Passing

M2 Regroup 1v1

SKILLS

HOCKEY SENSE

PASSING

SKATING

SHOOTING

PURPOSE

Generating and managing gap on regroups and regrouping with motion and speed.

HOW TO

Drill can be run simultaneously, one side, or alternating sides
Start with a D on one side of the center circle with puck, forward between the red & blue on the same vertical side of the D but opposite lateral side.
D uses C-cuts and backward crossovers to pull puck backwards around the circle and toward the blue.
Once toward the far edge of the circle, the pass to the forward in a post-up ready position (forward: BE READY to move!).
Forward gets takes a few strides as they release a quick pass back to the D.
D reads the forwards path, makes the regroup outlet
Forward heads up ice, while D now retreats and plays opposite forward back into the zone 1v1.

FOCUS

Skating – driving hard off the toes to get around the circle quickly and efficiently
Gap management – retreating with control and intent
Passing – tape to tape, giving and locating a target

VARIATIONS

Add another pass from the corner to the D as a trailer creating a point shot instead of a true 2v0
Add another forward and D
See also M2 Regroup 2v0, Andover 1v1, and Andover 2v1

M2 Regroup 2v0

SKILLS

HOCKEY SENSE

PASSING

SKATING

SHOOTING

PURPOSE

Generating and managing gap on regroups and regrouping with motion and speed.

HOW TO

Drill can be run simultaneously, one side, or alternating sides
Start with a D on one side of the center circle with puck, forward between the red & blue on the same vertical side of the D but opposite lateral side.
D uses C-cuts and backward crossovers to pull puck backwards around the circle and toward the blue.
Once toward the far edge of the circle, the pass to the forward in a post-up ready position (forward: BE READY to move!).
Forward gets takes a few strides as they release a quick pass back to the D.
D reads the forwards path, makes the regroup outlet
Both head up ice in a 2v0

FOCUS

Skating – driving hard off the toes to get around the circle quickly and efficiently
Gap management – retreating with control and intent
Passing – tape to tape, giving and locating a target

VARIATIONS

Add another pass from the corner to the D as a trailer creating a point shot instead of a true 2v0
Add another forward and D
See also M2 Regroup 1v1, Andover 1v1, and Andover 2v1

Dartmouth D Breakout Drill

SKILLS

HOCKEY SENSE

PASSING

SKATING

PURPOSE

Retrieving pucks and moving quickly and efficiently into breakouts while using the net as protection.

HOW TO

One D1 starts at bottom of circle, D2 on hash marks (as winger), coach at top of circle with pucks
D1 attacks to face off dot, as they transition, coach puts puck in corner (not rimmed)
D transitions, checking shoulders, and gathers puck
D1 moves quickly behind the net and at far post, looks to make the breakout pass to D2
D1 and D2 move out of the zone

FOCUS

Passing tape to tape
Checking for pressure

VARIATIONS

Utilize different breakout techniques – near board, far board, stop-go reverse, etc.
Add a forechecker
Hybrid this with 2 cone 1v1 breakout drill

Boston Defense Gap Up

SKILLS

D GAP

HOCKEY SENSE

SKATING

PURPOSE

Controlling defensive gaps through neutral zone and using your D partner as an outlet option.

HOW TO

Two D start at blue line and attack to center red
On transition, coach puts puck into mid-defensive zone, one side or the other
Strongside D retreats and collects the puck while the other D also retreats backwards, open, and ready for swing pass
D head up ice 2v0 with speed and possession

FOCUS

Forechecking with purpose
Hockey sense to know when to attack and when to utilize their options
Passing and shooting with pressure

VARIATIONS

Activate second forward: Once 1 passes back to the next player in their line, that activates them into a 2v1. So the play is either 1v1 or 2v1.
Instead of starting in a corner, start in “close combat” behind the net

Possession. Possession. Possession. This drill simulates a 1v1 forecheck battle with each “winner” creating a game-like attack option. Option one creates a wall or high-support give & go to create a passing lane and scoring opportunity while the second option reinforces quick turnover reactions to scoring opportunities. Both revolve around gaining possession of the puck and making something happen with it.

HOW TO

Two lines near the top of the circle – 1 towards the boards and 2 on the inside. Coach with pucks between them.
Coach puts puck into the corner and first player from each line attacks the puck in a forecheck situation
If 1 gets possession they must pass back to the next player in their line and receive the puck back before attacking the net.
If 2 gets possession, they attack the net immediately

FOCUS

Forechecking with purpose
Hockey sense to know when to attack and when to utilize their options
Passing and shooting with pressure

VARIATIONS

Activate second forward: Once 1 passes back to the next player in their line, that activates them into a 2v1. So the play is either 1v1 or 2v1.
Instead of starting in a corner, start in “close combat” behind the net

3 Pass Drill – Stretch

SKILLS

PASSING

SHOOTING

COMMUNICATION

PURPOSE

This simple drill, often used for warm-ups, is great for working on simple one-touch passing in motion and sets up concepts of regrouping.

HOW TO

Split into four lines at each blue.
1 & 3 go at the same time (2 & 4 together as well). For explanation purposes, I’ll only explain the route of #1 as it is mirrored in the other groups.
1 skates forward with the puck (SHORT SIDES FIRST!) and passes to line 4 and gets the puck back.
1 continues in a wide arch and passes to 3 on the swing and gets the puck back.
1 then passes to 2. 2 will hold the puck as 1 makes a big loop and heads back up ice.
2 makes the stretch pass to 1, who drives to the net for the shot.
If this is a warm-up or early drill, have them shoot from farther out.

FOCUS

Short and long passing in motion on both forehand and backhand
Communication to call for the puck
Heads up play for the stretch pass and staying on-side

VARIATIONS

Have the board side pass be a bump/chip pass
Add a trailer or back checker
See also 3 Pass Drill

Detroit Drive 2v1

SKILLS

PASSING

GAP CONTROL

ZONE ENTRY

HOCKEY SENSE

SHOOTING

PURPOSE

Working on gaining the offensive zone with speed and possession, utilizing a center drive, and east-west space activation. Defensively, we’re working on gap control and adjusting to rush speed.

HOW TO

NOTE: Drill is illustrated out of one end for simplicity, but drill can be run out of both ends at the same time.
Split forward players into four lines at the low hash marks of each zone, two with pucks. Defense are split into two lines – one at each blue across from line 1.
Player 1 skates across the zone (about half way) and passes to player 2. Player 2 should take a few strides forward to start momentum.
Player 2 curls inside and up edge of the center lane while player 1 continues up the far lane.
As this happens, the Defender skates forward to the red (or there abouts), attacking the play and closing the gap.
As players enter the neutral zone, player 2 will headman the puck back to player 1. Defender will transition to backwards and play the 2v1 into the zone.
FORWARDS NOW HAVE OPTIONS:
- A: If the defender give the wide lane, Player 1 with the puck will continue to drive wide, beating the defender with speed, then look to work the puck to 2 in the slot.
- B: If the defender gives the inside lane with tight gap, Player 1 will play an area bump/chip pass into the zone. Player 2 will retrieve in the far lane and player 1 will go to the center lane and drive net.
- C: If the defender gives the inside lane with loose gap, Player 1 can play the puck to the inside lane and drive net from the outside lane.

FOCUS

Headman passing with speed
Area passing with intent and for possession
Creating time and space in a limited area
Hockey sense: understanding when to use what lane based on gap pressure
Defense gap control – when to attack, when to manage

VARIATIONS

See also Detroit Drive 2v0

Detroit Drive 2v0

SKILLS

PASSING

ZONE ENTRY

HOCKEY SENSE

SHOOTING

PURPOSE

Working on gaining the offensive zone with speed and possession, utilizing a center drive, and east-west space activation.

HOW TO

NOTE: Drill is illustrated out of one end for simplicity, but drill can be run out of both ends at the same time.
Add a barrier in the neutral zone just outside the blue line. Alternatively, this can be a grouping of cones, coach, or other “defender” object
Split players into two four lines at the low hash marks of each zone, two with pucks.
Player 1 skates across the zone (about half way) and passes to player 2. Player 2 should take a few strides forward to start momentum.
Player 2 curls inside and up edge of the center lane while player 1 continues up the far lane.
As players enter the neutral zone, player 2 will headman the puck back to player 1.
Player 1 will make an area bump (chip) pass off the boards around the bumper/defender.
Player 2 will drive the inside of the bumper and pick up the area pass while player 1 will drive outside (board side) of the bumper, curl to the inside lane, and drive to the net.
Player 2 looks to either shoot or pass to player 1 in the slot for the shot.

FOCUS

Headman passing with speed
Area passing with intent and for possession
Creating time and space in a limited area

VARIATIONS

Instead of a border patrol, have a coach put pressure on player 1, angling and limiting space.
See also Detroit 2v1

VT Retrieve

SKILLS

PUCK RETRIEVAL

PASSING

HOCKEY SENSE

SHOOTING

PURPOSE

Retrieving pucks from an area, activating a D or wing, and net drives to scoring opportunities. This drill sets up nicely for working on forechecking and power play possession from both an overload and rotating into an umbrella.

HOW TO

Set up a barrier down low in a circle and a line of players near the blue with pucks.
First player in line will retrieve, next player will be like a D. If you want, you can work this position specific.
Player 2 will drag the line then dump a puck into the corner. Player 1 will retrieve turning up the boards and pass back to player 2.
Player 2 will repeat, dragging the puck along the blue and dumping to the corner and player 1 repeats retrieving.
On the second retrieve, player 1 will drive net and player 2 will drag a 3rd time, but this time pass to player 1 breaking to the net.
After player 1 shoots, a coach will pass from the corner to player 2, who shoots for a screen-tip-rebound situation with player 1 in front.

FOCUS

Retrieving pucks from a small space in a protective situation
Passing & shooting
Making yourself available for passes and shots

VARIATIONS

Progressively add multiple players on the retrieval. So, first is 1 forward retrieves. Second is two forwards.
Add a cycle to the above variation
Add defenders
Have forward player pick up puck from opposite corner themselves instead of a coach making the corner pass.

Area Pass 1v1

SKILLS

PASSING

SHOOTING

HOCKEY SENSE

PURPOSE

This simple 1v1 drill works on making area passes and developing the hockey sense that goes along with making an accurate first read.

HOW TO

Split into two lines, with the one closest to the zone having the pucks. Set up a border patrol vertically about 3 feet from the boards.
Player 1 (with puck) takes a couple of strides and passes to the line across from them (2). They step out into an arch and do a quick stop/start, making eye contact with player 2.
Player 2 will play an area pass off the boards around the border patrol.
Player 1 retrieves the area pass and heads wide and then to the net.
Player 2 releases and becomes a chasing defender.
Players then switch lines.

FOCUS

Focus on making an area pass with intent, meaning the second player must recognize/acknowledge player 1 before just sending it. This helps to break the panic dumping.

VARIATIONS

Have the players 1 & 2 switch, so the pass comes from outside the zone, making it more of a traditional 1v1 instead of a chase/back check.