Things I learned from hockey.

I'm busy packing up the coaching books for hockey. There are some gems of advice in these books that I'm having a hard time putting away!

Angling In: Skating into the boards at an angle means better puck control and less risk of injury.
- Skating in on an angle affords players a better approach angle to the puck, and by giving the body a safe position to accept an impact with the boards, it allows players to keep skating and gain control of the puck.
- When players skate into the corners at an angle, the risk of hitting the boards with their helmets first is greatly reduced. A leg, side or arm will absorb most of the impact.

Important points of "angling in"
- Go in on an angle.
- Keep a low center of gravity.
- Knees bent, back straight and head up.
- Absorb the shock over the widest possible part of your body.
- Keep your feet parallel to the boards.
- Forearms - hands - legs ready.
- Lean into the impact.
- Never hit the boards or glass with the tip of your shoulder.
- Check over your shoulder to see where your opponent is.

Taking a Check:
Heads up - don't duck.
Keep your head out of it.
Know where your opponents are.
Skate through the check.

Giving a Check:
Separating the puck from your opponent, not separating your opponent from consciousness.

The box count is at...

9 small and 1 medium.

DVD's, the good china (packed with some of my fabric), books, textbooks and canning/camping supplies.

2 kitchen cupboards are completely empty, several bookshelves in the den are half emptied and the DVD bookshelf is 2/3's empty.

We've still got a lot of packing and sorting to do and the wall of boxes is already looking intimidating. Next up are the rest of my college textbooks and then probably sorting through old clothes before hitting the sewing supplies. Then I may have the gumption to start packing canned goods. I'm a little scared of breaking one of those in transit!!!

The Crowned Flower screens are hopefully ready for use. I think I may have to touch up one before I can use it. I'll be glad to get those shirts printed and sent off. One more project complete is one less on the to-do list! I've got a long-overdue housewarming gift + baby gift ready to go as soon as I can find everything. One of the items is hiding in the clean clothes and I've yet to locate it. There's a dress hanging up for the niece that needs some embellishment, then it will be ready to ship out.

Alrighty. Rambling post, but I had to note that packing is starting! Trying to sort out the excess as I go, but that may not last long. I'm already tired of packing! Just throw it all in boxes!! YERGH!!!