--- title: Articles | 4Check Hockey description: Puck Battles | Discover weekly tips, insightful articles, and essential tools to enhance your skills as a hockey player, coach, or parent. Learn how to effectively use our custom hockey dummies for training, checking, contact, injury prevention, and concussion prevention. --- [![4Check Hockey](https://4checkhockey.com/hubfs/4Check%20Logo%202025_white.png)](https://4checkhockey.com/) [Programs](https://4checkhockey.com/pricing) [About](https://4checkhockey.com/about) [Resources](https://4checkhockey.com/resources) [Articles](https://4checkhockey.com/articles) [Members](https://4checkhockey.com/members) [Contact](https://4checkhockey.com/contact) [Programs](https://4checkhockey.com/pricing) [About](https://4checkhockey.com/about) [Resources](https://4checkhockey.com/resources) [Articles](https://4checkhockey.com/articles) [Members](https://4checkhockey.com/members) [Contact](https://4checkhockey.com/contact) 4Check Hockey # Articles Weekly tips and insight on player development, confidence, team culture, and safe contact, for players, coaches, and parents. [![Is Body Checking Making a Comeback in Youth Hockey?](https://4checkhockey.com/hubfs/boys%20battling%20on%20the%20ice.jpg)](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/is-body-checking-making-a-comeback-in-youth-hockey) 4Check Hockey ## [Is Body Checking Making a Comeback in Youth Hockey?](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/is-body-checking-making-a-comeback-in-youth-hockey) For years, body checking has been one of the most debated topics in youth hockey. Some believe reducing or delaying ... Jon Francisco · August 12, 2026 [![Why Goaltending Is the Backbone of Stanley Cup Playoff Success](https://4checkhockey.com/hubfs/Aves%20goalie.jpeg)](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/why-goaltending-is-the-backbone-of-stanley-cup-playoff-success) 4Check Hockey ## [Why Goaltending Is the Backbone of Stanley Cup Playoff Success](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/why-goaltending-is-the-backbone-of-stanley-cup-playoff-success) Why Goaltending Becomes the Center of Everything Goaltending is always important in hockey, but once the Stanley Cup ... Jon Francisco · May 04, 2026 [![How Home Ice Advantage Shapes Stanley Cup Playoff Outcomes](https://4checkhockey.com/hubfs/Sabres%20celly.jpg)](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/how-home-ice-advantage-shapes-stanley-cup-playoff-outcomes) 4Check Hockey ## [How Home Ice Advantage Shapes Stanley Cup Playoff Outcomes](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/how-home-ice-advantage-shapes-stanley-cup-playoff-outcomes) Why Home Ice Matters More in the Playoffs Home ice advantage takes on a completely different meaning once the Stanley ... Jon Francisco · April 27, 2026 [![Why This Is the Best Time of Year for a Hockey Fan](https://4checkhockey.com/hubfs/Stanley%20Cup.jpg)](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/why-this-is-the-best-time-of-year-for-a-hockey-fan) Hockey Skills ## [Why This Is the Best Time of Year for a Hockey Fan](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/why-this-is-the-best-time-of-year-for-a-hockey-fan) There is no better time of year to be a hockey fan than right now, because the Stanley Cup Playoffs have begun. The ... Jon Francisco · April 21, 2026 [![Why Teaching Angling Matters](https://4checkhockey.com/hubfs/McKinnon%20McDavid.jpg)](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/why-teaching-angling-matters) 4Check Hockey ## [Why Teaching Angling Matters](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/why-teaching-angling-matters) For years, physical play in hockey has been taught backwards. Players are told to finish checks, separate the man from ... Jon Francisco · March 30, 2026 [![Utilizing 4Check Hockey Dummies for More Than Just Checking](https://4checkhockey.com/hubfs/1.%20AJ%20shooting%20through%20dummies.jpg)](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/utilizing-4check-hockey-dummies-for-more-than-just-checking) 4Check Hockey ## [Utilizing 4Check Hockey Dummies for More Than Just Checking](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/utilizing-4check-hockey-dummies-for-more-than-just-checking) At 4Check Hockey, we pride ourselves on providing innovative training tools that enhance player development. Our ... Jon Francisco · May 14, 2025 [![Angling: Your Secret Weapon](https://4checkhockey.com/hubfs/Angling.jpg)](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/angling-your-secret-weapon) 4Check Hockey ## [Angling: Your Secret Weapon](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/angling-your-secret-weapon) Ice hockey is a physical sport where players must combine skill, strategy, and physicality to succeed. One of the most ... Jon Francisco · March 05, 2025 [![Let Your Child Fail: It's OK](https://4checkhockey.com/hubfs/player%20falling_blog%20image.jpg)](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/let-your-child-fail-its-ok) 4Check Hockey ## [Let Your Child Fail: It's OK](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/let-your-child-fail-its-ok) When you first encouraged your child to play sports, it was likely for the life lessons they would learn—lessons that ... Jon Francisco · February 26, 2025 [![Has Hockey Gotten ](https://4checkhockey.com/hubfs/hockey%20soft%20image.jpg)](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/has-hockey-gotten-soft) 4Check Hockey ## [Has Hockey Gotten "Soft"?](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/has-hockey-gotten-soft) Hockey, a sport known for its intense physicality and fast-paced action, has undergone significant changes over the ... Jon Francisco · January 29, 2025 [![Will hockey ever get away from contact and checking?](https://4checkhockey.com/hubfs/PWHL%20Checking%20image.jpeg)](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/will-hockey-ever-get-away-from-contact-and-checking) 4Check Hockey ## [Will hockey ever get away from contact and checking?](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/will-hockey-ever-get-away-from-contact-and-checking) Ice hockey is known for its physicality, and checking is a fundamental part of the game in both men's and women's ... Jon Francisco · January 22, 2025 [![Overcoming the Fear of Body Contact in Youth Hockey](https://4checkhockey.com/hubfs/Big%20player_Little%20player.jpg)](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/overcoming-the-fear-of-body-contact-in-youth-hockey) 4Check Hockey ## [Overcoming the Fear of Body Contact in Youth Hockey](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/overcoming-the-fear-of-body-contact-in-youth-hockey) Body contact is an integral part of hockey, and for many young players, it can be a source of anxiety. However, with ... Jon Francisco · January 16, 2025 [![The Crucial Role of Parents in Managing Youth Hockey Concussions](https://4checkhockey.com/hubfs/2.%20brain.jpg)](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/the-crucial-role-of-parents-in-preventing-youth-hockey-concussions) 4Check Hockey ## [The Crucial Role of Parents in Managing Youth Hockey Concussions](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/the-crucial-role-of-parents-in-preventing-youth-hockey-concussions) Youth hockey is an exhilarating sport that teaches teamwork, discipline, and perseverance. However, it also comes with ... Jon Francisco · January 16, 2025 [![Understanding Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) in Ice Hockey](https://4checkhockey.com/hubfs/1.%20brain.jpg)](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/understanding-traumatic-brain-injuries-tbi-in-ice-hockey) 4Check Hockey ## [Understanding Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) in Ice Hockey](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/understanding-traumatic-brain-injuries-tbi-in-ice-hockey) Ice hockey is a thrilling and intense sport, but it also carries a significant risk of injury, particularly traumatic ... Jon Francisco · January 08, 2025 [![Winning Puck Battles: The Key to Hockey Success](https://4checkhockey.com/hubfs/puck%20battle%20image.png)](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/winning-puck-battles-the-key-to-hockey-success) 4Check Hockey ## [Winning Puck Battles: The Key to Hockey Success](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/winning-puck-battles-the-key-to-hockey-success) The Importance of Winning Puck Battles in Hockey In the fast-paced world of hockey, winning puck battles is a crucial ... Jon Francisco · December 18, 2024 ![4Check Hockey](https://4checkhockey.com/hubfs/4Check%20Logo%202025_white.png) Training coaches, players, and organizations in safe, effective checking and concussion prevention. 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