The hockey handbook

by Lloyd Percival

Originally published in 1951, and rejected at the time by one NHL coach as “the product of a three-year-old mind,” Lloyd Percival’s The Hockey Handbook went on to become an internationally recognized classic. Russian and European coaches seized on the book as the first authoritative, analytical treatment of hockey fundamentals and based their training regimes on the principles Percival described. The father of Russian hockey, Anatoli Tarasov, wrote to Percival: “Your wonderful book which introduced us to the mysteries of Canadian hockey, I have read like a schoolboy.”

Now, nearly half a century later, The Hockey Handbook remains in a class by itself. It is the first book required by players or coaches at all levels of proficiency who are setting out to develop their own or their team’s hockey skills.

Wayne Major, Larry Sadler, and Robert Thom are all experienced amateur hockey coaches who came to appreciate the practical value of Percival’s pioneering work. In revising the text, they drew upon the expertise of a variety of specialists, including, for example, Dr. Tom Sawa, who updated the chapter on training and conditioning, to give The Hockey Handbook a new relevance to modern hockey coaches. Now redesigned and issued in an easy-to-use format, the book will serve as an inspiration and guide to future generations of players and coaches.

Genres: Sports, Hockey

322 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 1992

Reviews

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book that was published well before its time - and still a good read.

[Brian · Rating 3 out of 5]

5/7/2004 - 6/10

I read The Hockey Handbook because I've started playing in a rec hockey league. I've taken some lessons in skating and basic hockey skills which have helped me progress a ton since the pond hockey days. I was hoping to learn more of hockey strategy (offensive and defensive), different styles, and positioning. I really wanted a high-level discussion with basic guidelines for a would be hockey hack. This book was much more detailed, with lots of specific drills and detailed plays. I think it was more geared towards coaches. Even some of the drills and positioning and techniques were a little confusing. It could have used a lot more diagrams to help explain things.

For more info, check out:
Hockey Tips
Hockey Drills
Hockey DB - Stats, etc

[Snail in Danger (Sid) Nicolaides · Rating 3 out of 5]

A classic instructional book for the sport. Initially obscure in Canada, but it formed the basis of the Soviet hockey program.

[Tom Menner · Rating 4 out of 5]

The definitive book on learning basic hockey skills (skating, puck handling, shooting) and positional play.