SKILLS
PURPOSE
This simple passing drill works on the mechanics of passing and moving to an open space. The second version sets up concepts related to reading a play and forcing a player to go to a certain space – hockey sense elements critical to forechecking and space containment.
HOW TO – PROGRESSION 1
- Players in 4 lines – one on each axis of a circle, one puck in play.
- Starting with player 1, they will pass to one way (to the right #2 in this example) and skate to the line the other direction (#4).
- The passing will continue in this pattern, so now player 2 will pass to their right (#3) and skate to #1.
- One player moves at time, but all need to be ready to move.
HOW TO – PROGRESSION 2
- Set up like version 1.
- This time, player 1 will pass one way (to the right to #2 in the example) and skate across (#3).
- The passing will continue in this patter, so now player 2 will pass to their right (#3) and skate across (4).
HOW TO – PROGRESSION 3
- Set up like version 1.
- This time, the player opposite the puck carrier will pressure to decision. For example, player 3 will pressure to the left (80/20) forcing the passing player (#1) to make a decision on where to pass to (to the right). In this example, Player #3 is forcing them to pass to player #2 (right). The pressuring player (#3) should also put their stick in the lane they are pressuring to and the passing player (#1) should pass the opposite way.
- #1 will still go to the line the other way from their pass (#4). The pressuring player (#3) will get in the line they were pressuring (#1).
- Pattern will continue with Player #4 pressuring Player #2, etc.
- To start, have players only pass and pressure to one side to get the concept. As the drill advances, players can then choose the side they want to pressure and the passing player (along with potential receivers) have to be heads up about their options.
HOW TO – PROGRESSION 3
- Set up like version 1.
- Run the drill like progression 3, but this time the pressure person (#3 for the above example) can choose which direction they want to pressure. This forces the puck carrier (#1) to read the pressure, decide where to pass and where to move. It also forces the other players to be ready for anything and recognize if they are now the puck carrier or the pressure person.
FOCUS
- In both drills, crisp, tape-to-tape passes is a must. There is very little pressure so there shouldn’t be sailed passes
- Skate through the drill! Players will want to make their pass then lazily get to the next line. Reinforce that they have to get to where they’re going just like a game.
- For both drills, but more critically in V2, players need to know where they are going and what their role is. If they are pressuring, they need to know where to go afterwards. If they are passing, they need to read the pressure and know where to pass and where to skate without prompt.
VARIATIONS
- Require certain pass types – only forehand, backhand, saucer passes, etc.
- Add two pucks
