Circle Regroup
SKILLS
PURPOSE
While this drill is called a regroup, it doesn’t actually have much to do with true regrouping. This technical skating and passing drill is not only good for hard skills (passing, skating) but also to work on escapes, puck control in motion to find an outlet and setting up wall support concepts often used in PP situations.
HOW TO – NO SHOT
- Set up two lines at the top and bottom of a circle. One player with a puck.
- The player with the puck will take 1-2 strides toward the player across from them get in motion and pass to that player.
- They will then hip out to the edge of the circle and receive the puck back.
- They will take a few strides toward their original line and pass to the next player in line.
- Again they will hip out and receive the puck back.
- Skating toward the other line, they will pass to that player who will then start the drill over from their line. First player will get in the back of this line.
HOW TO – NO SHOT
- Set up one line at the bottom of a circle and one player at the top (the video does this opposite but the drill functions the same). The bottom line of players has pucks.
- The player with the puck will take 1-2 strides toward the player across from them get in motion and pass to that player.
- They will then hip out to the edge of the circle and receive the puck back.
- they will take a few strides toward their original line and pass to the next player in line.
- Again they will hip out and receive the puck back.
- Skating toward the other line, they will pass to that player and skate around to the slot.
- At the same time as the player is proceeding to the slot, the top player will pass down to the original line, who then feeds the slot for a shot.
- The player who shot takes the spot of the player at the top. Player at the top gets in line at the bottom.
FOCUS
- Passing in motion and clean passes! Players with weaker skating may want to not move from the had marks, but that defeats the technical purpose.
VARIATIONS
- While not a technical variation, this can be run with two goalies at the same time on half ice. Just place the nets a little closer to each circle.
