Systems

Swing to Net Support

PURPOSE

This is a simple passing drill that replicates a feed to the point, a cross ice swing (for either D to D in the zone or on a re-group) and then setting up inside for net front presence and support.

SKILLS

Passing
Systems (utilizing the points, regrouping)
Net front presence

HOW TO

Players split up into 4 lines – 2 corners and 2 blues with nests on short ends. Players in corners have pucks.
For example, player in left corner (player 1) chips the puck off the boards behind the net to the player at the near blue (player 2) and then skates in front of the net.
Player 2 swings to the other player at the blue (player 3), while player 1 wide curls in a regroup-like pattern.
Player 1 then curls toward the net, opens up to receive a pass from player 3. Player 3 makes pass and drives to net to support the play and get any garbage.

FOCUS

Becoming an option is critical. By this, player need to time their route and hip open to get into a shooting position.

3v3 Breakout

PURPOSE

Cross ice game for fun and hockey sense development. For this game, players must look to pass as well as score by making a breakout on puck possession changes.

SKILLS:

Passing
Skating
Hockey sense
Systems (breakouts)
Teamwork

HOW TO

Split into two teams, nets places cross zone. Puck is dumped in for 3v3 play.
Players must score on designated goal.
At change of possession, a player must carry the puck behind their net and “break out” to a teammate before they can go back on the attack.
As game progresses, coaches can add in passing parameters, or other game-like situations to overcome.

Royals Quick Rush Progression

PURPOSE

Move puck quickly to net and capitalize on odd attack opportunities.

SKILLS

Quick offensive transition to a scoring chance by taking advantage of opportunities instead of waiting for pressure
Using your help
Heads-up, smart hockey sense

HOW TO

Split team in half. Designate one team as offense and other as defense.
Put puck in play and attacking team gets 2-3 seconds to gather puck and get a shot.
Then one player from defending team is released to create a 3v1. They get 5-6 seconds to play (one rebound).
Then another defender is released for a 3v2. They get 10-15 seconds to play.
If defending team gets possession, they can try to score.
Flip offensive team on next puck in.

FOCUS

Quick ups and taking opportunities when you have them.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

https://www.minnesotahockey.org/news_article/show/1190266

Zones 1v1

PURPOSE

**This is a variation of the Zone Defense Passing Game**

The main purpose of this is creating and containing space and self-less play to create a scoring chance. Players will need to figure out how to move and get open in their zone to become an option for their teammate.

SKILLS

Passing and using space to create opportunities
Defending net front presence
Transitioning from offense to defense and back

HOW TO

Set up the nets like a normal cross ice game. Divide the zone into 3 smaller zones – between the circles and each end – then divide the team in half. This mimics the 3 zones of play on ice.
Each team will put 3 players in the zone with one in each of the smaller zones – they must stay in their zone. Designate which way each team shoots.
Coach will shoot a puck into one of the zones. The players must play a 1v1 in their zone to gain possession and try to score by working it to the player in the offensive zone.
Players in any zone can shoot on their designated net – yes, even from the D zone – but they cannot move into another zone to shoot and they cannot carry or stick handle the puck into that other zone. Players can also pass the puck back into a different zone to create time and space as long as they do not skate into, carry or stick handle the puck into that other zone.

FOCUS

Creative play! Players need to work on getting open and moving the puck quickly to gain possession within the given time and space.
Passing and quick shots. Players who take their time and want to do too much on their own to be the hero will not succeed.

VARIATIONS

Change the position of the nets – back to back, in each corner or on goal lines, or even change the distance.
Add extra players in end zones so it becomes a 2v1 or 2v2 in the ends and 1v1 in the middle.
Add passing requirements.

Neutral Zone Angling 2v2

PURPOSE

Quick up to 2v2 focusing on reading play and angling players wide to prevent shot.

SKILLS

Transitional Rush
Angling and attack-zone defense recognition

HOW TO

**Drill will be run out of both sides, but only illustrated on one to ease diagram confusion.**

Groups of players at boards. For this purpose, A will be on offense and B will be on defense. Have all players run both offensively and defensively. Coach in the zone on the same side near the has marks.
On whistle, players drive towards the opposite zone and coach plays puck to one of the A players. They turn up ice. B players transition to defense. Play goes into zone nearest where they started.
On next whistle, play begins from the other side.

FOCUS

Good passing angles
Speed and movement through neutral zone
Not being selfish with the puck but taking the lane or shot if they have it
Defensively, angling to force players wide an deep to turn over or reduced shot angle

VARIATIONS

Change the number of players – 3v3, 3v2, 1v2, 1v1, etc.
Add additional rules like passing limits or location of shots

3 Zone Timing

PURPOSE

Motion through zone, timing passes, quick ups and zone entry with speed.

SKILLS

Passing in motion
Single swing low breakout, typical on PP/PK situations
Neutral zone post up to zone rush

HOW TO

Line of players in opposite corners and coach in same side face off circle with pucks.
1 skates down wing and loops low in the opposite zone. 2 swings wide and heads to post up at red line. 3 drives near side wing, wheels towards the board then cuts across the blue line.
When 2 is approaching the red line, they will receive a pass from the coach opposite them.
2 will pass or chip into 2, who passes or chips to 3. Three becomes F1 and F2 and F3 complete triangle.
Once pass is made to player 1 from player 2, the opposite side starts.

FOCUS

Quick passes, preferably one touch

Filling lanes and gaining the zone with speed and movement

VARIATIONS

Add a defenseman
Start out of 4 corners, 1 skates up to blue, passes to corner, who swings and that player goes up to 2 for the strongside stretch or in to 1, who does a quick give & go then chip to 3.

Advanced Escape Wheel

PURPOSE

Extend principles of the escape wheel and build on escape skating and stick handling skills. This is a great drill for building power play wall technique and low zone cycling.

SKILLS

Power skating
Cycling
Board work to create space
Quick shooting

HOW TO

Three players start in the neutral zone.

Coach throws puck into corner.

Player 1 retrieves the puck. Player 2 reads, delays, and supports in the corner, player 3 becomes defender in the circle.

Player 1 runs normal pattern as Escape Wheel – skates to top of circle, hits breaks, goes back down wall, power turns towards boards shielding puck and then goes back around circle. Player 1 has option to bump off boards to player in the corner or carry around the top of the circle for a high give ‘n’ go.

Even though player 2 is not an engaged player initially, they need to keep themselves an option, supporting the puck carrier and calling for the bump if the defender is pushing high, or shifting passing angle to be a better option if they carry.

Player 2 passes back to player 1 for the shot.

FOCUS

Quick passes and movement
Reading and timing plays
Defensively, it works on deciding when then attack and when to gap and contain.

Predators NZ Post Up – Easy

PURPOSE

Quick post up to zone entry or breakout.

SKILLS

Regrouping
Post-up to zone entry which can translate to any area of the ice but is especially useful in the neutral zone
Reading and applying defensive pressure

HOW TO

4 lines of forwards at neutral zone, 4 D – 2 in each zone, coach at opposite blue lines. Pucks in the middle.
F2 passes out to D1. At the time of the pass, F2 wide curls while F1 drives hard toward the coach and posts up.
D1 passes to D2 who passes to F1 posted up.
F1 chips around the coach to F2.
F2 drives to net while F1 releases and also goes to net for 2v0

FOCUS

Quick passes

Evading an attacker with a post and chip

Supporting the post

VARIATIONS

Move back into each zone to more clearly/specifically use the post-up as a breakout

D from other side play 2v2 after they finish the swing

5v0/3v2

PURPOSE

Breakout positioning and breakout variations to a zone entry.

HOW TO

Line of forwards and 2 D outside blue. Dump puck in zone.
D retreats, forwards set up for break out.
Breakout of zone and regroup in neutral zone. Try not to enter in a perfectly straight line – create and manage space.
Enter zone back on the two D that broke the puck out.

FOCUS

Quick, responsible, creative breakouts with accurate passing
Making sure forwards get low to be a good passing option with good passing angles (35 to 55 degrees)
On-side zone reentry with motion

VARIATIONS

Add forwards to forecheck, adding another element of pressure for the breakout as well as working on forecheck positioning
Add two more D to points to regroup to

Continuous Breakout/Forecheck

PURPOSE

Simulate breakout with pressure and line change.

HOW TO

This looks more confusing than it is and is really just a variation of a 5v3/3v2 breakout drill.

A pair of D and a line of forwards line up on one blue line (A) with another line of forwards (B) a few feet back. Another set of D are ready on the opposite blue. Remaining players (C) on boards out of the way.
Puck is dumped into the zone. For this illustration it is put into the left corner.
D retreats and group A sets up for breakout while group B forechecks them. The goal is for group A to break out and gain the red line. Group B will back check with minimal pressure to the neutral zone.
If group B gains possession, they can try to score. If they score or the puck is covered, reset and do it again.
Once group A gains the red, they will dump the puck into the other zone and head to the boards.
Group B now becomes the break out group and group C will come in for the forecheck from the boards and continue the pattern the other way.

FOCUS

Accurate passing on the breakout

Proper breakout and DZC coverage positions

Low on boards, curling to create and contain space

2 per zone (2 on the puck) funneling outside in for the forecheck

VARIATIONS

There are unlimited variations depending on creativity and skill level of the team. You can leave the breakout options open, or tell them they have to use a strong/weak side board, center curl, D give N go, reverse behind net, etc.