3 Cone Passing

PURPOSE

Short quick passing in motion and technical skating – 2 birds, one hockey drill. This drill can be anywhere on the ice or zone, but works easiest from a face off circle as it gives the kids a reference. This can also be helpful for teaching cycling and wall side drive concepts from a technical aspect.

HOW TO

• Set up three cones in a triangle with players below the goal line in line with the center of the drill.
• First player in line starts toward high cone with a puck. The power turn with the puck and pass back to the next player in line.
• The skate toward low inside cone, open up (transition to open) and receive the puck back.
• Transition back to forward and skate back around high cone then pass back low.
• Skate to bottom outside cone, open up, receive puck back.
• After receiving the puck back, the transition to forward, skate around the outside of the circle and go to the net for a shot.

FOCUS

• Tight, quick turns. Skaters who do not get good knee bend or have less edge control will tend to take a wide turn which changes the passing angle and will make accurate passing more difficult.
• Opening up for passes – make sure players are getting themselves into an open position, giving a target, and that the passing player is seeing and delivering to that target. Players who are less skilled at transitions will either come to a stop or take extra steps to transition in the direction that is more comfortable. This should be one fluid motion.
• PASSING, PASSING, PASSING! This is a no pressure passing drill. There should be very few, if any at all, passes that are not tape to tape or missed completely. Give a target, find the target, deliver to the target.

VARIATIONS

• After the last pass, the low person becomes a defender for a 1v1. At the completion of the 1v1, they go back to the start of the line and start the next drill.
• Separate D from Forwards and only the D is the low passer.
• Change the position/location of the triangle or the distance between the cones.
• Add obstacles in the shooter has to navigate (also good for screens for the goalie)
• Add a passer so they have to adjust their shooting angle on the shot