On-Ice

Circle Puck Protection

SKILLS

SKATING

BODY CONTACT

STICK HANDLING

PURPOSE

This small area drill requires players to work on skating and defensive concepts while either protecting the puck or trying to beat a defender to gain possession.

HOW TO

Inside a circle (or other designated area) place one puck and two players.
One player is designated as a defender and the other is offense.
The defensive player must shield and protect the puck by using their body, stick, and skate positioning.
The offensive player is trying to beat the defender and gain possession of the puck.
Rotate players after a short interval, or if split off into pairs, the pair flips offense and defense at possession change.

FOCUS

Body position! Players must attack the puck at an appropriate opening with appropriate body contact and positioning.
Compete. Players must WANT to succeed and gain possession or keep possession.

VARIATIONS

Add extra players
Change it from the player in the middle defending a stationary puck to them having to gain possession, more like traditional keep away.

Power Transitions

SKILLS

SKATING

SHOOTING

PURPOSE

Technical skating working on getting deep into edges to generate and/or maintain speed through transition.

HOW TO

Need 12 cones, one rebounder, and one line of players
Player skates through cones in either a vertical (north-south) figure 8 or horizonal (east-west) figure 8, transitioning as necessary to stay facing in the direction as requested by the coach.
Then they skate through the standard weave cones.
At the top of the standard weave, the player will receive a pass from a coach, drive into the lane and pass off the rebounder.
they will gather the puck off the rebounder, drag and shoot.

FOCUS

This is highly technical skating and the focus should be getting low and driving through their edges to generate power.
- “listen for the crunch”
- transitions or turns should be as tight to the cone as possible. Players not getting low enough or into their edges enough will take wider turns.
On the shooting side, getting the players to drag and shoot instead of turning and shooting is key. In this we are working on adjusting the shooting angle enough to pull the goalie over.

VARIATIONS

Change the direction of skating – start forwards, start backwards, always forwards, always backwards.
Have players carry a puck through the skating and making the pass to and receiving back at the top before the rebounder.
Change the position/location of the rebounder.
Add a defender.

Mirror 2 cone 1v1

SKILLS

SKATING

BREAKOUTS

HOCKEY SENSE

PURPOSE

This hybrid drill works on the concept of mirroring and containing a player, moves to a simple board breakout, and finishes with a 1v1.

HOW TO

2 lines at the blue with 6 cones – 4 close together sort of staggered inside the zone and 2 at the opposite blue line.
Player 1 functions like a D and player 2 is the forward – it is important to have players work from both lines.
Both players go at the same time WITHOUT a puck. Player 1 skates backwards to the low cone while player 2 skates forwards to the high cone. Players transition and go to the second set of cones – player 1 now forwards and player 2 now backwards.
Players transition around the second set of cones.
Player 1 will then transition to forwards (release) around the bottom of the circle, go behind the net and pick up a puck.
Player 2 will transition to forwards and loop low and get to the hash marks.
Player 1 makes a break out pass to player 2.
Players 2 and 2 skate up ice – 1 transitioning around the bottom cone and 2 power turning around the top cone – and turn the drill into a 1v1.

FOCUS

Skating transitions with speed and power – get into their edges on entrance and exit of all transitions
Timing and mirroring – making sure they are keeping up with the player opposite of them.
Good breakout passes! It’s one simple, straightforward, no pressure pass. This should not be missed!

VARIATIONS

Adjust the cone spacing or location so that the transition space is tighter or looser depending on the skill level of players or the concepts you’re trying to build.
Make players carry a puck or pass a puck on each transition
Turn the drill into full ice by having 2 go the length of the ice and play 1v1 against the opposite D.

Rush Shot – D Activation

SKILLS

PASSING

SHOOTING

HOCKEY SENSE

PURPOSE

The two variations of this drill work on similar concepts of rushing the point to either block or force them to make a decision.

HOW TO

Line of players in corner and at point.
1 passes to point at 2.
1 rushes the point attempting to intercept the board pass.
2 passes back down to the next player in line (3) and drives to the net
3 passes to the driving D for a shot.

FOCUS

Good, smart, passing. The passes to the point need to be on target and player at the point needs to be ready to receive and move the pass once it gets to them.
Attack! Player from the corner needs to not hesitate and needs to get to the point without fear.

VARIATIONS

You can let your D decide if they want to drag and shoot or if they want to pass back down the wall and activate to the slot depending on their pressure. This helps to build hockey sense for both forwards (understanding how they pressure matters) and defense (being able to read pressure).

Gilmour Pass-Pull-Shoot

SKILLS

SHOOTING

PASSING

PUCK PROTECTION

PURPOSE

Working on getting open for a shot, handling a pass in motion, and
changing shooting angle.

HOW TO

Two lines of players – one on each side of the net. A border patrol or cones as a barrier set up in the slot and one player behind
the barrier.
On go, player up top (3) starts to one side and just past the barrier, they will receive a pass. They will then open toward the
barrier, drag across (behind) the barrier and shoot just past the other side. They are NOT driving to the net – drag and shoot.
Once they shoot, they will open up, get a pass from the other side, drag across again and shoot from the first side they started
on.
Repeat for 4 total shots, then rotate.

FOCUS

Receiving passes in a shooting and/or puck protection position
Escape transitions and edge control
Quick shooting from an adjusted shooting angle

VARIATIONS

Add a defender – shooter should use escape moves and shielding and avoid “running away” from defense, ie creating too much space and separation. This should be a close, quick drill.

4 Spot Passing

SKILLS

PASSING

SKATING

PURPOSE

This drill works on quick, accurate passing in a tight space and escapability with puck possession.

HOW TO – NO SHOT

2 lines of players and 4 cones, 1 puck
Player 1 starts to skate forward and passes through the box to player 2
Player 1 transitions around one cone (left, for demonstration purposes) and receives the puck back.
The transition back to the inside and pass to 2 again then repeat the transition to the right.
After the second cone they will pivot to face the line they came from and pass to the next player in line 1.
They will skate through the cones and transition around the now right cone and receive a pass back.
Then transition around the left cone, pivot and turn to face line 2.
They will pass to line 2 who starts the drill from their side.
Once a player completes their 9 pass sequence, the get to the back of the line opposite of where they started.

HOW TO – WITH SHOT

2 lines of players and 4 cones, pucks with line 1
Player 1 starts to skate forward and passes through the box to player 2
Player 1 transitions around one cone (right, for demonstration purposes) and receives the puck back.
The transition back to the inside and pass to 2 again then repeat the transition to the left.
After the second cone they will pivot to face the line they came from and pass to the next player in line 1.
They will skate through the cones and transition around the now left cone and receive a pass back.
Then transition around the right cone, pivot and turn to face line 2.
Player 1 will pass to player 2 one more time, skate through the box toward the net and receive a pass back from player 2 for a quick shot.
Once player 1 finishes the 10 pass sequence and shot, they get to the back of line 2.

FOCUS

Passing – giving and receiving to a good target with good technique
Technical skating to put yourself in a position to possess the puck

VARIATIONS

Add a light defense pressure at the middle of the box to force quicker transitions and puck protection
Add a second set of lines going the opposite direction on the box then the last pass goes to the line to the right (or left) of the line you started from instead of across.
On shooting version, turn it into a 2v0.

This half ice warm up drill is great for getting the legs moving, getting shots on net, and basic board breakout passing. For goalies it works on short and mid to long range shots in a continuous manner.

HOW TO

Lines in each corner with pucks.
First player in line 1 skates around circle with puck and takes a shot on net.
They release to the bottom of the other circle, open up and get a breakout pass from the first player in line 2.
Player 1 will carry out to the neutral zone, around both face off dots, and then in for a mid to long range shot.
Immediately after player 2 makes the pass, they follow player 1 out and repeat the pattern from the other side. Ideally, player 2’s shot will come before player 1’s mid range shot.
Drill continues in a constant flow
1 goes to 2, 2 to 3, 3 to 4, 4 to 1. If you don’t rotate properly the drill will break because there won’t be enough people in each line.

**This is not a hard drill, but it does require timing and patience to not shoot at the same time and to develop a continuous flow and pattern.

FOCUS

Shooting in motion
Short passing tape to tape
Breakout concepts
Timing/hockey sense

VARIATIONS

Add extra passes: As the player comes out the corner they can pass down and receive the puck back before going around the circle to shoot. On the other side they could receive the pass, give it back and then receive another quick one to head up ice.
Add defenders

Central Regroup – Full Ice

SKILLS

SKATING

PASSING

REGROUPING

HOCKEY SENSE

PURPOSE

Works on concepts of regrouping and zone entry in motion.

HOW TO

4 lines of forwards – one in each corner, two with pucks- 4 D at center ice (can use only two D if numbers are low)
1 takes a couple of steps forward and slightly in then passes to 2 breaking on a stretch pass.
1 & 2 skate down the ice, 2 with the puck.
2 passes to 3. 1 & 2 loop low while 3 swing the puck to 4 who outlets back up to player 2 on the loop.
1 & 2 head back up ice. 2 passes to the D in the neutral zone.
1 & 2 regroup while the D swings to the other D. D with the puck chooses the best outlet pass.
1 & 2 go into the zone 2v2 against the other D.
Drill repeats the other direction.

FOCUS

Transition with speed: Work on getting the puck tape to tape and up ice quickly to transition from defense to offense
Setting up for optimal passing angles without losing speed

VARIATIONS

Add a second regroup. So instead of going 2v2 against the D pair that is opposite of where they started, they will go against the pair that is closest to where they started.
Add in a third forward
Add in a post up instead of a flow regroup (best with 3 forwards)
Have D follow play and coach plays a puck up to the following D after the initial shot/play has completed by the forwards.

Central Regroup – Half Ice

SKILLS

SKATING

PASSING

REGROUPING

HOCKEY SENSE

PURPOSE

This half ice version works the same concepts of regrouping and zone entry as the full ice version, while creating a more high-pressure environment by shrinking the space available.

HOW TO

There will be two lines of players – one on each board at blue lines (A), two players low – one in each corner (B), two players high like your neutral zone D (C).
On the whistle, a player from line A will carry the puck a few strides then pass down to the player across from them (B). The other A player will skate down their board at the same time.
Player B who receives the pass will swing the puck behind the net to the other B player, while players A swing and cross in front of the net.
The second player B will pass to one of the swinging players A.
Once players A head out of the zone, players B will step into the zone and prepare to take the rush.
Players A will carry out of the zone and pass to players C, then swing and cross on the re-group.
Players C will pass “D to D” then pass in to one of the players A.
Players A will then go into the zone and play 2v2 against players B.
Players A go to corners, players B go to points, players C get in line at A spots.

FOCUS

Passing and receiving passes in motion are key to this drill. You have to be able to locate your target and deliver a lead pass in a timely and accurate manner.
Timing! Timing! Timing! Players need to be able to adjust their speed and/or path so that they are timing passes so they are a good option for the passer and they are carrying through the drill with speed and motion. We do not want to see players stop at the blue line or anywhere else.
Being an option. Players should try to open up whenever possible and not get caught in straight lines or “skating away” from the play.

NOTES

This is not a hard drill but does require patience and attention to detail. Players need to be ready to move and get back into position in a quick manner.

Continuous 2-1 Forecheck

SKILLS

PASSING

PUCK POSSESSION

FORECHECKING

HOCKEY SENSE

PURPOSE

This continuous drill focuses on the concept of 2-1-2 forechecking with one hard attack, one hard support, and one high. The flow of the drill makes it feel more game like, advancing the hockey sense skills to create sound pressure to possession.

HOW TO

Set up 4 lines in the offensive zone with coach in the middle.
Two D and 3 F will go into the zone with a puck dump – 2 F attack (A-S) one F high, one D attack, one slot.
Forwards will try to gain possession and attempt to get a shot on net, D will try to work the puck out of the zone, but not just fire it blindly.
Once a shot is taken, or when Coach decides, a puck is dumped into the other side and the drill continues with 3F and 2D from the other lines.

FOCUS

Attack-Support-High. Players that do not utilize these three effectively will struggle to consistently get possession and transition into offensive drive.
Recognize when to attack, when to support, and when we already have possession to become an option.

VARIATIONS

Instead of 4 lines, only have two lines of forwards, and the D from the first group also plays the second group. Then switch D after second group.
Instead of 4 lines, only 2. First group plays second puck in opposite corner.