SKILLS
PURPOSE
This drill serves two primary purposes: skating conditioning and back checking with intent. Puck play/shooting is a side effect.
HOW TO
- Players line up in all four corners. Two corners with pucks.
- To start, 1 and 2 take off on a 2v0 to the opposite end, passing the puck back and forth. Ideally, they should make 3 passes before getting to the opposite end.
- Once a shot is taken, 3 & 4 start the other way. 1 & 2 tag the goal line and then back check 3 & 4.
- Once 3 & 4 get a shot off, the pattern starts again from this end with 3 & 4 back checking.
FOCUS
- Actively looking to pick up a player not just skate to the other end on the backcheck.
- Identifying passing lanes and creating/removing lanes as the drill progresses – not just who has the puck goes.
- Using good gap control to force the play wide or at a lower percentage angle.
VARIATIONS
- Instead of tagging the goal line, let players just turn tail and defend
- Add a third forward to the mix – start pass in the middle
