Half Ice Center Lag

PURPOSE

This is a timing and quick shot drill designed to focus on utilizing board space and driving wide to create a back side read opportunity. Defensively, it works on mirroring for gap control and forcing the play while being cognizant of the dangerous man.

HOW TO

• Players start in the corner with pucks. Player 1 drives up boards and curls along blue line, staying on-side.
• Once player 1 reaches near half zone, player 2 hits them with a pass.
• Immediately after the pass, player 2 curls around the circle and player 2 releases inside, and becomes a defender.
• Player 1 carries the puck wide while player 3 transitions into a defensive zone and player 2 times their curl to become open on the backside.
• Player 1 then tries to get the puck to player 2 for a quick shot, or can take the short side if the goalie is cheating.

FOCUS

• Timing, timing, timing. If player 2 gets around the circle too soon, they are more easily covered and often too low for a good scoring opportunity. If player 3 is too quick, they too may end up too low or become more easily covered.
• Defensively, players need to keep shoulders parallel to the crease to be able to attack all angles more effectively

VARIATIONS

• Player 2 can skate higher and wider in the zone to become a trailer. With this, player 3 will also have to adjust their path to better mirror players 1 & 2 and to contain space.