool for tight spaces and one-on-one moments, not something to try on every rush, where it just leads to turnovers.
Which part of the blade carries the puck?
The toe. Keep the puck cupped on the toe of the blade and pull it smoothly through your legs. Trying to use the flat or heel is the number-one reason the puck rolls off during this move.
Can I practice it off the ice?
Yes — it's a great off-ice move. Use a stickhandling ball or trainer on a smooth surface, groove the path slowly, then add a quick backhand shot. Off-ice reps with your head up transfer directly to the ice.
Do I need to be fast to do it?
No. Control comes first, speed later. A slow, clean between-the-legs move that ends in a shot beats a fast one where you lose the puck. Learn it stationary, then gradually add movement and pace.
Is it just for show?
Not when it's used right. In tight spaces it genuinely protects the puck and beats a defender by hiding it under your body. Used at the wrong time, though, it's a turnover waiting to happen — that's why timing and purpose matter as much as the technique.
Summary
The between-the-legs move is a real puck-protection tool, not just flash: carry the puck on the toe, open your legs, pull it smoothly through, and come out ready to shoot. Drill it stationary and slow, add movement and a finish, keep your head up, and save it for tight spaces, breakaways, and shootouts. Build the hands behind it with our dangles guide and stickhandling ball drills, and explore the Hockey Stickhandling hub for more.
