Skating

Circle Regroup – Expanded

SKILLS

PASSING

SKATING

SYSTEMS/HOCKEY SENSE

SHOOTING

PURPOSE

This drill expands in two ways on the original, small-area Circle Regroup drill. It helps to emphasize puck possession, wall support, and creating passing lanes through motion and deception. Ideal for overload power play situations, it is also useful for regular zone control, defensive coverage concepts (full strength and kill) and can be modified for an umbrella as well by rotating to manage the blue line.

HOW TO – 1v0

Puck starts in corner with player at point area.
First player skates with the puck toward the D and passes to the point.
They transition open and receive the puck back.
they skate towards the original line, pass, transition open. and receive back.
They repeat to the point again, but instead of receiving it back they drive to the net around the top of the circle area.
The point passes down to the player in the corner (wall bank pass preferred to optimize control/possession concepts).
Player from corner passes to the player in the slot. The shooter goes to the point, the point person gets in line. *Can have only D play at the point if you want to be specific about this work.

HOW TO – 3v1 or 3v2

Skating/shooting concept is the same as above.
For this variation, we add in defenders who have to pressure the puck carrier. If one D, they pressure the full wall then release with the shooter. If 3v2, defenders play top and bottom quarters.
Wall player needs to make a minimum of 3 passes (preferably like original drill) but can make more if necessary to create a lane to the net. The pass inside can come directly from the low player if that’s where the last pass was or go high > low > inside.
Players are allowed to then play out the 3v1/2 on their half of the ice.

FOCUS

Good, on-target passing while creating time & space. Once defenders are added, you’ll see more panic and breakdown in the passing and more wanting to stick handle out of a situation than to move their body to get a good passing lane and give it to someone else.
Keep feet moving! There will be a tendency to not move much up and down the wall. The more the players can keep their feet moving, the better they will be at creating opportunities down the road.
Evaluate options. Players, especially once D are involved, need to be able to see when a lane opens up, where, and how to best exploit it.
Creativity. When D are involved, get creative on your passes. From a D perspective, work on creatively funneling players to a less dangerous space to contain till possession.

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.

Circle Regroup

SKILLS

SKATING - STARTS, STOPS, TRANSITIONS

PASSING IN MOTION

PUCK CONTROL/POSSESSION

HOCKEY SENSE

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.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Lions Pass & Move

SKILLS

SKATING

PASSING

HOCKEY SENSE

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 – V1

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.

HOW TO – V2

Set up like version A.
This time, player 3 will pressure (80/20) forcing the passing player (#1) to make a decision on where to pass to. In this example, Player #3 is forcing them to pass to player #2. 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.

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

You can add in pass type requirements (saucer, backhands), or the pressure angle.
You could also add in a second puck to create more chaos and require more heads up thinking.
Change skating angles such as having players intentionally skate around the dot instead of just going at a 45 degree angle.

USAH/HPEL Angling Drill

PURPOSE

Work on angling, body contact, and keeping players to the front and/or outside in a tight area, controlled manner.

SKILLS

Transitional skating
Mirroring
Angling

HOW TO – 1v1

One player at blue line and one player at top of the circle.
At the same time, player 1 will skate forward with a puck toward the top of the circle and player 2 will skate backward without a puck.
About halfway, player 1 will pass to player 2 (if necessary you can ad cones as markers for where to pass).
Player 2 will receive pass and transition back to forwards at the bottom of the circle. Player 1 will transition to backwards to the top of the circle. Player 2 will pass back to player 1, about half way again.
Player 1 will continue to skate backwards to the blue while player 2 will continue to skate forwards to the top of the circle. Player 1 will transition to forwards and drive down the boards, player 2 will step out and play D for the 1v1 trying to tie up the player on the boards and get possession. Player 1 will try to drive wide and then go to the net.
Player 1 then goes to player #2 spot. Player 2 gets in line at #1 spot.

HOW TO – 2v1

This is essentially the same as the 1v1 version except player 2 starts with the puck and passes to the D (3). Player 1 will receive the puck back from the D.
Player 1 will drive board side on the top transition while player 2 will curl inside. The D should still force the contact at the boards while player 2 should put themselves in a position to be an option.
Play 2v2 to either a shot or clear.

FOCUS

Keeping players wide and making contact as soon as possible. Players, especially those with body contact hesitance, will allow the puck carrier to continue to the corner or net.
This is a defensive drill, not a scoring drill. The whole point here is actually to NOT let shots and opportunities happen. The more bored a goalie is, the better, so to speak.

Agility Relay

PURPOSE

Technical skating, balance, and competition.

HOW TO

Place 4 cones on each side of the ice in a zig-zag pattern. Place one Border Patrol bumper at the blue line. Coach will be outside the blue line with pucks.
Divide team in half in each corner.
First players in each line skate weave around the cones, hop the Border Patrol, then race for a puck the coach puts into the zone for a 1v1 and shot on net.

FOCUS

Tight, technical turns around the cones, shielding with the body and in a low, stable position.
Competition! If you fall, get back up. If you’re behind, finish strong – DON’T GIVE UP!

VARIATIONS

Always forwards
Skate backwards, transition to forwards for the jump
Transitions, stops/starts, or escape turns at each cone
Change alignment of cones or placement of bumpers
Have players carry a puck and have to pass back to original line before hop

Escape to Decision

PURPOSE

Working on puck control and escape maneuvers in a tight area while also incorporating hockey sense and decision making.

SKILLS

Puck control
Technical skating (forward, backward, transitions, stops & starts)
Hockey sense

HOW TO

Using two cones as markers, the first player in line with a puck skates forwards around far cone and back to first cone.
The stop facing toward the cones then transition to backwards.
The skate backwards to top cone, transition back to forwards and proceed to first cone.
The stop facing toward the cones, then open up and skate between the cones.
Just past the cones, they will have to make a decision which way to go around the coach (coach should use stick/body to angle the player to the inside or outside).
Once around the coach, the player takes a shot on net.

FOCUS

Good close and controlled puck handling. This is to mimic moves that may be made in a tight area to retain and create space.
Skating edge control. Players should make tight turns and stay as close to the cones as possible and resist the urge for big loops or not stopping in the direction instructed.
Smart decision making. By the coach directing one way or the other, players need to start to see where there is more open ice. Some players will always go one way or another despite the coach putting out a stick and reducing the lane. Work with them to identify the gap and take advantage.

VARIATIONS

Add a pass at the bottom and return pass as the player cuts through the cones (shown)
Change the location of the drill from going across the zone to north-south
Have a more active defender or use a static obstacle instead of a coach
Swap out the coach with a passer and the player has to play the puck off the passer and react to that

Roadrunner Skating & Passing

PURPOSE

This a quick skating and passing in motion drill designed mimic transitional passing plays in games. Using them in progression helps to build the hockey sense related to these skills.

SKILLS

Passing
Skating
Hockey sense

HOW TO

VERSION A:

Two lines with two cones used a visual reference markers (advanced players may not need the cones), and one puck (have a few nearby for the errant pass situation to keep things moving).
First player starts forward with the puck and at the first cone, passes to the line across from them, then finishes skating to the other line.
The player receiving the pass then takes a few strides to their near cone and passes to the opposite line.
Drill is a continuous flow.

VERSION B:

Two pass version of A.
Players make first pass to opposite line at near cone, receive puck back, then make a second pass near second cone.

VERSION C:

Players from each side go at the SAME time
Players carry puck toward their far cone.
At the cone they will pass to the line nearest them (opposite from where they started), transition open and receive puck back.
Player will then skate forward toward their original line and at the next cone, pass to the next person in line to start over.

VERSION D:

This one is closer to A & B, but involves a quick transition, making it more technical than C, so here we are.
First player in a line skates backward with a puck and makes 2 passes to their original line (one at first cone, one near center of the drill).
Transitions to forwards and makes one pass to the other line, who starts the drill from the other side.

FOCUS

Skating in a game-like speed and with heads up hockey intent. If players are only going half speed just to do it right, they need to work to build to push the boundaries.
Passing on-target with pop and receiving with forward thinking. This means they pass with pace – no soft, limp noodle, passes (game-like passes) and they are thinking about where they need to go next on both sides of the puck

VARIATIONS

For these drills you can always add in more steps/passes or even more cones.
This can be hybrid with the 3 Cone Passing drill, where instead of shooting, they release to pass to the other line creating a continuous passing drill with two open transitions.

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

Big M

PURPOSE

Skating and conditioning while also learning to generate and maintain speed

HOW TO

Starting in one corner, players skate down the boards to the far face off dot and turn back up ice. To work tight and wide turns, this can be a power turn.
Heading toward center ice, they will go around the center face off circle (not dot) and head toward the other far face off dot for another short turn.
Turning up ice they will go down the boards opposite of where they started to other zone face off dot for another short turn.
Players then head back to center ice for another wide turn around the center face off circle.
Back to nearest face off dot by where they started, then finish in the far corner.

FOCUS

Bending knees in turns to generate and maintain speed
Skating in a game-like manner, meaning players aren’t coming up out of their hockey stance on the straight aways
cross overs on short and long turns
Puck control if pucks are involved

VARIATIONS

Backwards
In transition (half the drill will be forwards to backwards, half will be backwards to forwards)
All big turns or all power turns
Add in extra cones for weaving on the long straight aways

Tight Figure 8s Skating

PURPOSE

Technical skating skill to work on puck and edge control while maintaining or gaining speed into and out of turns or transition.

HOW TO

Drill in runs north south in lines
Place 8 cones per line – each face off dot, tops of circles, and all three center lines.
Player skates forwards on one side of the cone then cuts inside of first set of cones, power turns and does a figure 8 around the set of cones. Pattern repeats at each double set of cone.
For the single cone at the red line, player will do a tight power turn around the single cone.
Once all players get to the other end, repeat back to the original side. If players started on the right side of the cone, they will return on the left

FOCUS

Edges, edges, edges. Player may have the tendency to either not get into their edges enough, making wider turns or digging to much to the point of almost stopping.

VARIATIONS

Backwards
Transition
Escape turns