stickhandler
Skilled puck controller
A stickhandler is someone skilled at maneuvering a puck or ball with a stick, especially in hockey or lacrosse.
The term emphasizes deft control—faking, deking, and keeping possession under pressure: He's one of the best stickhandlers in the league.
By extension, a stickhandler may be someone who navigates tricky situations with similar finesse.
Feinting past an opponent
- puckhandlingControlling disc on ice
- danglesHangs swinging freely
- stickworkSkill with a stick
- feintsMock offensive movements
forehand · backhand · jukes · tucking · shifting · receiving · dribbling · fakes
Middle of anything
- wingerSide-positioned team member
- forwardOnward in direction
- defensemanHockey position guarding goal
- sniperConcealed precision shooter
Skillful hand coordination
- finesseSubtle, deft handling
- agilityQuickness and ease
- precisionAccuracy of measurement
- hand-eyeVision-movement synchronization
coordination · timing · fluidity · nimbleness · control · touch · reflexes · balance
Holding tenderly, protectively
- dodgingAvoiding by moving aside
- midfielderCentral pitch position
- face-offDirect clash between opponents
- pocketFabric compartment in clothing
Ability to see
- passingMoving by or temporary
- assistsHelps or supports
- creativityCapacity for original thought
- setupHow something is arranged
distribution · awareness · anticipation · reading · patience · decision-making · tempo · spacing
deking
Feinting past an opponent
- puckhandlingControlling disc on ice
- danglesHangs swinging freely
- stickworkSkill with a stick
feints · forehand · backhand · jukes · tucking · shifting · receiving · dribbling · fakes · cradling
center
Middle of anything
- wingerSide-positioned team member
- forwardOnward in direction
- defensemanHockey position guarding goal
sniper · grinder · two-way · scorer · dangler · rushers · playmaker
dexterity
Skillful hand coordination
hand-eye · coordination · timing · fluidity · nimbleness · control · touch · reflexes · balance · technique
cradling
Holding tenderly, protectively
- dodgingAvoiding by moving aside
- midfielderCentral pitch position
- face-offDirect clash between opponents
vision
Ability to see
- passingMoving by or temporary
- assistsHelps or supports
- creativityCapacity for original thought
setup · distribution · awareness · anticipation · reading · patience · decision-making · tempo · spacing · outlets
stickhandlergoaltender
Player defending the net
goalie · netminder · goalkeeper · enforcer · goon
stickhandlerhitter
One who bats
fighter · shot blocker · defensive specialist · plodder · bruiser
stickhandling, stickhandle, stickhandles, stickhandled, stickhandlers