Basic Ringette

Gripping The Stick

Grasp the stick with the upper hand as close to the knob as possible. The palm should be on the outside of the wide edge of the stick, facing towards the body.

The lower hand should grasp the stick between 25 and 40 cm down the shaft of the stick. The actual distance will depend on comfort, strength and playing conditions. Another simple way to determine the space between the hands is to use the length of the forearm (i.e., keep the hands apart by the length of the forearm). The palm of the hand is on the inner side of the stick facing away from the body.

Complete the grip by wrapping the thumbs around the stick to touch the index fingers. The force with which the stick is held is dependent upon the game situation. When carrying the ring near an opponent, downward pressure on the stick is needed to avoid being checked.

It is important for the players to be able to skate with the end of the stick close to the ice. The grip should favor this efficient way of carrying the stick.

Carrying The Ring

Two Hands

When players are close to an opponent or intend to stick-handle, pass or shoot, they should hold their stick with two hands. Younger players should always be taught to use both hands.

The distance of the ring in front of the body depends upon the players height, stance, grip and shooting style. The players should use a distance that is comfortable to them and should be able to carry the ring to the front or the side while skating fast. An attempt should be made to keep the body between the ring and any checker.

The amount of space between the hands depends on the strength of the player and the game situation. The stick should be held across the body and the ring carried in a fashion most comfortable to the skating style. Some players may prefer to carry it well in front of the body, while others may prefer it at the side. The most important thing is to carry it in a position that is the least vulnerable to a check from an opponent. Excessive movement, whether it be side to side or back and forth may detract from skating speed. The closer the ring is to the body, the less vulnerable it will be.

In tight quarters, the ring can be carried to the forehand side in a ready position to pass or shoot.

One Hand

Many players will carry the ring with one hand on their stick on a breakaway, or when they wish to increase their skating speed on open ice when no opponent is close by. The stick is held at the grip end, and the ring is usually carried ahead and in front of the player or slightly to the side.

Players should remember that it is always more difficult to maintain control of the ring with one hand on the stick. Furthermore, all players should get into the habit of carrying the ring with a global vision of the ice surface and not concentrate all their attention on the ring. All players should practice going rapidly from a one-hand carry to a two-hand carry and vice-versa. It is also faster to go from a one-hand carry to a two-hand carry when the stick is held in front. There is also more available flexibility and strength to change the direction of the ring, than when the stick is carried to the side.

Passing

Since the rules require a pass at every blue line, the "Name of the Game" is to pass and receive a pass well. The aim of the game is to keep control of the ring and to advance it to the offensive zone in order to score goals. It must be remembered that the ring can be passed faster than it can be carried. However, too many passes may mean the loss of a scoring opportunity

To execute accurate passes, the stick must be inside the ring against the forward most side of the ring. It is not necessary for players to look at the ring because they can feel the position of the stick in the ring. Players making the pass should always do so with the head up, but without "telegraphing" their intentions.

The pass should always be firm. A "dribbler" is inaccurate; a "bullet" is difficult to receive. A pass should be made directly to a stationary receiver or should be directed to the position to which a moving receiver is going. Usually, the pass should be made to a receiver's forehand, stick side.

Uses of the Pass

The accurate pass requires skill in timing and judgment. The player should always try to use the most effective pass to maintain ring control and to make forward progress (advance towards the offensive zone).

The on-ice pass is the most controllable, most accurate and easiest pass to receive. Intermediate distance passes are the most reliable and the easiest to execute. The soft pass seldom reaches its destination. The speed of the pass is dependent on the game situation.

Beginning players tend to pass directly at a teammate, especially when in a stationary or semi-stationary position. They also have the tendency to pass through an opposing player. These circumstances arise because the receiving player assumes to be "in the clear" behind an opponent. What the receiver does not realize is that the opponent is blocking the passer. Players have to be trained to look for the players in the open and watch for the position of opponents.

Checking

The purpose of checking the ring carrier is to gain control of the ring. Since the body cannot be used for checking, the player must always play the ring. A players may only check an opponent who has possession of the ring or is in the act of gaining possession. Otherwise, it is interference.

Side Stick Check

Body Position

the checker should approach the opponent to be checked on the checker's stick side
the checker should be in a controlled and well balanced position (i.e., basic stance)
the checker requires a solid stick grip with the hands spaced comfortably.

Action

check with the bottom 1/3 of the stick using a rapid upward motion on the playing end of the opponent's stick
the checker must be in close proximity to the ring carrier
once the stick has been lifted, the checker attempts to put the stick into the ring.

Shooting

Shooting is a basic skill in Ringette, as the object of the game is to score goals on the opponent. The following tips will improve a player's chance of scoring when shooting at the net:

practice shooting at a small target to develop accuracy
shoot with the head up, looking for an opening. Don't shoot directly at the goalkeeper or without looking
shoot whenever there is a good chance to score, but don't waste shots from impossible angles
be aware of where the crease is when taking a shot
shoot while in motion rather than stopping to "tee up" a shot and giving the goalkeeper time to react. This also gives greater momentum to the shot
follow your shot in close to the crease in case of a rebound or the ring misses the net
always keep the stick close to the ice to pick up the rebounds

Just as there are various passes, there are different types of shots. These are basically the same as the passes, but in general, the shot is much more forceful than the pass. Therefore, the importance of using all possible sources of force is increased in the shot.

Sweep Shot

The method of executing this shot is the same as for the sweep pass.

Body Position

start using the basic stance and the basic grip
have the ring on the stick, to the side of the body
keep the head up and look at the target.

Action (from the left side)

to generate maximum force, the timing of the extension of joints is important. This must be a flowing motion, culminating in the strong flick of the wrists upon release
the strong wrist action results in the raising of the ring
the more sweeping action, generally, the harder the shot, but the longer the goalkeeper has to set up to block it
if accuracy is not sacrificed, a quick release is always better
the player with weaker wrists can produce more power in this shot by slightly rolling the stick in the ring as a wind-up to release.

Players should try to execute their shots with the maximum speed and force for the situation. Players should concentrate all their attention on the goalkeeper and choose the best spot at which to shoot.

Flip Shot

The flip shot is effective when the player is close to the goal and especially if the goalkeeper is down on the ice.

Action

the technique is essentially the same as the flip pass. The difference lies in the increased speed and strength of the wrist action in the flip shot
the player should control the follow-through if the ring continually goes over the net.

The flip shot is usually utilized on the forehand, but it can also be very effective on the backhand.

Backhand Flip Shot

The backhand flip shot is often used to score when the player is close to the net and raises the ring over the goalkeeper.

Action

the player draws the ring to the backhand side of the body (just on front of the back foot)

the ring should be positioned slightly to the side and in front of the body
weight is transferred from the back foot to the front foot as the ring is brought towards the front
the lower hand, with the palm facing upwards acts as a fulcrum for the shot
the upper hand and wrist are pushed rapidly and forcefully downward while the lower wrist and hand are drawn slightly upward i.e., using a shoveling motion.
the follow-through should aim at the target.

Positional Play The coach needs to define for the players the BASIC responsibilities of each position.
Forward	skate - do not stand still get free from the opposing player to receive a pass in the neutral zone make the play from the neutral to offensive zone in conjunction with forward, defense and center precede the play into the offensive zone maintain responsibility for one side of the ice check tenaciously throughout offensive and neutral zones when the opposition has the ring execute passes, receive passes and shoot skillfully.
Defense	work with defensive partner stay between opposition's offensive players and the goal or between your check and the ring control play in the neutral zone. intercept passes anticipate the opposition's offence create offensive play maintain defensive responsibility for either one side of the ice or for an opposing forward develop good mobility develop checking capabilities execute passes and receptions skillfully.
Center	skate - do not stand still maintain responsibility for center ice area in all zones get free from the opposing players to receive a pass in neutral, defensive and offensive zones complement the play of forwards and defense, providing support, coverage and availability check tenaciously in all zones when the opposition has the ring return quickly to slot position in the defensive zone when the opposition has the ring execute passes, receptions and shots skillfully develop your skating ability.
Goalkeeper	Goalkeepers play in the defensive zone, they are often in the best position to monitor the play in front, and can give instructions to their teammates. Furthermore, when goalkeepers get the ring, they can be very effective in starting an offensive play. As such, clearing break-out plays and free pass plays (defensive zone) should involve the goalkeeper from the beginning. learn the proper stance learn the basic moves react to situations on the ice follow the ring, not the player.

Finding Free Ice

One of the most important concepts of Ringette is finding free ice. First we will define what we mean by "free ice".

Whether you are the ring carrier, or a teammate waiting for a pass, it is important that you free yourself of your check. How many times do we see the ring passed to someone only to have their check take the ring from them or intercept the pass. This is a problem at all levels of play. We must teach the players to get themselves in a position away from their opponent so a safe pass can be made to them.

Ring Carrier

must be positioned between the ring and their opponent(s) in order to protect the ring
have to try to get away from their opponent(s) who is/are checking them
must evaluate the alternatives (pass, shoot, or stick handle)
must skate where there is less traffic to utilize the free ice available

Non-Ring Carriers

Must move in such a way to make it possible to receive passes and facilitate the circulation of the ring (e.g., stay in ring carrier's view)

Important Points To Check To Find Free Ice

maintain good balance (lower the center of gravity) so that you can go in any direction
changes in speed and/or direction are good ways to get away from a check
be ready at any time to "accelerate" as fast as possible
if the play doesn't progress, come back in order to help your partner
when you are checked by an opponent, keep skating and accelerate at an opportune moment.

Players' Positions Versus Teammates and Opponents

Non-ring carriers must get away from their opponents to receive a pass, i.e., be continuously in motion and look for free ice.

Visual Communication

At anytime, while being in motion, the player must be ready to receive a pass. To receive a pass, the non-ring carrier must have a visual communication with the ring carrier. The visual communication is an important element to consider. Avoid giving the ring away. Possession is the key to successful play.

Continuation

The motion of the ring must always be followed by a displacement of the players. As soon as you make a pass you must follow the play.

Gripping The Stick	Carrying The Ring	Receiving A Pass
Passing	Checking	Shooting
Positional Play	Finding Free Ice