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The best-selling hockey drill book returns, bigger and better than ever! Now with 500 drills for all aspects of the game, The Hockey Drill Book, Second Edition, is a must-have for every coach and player!
With more than 40 years at the junior, university, NHL, international, and World Championship levels, five-time Coach of the Year Dave Chambers has spent countless hours on the ice developing players at every level. Practice after practice, he puts drills to the test, compiling the best here in The Hockey Drill Book.
Accompanied by step-by-step instructions, diagrams, illustrations, and coaching tips, the 500 drills cover essential skills for each position, offensive and defensive systems, pregame warm-ups, on-ice conditioning, and game-specific situations, including power plays, penalty killing, and face-offs. A collection of skill evaluation drills will help players and coaches identify strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement.
Whether your goal is to raise your game or coach your team to the top, The Hockey Drill Book is the go-to resource. It’s the only drill book you’ll ever need.
Chapter 1 Running Effective Practices and Drills
Chapter 2 Warm-Up Drills for Skating, Passing, and Stickhandling
Chapter 3 Warm-Up Drills With Shooting
Chapter 4 One-on-One Drills
Chapter 5 Two-on-One Drills
Chapter 6 Two-on-Two Drills
Chapter 7 Three-on-One Drills
Chapter 8 Three-on-Two, Five-on-Two, and Breakout Drills
Chapter 9 Defensive Drills
Chapter 10 Combination Drills
Chapter 11 Shooting Drills
Chapter 12 Defenseman Drills
Chapter 13 Forward Drills
Chapter 14 Goalie Drills
Chapter 15 Power Play, Penalty-Killing, and Face-Off Drills
Chapter 16 Competitive Fun Drills and Games
Chapter 17 Evaluation Drills
Chapter 18 On-Ice Conditioning Drills
Dave Chambers has coached hockey for more than 40 years from key developmental levels to the National Hockey League and international competition. His experience with all types of players and styles makes him well suited for teaching the ever-evolving game that is a blend of the European and North American styles. Chambers has won two gold medals in World Championships, five university championships, and five Coach of the Year awards. He was named Master Coach by the Canadian Hockey Association and was inducted into the York University (Toronto, Canada) Sports Hall of Fame in 2006 and the University of British Columbia Sports Hall of Fame in 2001.
Chambers was an assistant coach with NHL’s Minnesota North Stars and head coach of the Quebec Nordiques. He coached the Canadian national junior team to the gold medal at the World Junior Championship in Moscow in 1988, the Canadian team to the championship in the International Spengler Cup Tournament in Switzerland in 1987, and the Canadian student national team to the silver medal at the World Student Games in 1985.
His university coaching career spanned 14 seasons while he earned a record of 334-110. Chambers coached at the University of Saskatchewan and the University of Guelph before holding the head coaching position at Ohio State University, where he won the CCHA Championship. He then coached at York University in Toronto, where his teams won three division championships, three Ontario championships, and a Canadian National Championship.
Chambers holds a PhD in sport science and was director of the coaching program at York University in the School of Kinesiology and Health Science. Chambers has written books and articles on coaching ice hockey and has made numerous presentations worldwide. He lives in Collingwood, Ontario.
“For more than 40 years Dave Chambers has been sharing his exceptional knowledge and wisdom as a coach, teacher, and specialist within the world of hockey. His brilliant forward-thinking instruction guides are long lasting yet new to coaches everywhere. He is a world-renowned student and teacher of the game and a man I admire and greatly respect. His information is useful to coaches everywhere.”
Lou Vairo-- Director of Special Projects, USA Hockey
“The Hockey Drill Book demonstrates Dave Chambers’ intimate knowledge of the game. He has the ability to simplify every skill set. This collection of drills is an absolute must for individual player and team development.”
Ken Hitchcock-- Head Coach, St. Louis Blues
A Typical Practice
A typical practice should include work on skill development, team play, and conditioning. For younger players (under 10 years old), the team should focus more on the basic skills of skating, passing, shooting, and puck control, with less emphasis on team systems.
A typical practice should include work on skill development, team play, and conditioning. For younger players (under 10 years old), the team should focus more on the basic skills of skating, passing, shooting, and puck control, with less emphasis on team systems. Older players still work on fundamentals but should spend more time on game situations and team play than younger players do. Practices can include the following:
- Individual skills and techniques
- Offensive play
- Defensive play
- Special teams (power play, penalty killing, face-offs)
- Conditioning
- Having fun
Here is an example of the sequence of activities in a typical practice. A variety of drills for each skill can be performed. And, as mentioned before, depending on the amount of time you have and the age group you're coaching, you may not be able to cover everything in a single practice. But remember, each practice should include stretching and one individual and team warm-up drill at the start, and a fun drill or game toward the end. And always make time for your players to cool down.
- Dressing room dynamic stretching and instruction
- Individual warm-up - skating, passing, puck control, and dynamic stretching
- Team warm-up - full ice with shooting
- 1v1
- 2v1
- 2v2
- 3v1
- Breakouts
- Positional skills - forwards, defensemen, goalies
- Scrimmage
- Fun - conditioning relay
- Cool-down - including a group discussion with the coach and static stretching
Designing and Using Effective Drills
Developing and implementing appropriate drills are the keys to effective practices. And because drills are the primary tool a coach has to help players practice and perfect important skills techniques, good drills are paramount. To help athletes improve their individual skills and team play, select the most effective drills and place them in the proper order within the practice plan. Your ability to do this will determine the team's level of success. Following is a common and effective teaching progression to help you choose and then implement drills into your practices. There are drills in this book that address each of the skills and strategies listed. Pick drills that focus on each of the following areas in the order provided. Drills focusing on basic skills and fundamentals should be at the beginning of practice because they are most important. Then progress toward more advanced drills, as illustrated. As previously mentioned, younger players who are just starting out should focus almost entirely on the basics, such as skating, puck control, passing, and shooting. For older, more advanced players, you can incorporate drills that develop offensive and defensive zone play and power play and penalty-killing strategies.
- Skating
- Puck control
- Passing and receiving
- Shooting
- Checking
- Goaltending
- Breakouts
- Regroups
- Offensive zone play
- Defensive zone play
- Power play
- Penalty killing
- Face-offs
Clearly explain or demonstrate the drill you are using to work on a skill. You can demonstrate or give instruction on how to perform drills during the practice before each drill and during skill practice. Some coaches prefer to explain drills before practice begins, especially with older athletes. Keep instructions brief to maximize ice time and activity during practice. To communicate effectively, remember the KISS principle: Keep it simple and specific. After you demonstrate the skill, the athletes should practice it immediately. Athletes can practice the skill alone, in pairs, or in groups, depending on the drill.
Also remember that athletes need to know how they are doing in their efforts to learn skills. Provide specific feedback during and after the practice of a skill. As the athletes practice the skill, you and coaching assistants should circulate among the athletes, giving feedback and correction. Group corrections can be given on common errors. In most cases, feedback should be positive, emphasizing correct movements and helping athletes correct or refine incorrect movements. Athletes learn more quickly in a positive environment.
The drills used for practicing the skills should be challenging and as gamelike as possible. If your team includes players with a large difference in skill levels, you may want to match players of similar skill levels in practice. If the difference in skill level is small, this type of matching is not necessary.
Learn more about The Hockey Drill Book.
Protect the Puck and Shoot for the Goalie
1. The forward protects the puck for 15 seconds and then drives for the net and shoots.
337 Protect the Puck and Four Passes
Protect the Puck
- The forward protects the puck for 15 seconds and then drives for the net and shoots.
- The defensive player shadows the offensive player and then plays 1v1 when the offensive player drives for the net on the coach's command or whistle (zone A).
Four Passes
The forward skates around the face-off circle, then outside the blue line, then outside the center line, and then around the opposite face-off circle inside the blue line. The forward receives a pass each time from the coach and shoots a total of four shots (zone B).
338 Shoot for the Goalie Pad, Rebound
- Forward 1 skates down the boards and shoots at the far pad of the goalie.
- Forward 2 goes for the rebound.
Save
Save
Save
Learn more about The Hockey Drill Book.
Power Play Breakouts and Double Double With a Drop
To begin, the coach shoots the puck into the corner. The five players for the power play team are on the blue line. The five players then break out using one of the following patterns.
411 Power Play Breakouts 5v0, 5v2, 5v3, 5v4
To begin, the coach shoots the puck into the corner. The five players for the power play team are on the blue line. The five players then break out using one of the following patterns. Once they go into the offensive zone, they pass the puck to the defense, make one play, and change. The drill progresses 5v2 (two defensemen only), 5v3 (two defensemen plus one forward), 5v4 (two defensemen plus two forwards), and the breakout is against the penalty killers.
Sequence 1: Double-Swing Breakout
- Forward 1 and defenseman 2 swing to opposite corners.
- Forward 2 skates across the ice at the near blue line.
- Forward 3 skates across at the far blue line.
- Defenseman 1 has the puck behind the net.
Sequence 2: Double Double-Swing Breakout
- Forward 1 and defenseman 2 swing to one corner.
- Forwards 2 and 3 swing to the other corner.
- Defenseman 1 has the puck behind the net.
Sequence 3: Double-Swing (One Side) Breakout
- Defenseman 2 and forward 1 swing to one corner.
- Forward 2 skates across the ice at the near blue line.
- Forward 3 skates across at the far blue line.
- Defenseman 1 stops behind the net with the puck.
Sequence 4: Forwards Cross Double-Swing Breakout
- Forwards 2 and 3 skate back from behind the center line, loop around, and cross.
- Defenseman 2 swings to one corner.
- Forward 1 swings to the opposite corner.
- Defenseman 1 skates behind the net with the puck (without stopping).
Sequence 5: Double-Swing Behind-the-Net Breakout
- Defenseman 1 stops behind the net with the puck.
- Forward 1 swings behind the net, followed by forward 2.
- Defenseman 2 swings to the opposite corner.
- Forward 3 skates across the ice at the center line.
Sequence 6: Swing and Drop
- Forward 1 skates behind the net and gets a puck from defenseman 1.
- Forward 2 stays high and comes across the ice at the far blue line.
- Defenseman 2 and forward 3 skate down the outside. Forward 3 cuts across at the far blue line, and defenseman 2 goes straight down the boards.
- Forward 1 drops the puck back to defenseman 1 and then skates across and down the far side of the rink.
- Defenseman 1 passes to forward 1 to enter the offensive zone. Defenseman 1 can also pass to forward 3, forward 2, or defenseman 2 to enter the zone.
412 Sequence 7 Double Double With a Drop
- Forwards 1 and 2 swing to the left and should be left-handed shots.
- Forward 3 should be a right-handed shot and swings to the right with defenseman 2.
- Defenseman 1 skates up the ice and drop passes the puck to forward 1.
- Forward 3 keeps at the same speed and in line with forward 1 and also should be available for a pass from forward 1.
- Defenseman 2 cuts to the middle between the center line and the far blue line.
- Forward 1 can pass to either side, pass up the middle, or carry over the blue line.
Save
Save
Learn more about The Hockey Drill Book.
Neutral Zone Puck Exchange
1. Player 1 and player 2 skate toward the center circle, staying on their own sides of the center line.
43 Neutral Zone Puck Exchange
- Player 1 and player 2 skate toward the center circle, staying on their own sides of the center line.
- Player 1 and player 2 exchange the puck, go around the pylon, and shoot at the end they started at.
- The drill is continuous.
Save
Save
Save
Learn more about The Hockey Drill Book.
A Typical Practice
A typical practice should include work on skill development, team play, and conditioning. For younger players (under 10 years old), the team should focus more on the basic skills of skating, passing, shooting, and puck control, with less emphasis on team systems.
A typical practice should include work on skill development, team play, and conditioning. For younger players (under 10 years old), the team should focus more on the basic skills of skating, passing, shooting, and puck control, with less emphasis on team systems. Older players still work on fundamentals but should spend more time on game situations and team play than younger players do. Practices can include the following:
- Individual skills and techniques
- Offensive play
- Defensive play
- Special teams (power play, penalty killing, face-offs)
- Conditioning
- Having fun
Here is an example of the sequence of activities in a typical practice. A variety of drills for each skill can be performed. And, as mentioned before, depending on the amount of time you have and the age group you're coaching, you may not be able to cover everything in a single practice. But remember, each practice should include stretching and one individual and team warm-up drill at the start, and a fun drill or game toward the end. And always make time for your players to cool down.
- Dressing room dynamic stretching and instruction
- Individual warm-up - skating, passing, puck control, and dynamic stretching
- Team warm-up - full ice with shooting
- 1v1
- 2v1
- 2v2
- 3v1
- Breakouts
- Positional skills - forwards, defensemen, goalies
- Scrimmage
- Fun - conditioning relay
- Cool-down - including a group discussion with the coach and static stretching
Designing and Using Effective Drills
Developing and implementing appropriate drills are the keys to effective practices. And because drills are the primary tool a coach has to help players practice and perfect important skills techniques, good drills are paramount. To help athletes improve their individual skills and team play, select the most effective drills and place them in the proper order within the practice plan. Your ability to do this will determine the team's level of success. Following is a common and effective teaching progression to help you choose and then implement drills into your practices. There are drills in this book that address each of the skills and strategies listed. Pick drills that focus on each of the following areas in the order provided. Drills focusing on basic skills and fundamentals should be at the beginning of practice because they are most important. Then progress toward more advanced drills, as illustrated. As previously mentioned, younger players who are just starting out should focus almost entirely on the basics, such as skating, puck control, passing, and shooting. For older, more advanced players, you can incorporate drills that develop offensive and defensive zone play and power play and penalty-killing strategies.
- Skating
- Puck control
- Passing and receiving
- Shooting
- Checking
- Goaltending
- Breakouts
- Regroups
- Offensive zone play
- Defensive zone play
- Power play
- Penalty killing
- Face-offs
Clearly explain or demonstrate the drill you are using to work on a skill. You can demonstrate or give instruction on how to perform drills during the practice before each drill and during skill practice. Some coaches prefer to explain drills before practice begins, especially with older athletes. Keep instructions brief to maximize ice time and activity during practice. To communicate effectively, remember the KISS principle: Keep it simple and specific. After you demonstrate the skill, the athletes should practice it immediately. Athletes can practice the skill alone, in pairs, or in groups, depending on the drill.
Also remember that athletes need to know how they are doing in their efforts to learn skills. Provide specific feedback during and after the practice of a skill. As the athletes practice the skill, you and coaching assistants should circulate among the athletes, giving feedback and correction. Group corrections can be given on common errors. In most cases, feedback should be positive, emphasizing correct movements and helping athletes correct or refine incorrect movements. Athletes learn more quickly in a positive environment.
The drills used for practicing the skills should be challenging and as gamelike as possible. If your team includes players with a large difference in skill levels, you may want to match players of similar skill levels in practice. If the difference in skill level is small, this type of matching is not necessary.
Learn more about The Hockey Drill Book.
Protect the Puck and Shoot for the Goalie
1. The forward protects the puck for 15 seconds and then drives for the net and shoots.
337 Protect the Puck and Four Passes
Protect the Puck
- The forward protects the puck for 15 seconds and then drives for the net and shoots.
- The defensive player shadows the offensive player and then plays 1v1 when the offensive player drives for the net on the coach's command or whistle (zone A).
Four Passes
The forward skates around the face-off circle, then outside the blue line, then outside the center line, and then around the opposite face-off circle inside the blue line. The forward receives a pass each time from the coach and shoots a total of four shots (zone B).
338 Shoot for the Goalie Pad, Rebound
- Forward 1 skates down the boards and shoots at the far pad of the goalie.
- Forward 2 goes for the rebound.
Save
Save
Save
Learn more about The Hockey Drill Book.
Power Play Breakouts and Double Double With a Drop
To begin, the coach shoots the puck into the corner. The five players for the power play team are on the blue line. The five players then break out using one of the following patterns.
411 Power Play Breakouts 5v0, 5v2, 5v3, 5v4
To begin, the coach shoots the puck into the corner. The five players for the power play team are on the blue line. The five players then break out using one of the following patterns. Once they go into the offensive zone, they pass the puck to the defense, make one play, and change. The drill progresses 5v2 (two defensemen only), 5v3 (two defensemen plus one forward), 5v4 (two defensemen plus two forwards), and the breakout is against the penalty killers.
Sequence 1: Double-Swing Breakout
- Forward 1 and defenseman 2 swing to opposite corners.
- Forward 2 skates across the ice at the near blue line.
- Forward 3 skates across at the far blue line.
- Defenseman 1 has the puck behind the net.
Sequence 2: Double Double-Swing Breakout
- Forward 1 and defenseman 2 swing to one corner.
- Forwards 2 and 3 swing to the other corner.
- Defenseman 1 has the puck behind the net.
Sequence 3: Double-Swing (One Side) Breakout
- Defenseman 2 and forward 1 swing to one corner.
- Forward 2 skates across the ice at the near blue line.
- Forward 3 skates across at the far blue line.
- Defenseman 1 stops behind the net with the puck.
Sequence 4: Forwards Cross Double-Swing Breakout
- Forwards 2 and 3 skate back from behind the center line, loop around, and cross.
- Defenseman 2 swings to one corner.
- Forward 1 swings to the opposite corner.
- Defenseman 1 skates behind the net with the puck (without stopping).
Sequence 5: Double-Swing Behind-the-Net Breakout
- Defenseman 1 stops behind the net with the puck.
- Forward 1 swings behind the net, followed by forward 2.
- Defenseman 2 swings to the opposite corner.
- Forward 3 skates across the ice at the center line.
Sequence 6: Swing and Drop
- Forward 1 skates behind the net and gets a puck from defenseman 1.
- Forward 2 stays high and comes across the ice at the far blue line.
- Defenseman 2 and forward 3 skate down the outside. Forward 3 cuts across at the far blue line, and defenseman 2 goes straight down the boards.
- Forward 1 drops the puck back to defenseman 1 and then skates across and down the far side of the rink.
- Defenseman 1 passes to forward 1 to enter the offensive zone. Defenseman 1 can also pass to forward 3, forward 2, or defenseman 2 to enter the zone.
412 Sequence 7 Double Double With a Drop
- Forwards 1 and 2 swing to the left and should be left-handed shots.
- Forward 3 should be a right-handed shot and swings to the right with defenseman 2.
- Defenseman 1 skates up the ice and drop passes the puck to forward 1.
- Forward 3 keeps at the same speed and in line with forward 1 and also should be available for a pass from forward 1.
- Defenseman 2 cuts to the middle between the center line and the far blue line.
- Forward 1 can pass to either side, pass up the middle, or carry over the blue line.
Save
Save
Learn more about The Hockey Drill Book.
Neutral Zone Puck Exchange
1. Player 1 and player 2 skate toward the center circle, staying on their own sides of the center line.
43 Neutral Zone Puck Exchange
- Player 1 and player 2 skate toward the center circle, staying on their own sides of the center line.
- Player 1 and player 2 exchange the puck, go around the pylon, and shoot at the end they started at.
- The drill is continuous.
Save
Save
Save
Learn more about The Hockey Drill Book.
A Typical Practice
A typical practice should include work on skill development, team play, and conditioning. For younger players (under 10 years old), the team should focus more on the basic skills of skating, passing, shooting, and puck control, with less emphasis on team systems.
A typical practice should include work on skill development, team play, and conditioning. For younger players (under 10 years old), the team should focus more on the basic skills of skating, passing, shooting, and puck control, with less emphasis on team systems. Older players still work on fundamentals but should spend more time on game situations and team play than younger players do. Practices can include the following:
- Individual skills and techniques
- Offensive play
- Defensive play
- Special teams (power play, penalty killing, face-offs)
- Conditioning
- Having fun
Here is an example of the sequence of activities in a typical practice. A variety of drills for each skill can be performed. And, as mentioned before, depending on the amount of time you have and the age group you're coaching, you may not be able to cover everything in a single practice. But remember, each practice should include stretching and one individual and team warm-up drill at the start, and a fun drill or game toward the end. And always make time for your players to cool down.
- Dressing room dynamic stretching and instruction
- Individual warm-up - skating, passing, puck control, and dynamic stretching
- Team warm-up - full ice with shooting
- 1v1
- 2v1
- 2v2
- 3v1
- Breakouts
- Positional skills - forwards, defensemen, goalies
- Scrimmage
- Fun - conditioning relay
- Cool-down - including a group discussion with the coach and static stretching
Designing and Using Effective Drills
Developing and implementing appropriate drills are the keys to effective practices. And because drills are the primary tool a coach has to help players practice and perfect important skills techniques, good drills are paramount. To help athletes improve their individual skills and team play, select the most effective drills and place them in the proper order within the practice plan. Your ability to do this will determine the team's level of success. Following is a common and effective teaching progression to help you choose and then implement drills into your practices. There are drills in this book that address each of the skills and strategies listed. Pick drills that focus on each of the following areas in the order provided. Drills focusing on basic skills and fundamentals should be at the beginning of practice because they are most important. Then progress toward more advanced drills, as illustrated. As previously mentioned, younger players who are just starting out should focus almost entirely on the basics, such as skating, puck control, passing, and shooting. For older, more advanced players, you can incorporate drills that develop offensive and defensive zone play and power play and penalty-killing strategies.
- Skating
- Puck control
- Passing and receiving
- Shooting
- Checking
- Goaltending
- Breakouts
- Regroups
- Offensive zone play
- Defensive zone play
- Power play
- Penalty killing
- Face-offs
Clearly explain or demonstrate the drill you are using to work on a skill. You can demonstrate or give instruction on how to perform drills during the practice before each drill and during skill practice. Some coaches prefer to explain drills before practice begins, especially with older athletes. Keep instructions brief to maximize ice time and activity during practice. To communicate effectively, remember the KISS principle: Keep it simple and specific. After you demonstrate the skill, the athletes should practice it immediately. Athletes can practice the skill alone, in pairs, or in groups, depending on the drill.
Also remember that athletes need to know how they are doing in their efforts to learn skills. Provide specific feedback during and after the practice of a skill. As the athletes practice the skill, you and coaching assistants should circulate among the athletes, giving feedback and correction. Group corrections can be given on common errors. In most cases, feedback should be positive, emphasizing correct movements and helping athletes correct or refine incorrect movements. Athletes learn more quickly in a positive environment.
The drills used for practicing the skills should be challenging and as gamelike as possible. If your team includes players with a large difference in skill levels, you may want to match players of similar skill levels in practice. If the difference in skill level is small, this type of matching is not necessary.
Learn more about The Hockey Drill Book.
Protect the Puck and Shoot for the Goalie
1. The forward protects the puck for 15 seconds and then drives for the net and shoots.
337 Protect the Puck and Four Passes
Protect the Puck
- The forward protects the puck for 15 seconds and then drives for the net and shoots.
- The defensive player shadows the offensive player and then plays 1v1 when the offensive player drives for the net on the coach's command or whistle (zone A).
Four Passes
The forward skates around the face-off circle, then outside the blue line, then outside the center line, and then around the opposite face-off circle inside the blue line. The forward receives a pass each time from the coach and shoots a total of four shots (zone B).
338 Shoot for the Goalie Pad, Rebound
- Forward 1 skates down the boards and shoots at the far pad of the goalie.
- Forward 2 goes for the rebound.
Save
Save
Save
Learn more about The Hockey Drill Book.
Power Play Breakouts and Double Double With a Drop
To begin, the coach shoots the puck into the corner. The five players for the power play team are on the blue line. The five players then break out using one of the following patterns.
411 Power Play Breakouts 5v0, 5v2, 5v3, 5v4
To begin, the coach shoots the puck into the corner. The five players for the power play team are on the blue line. The five players then break out using one of the following patterns. Once they go into the offensive zone, they pass the puck to the defense, make one play, and change. The drill progresses 5v2 (two defensemen only), 5v3 (two defensemen plus one forward), 5v4 (two defensemen plus two forwards), and the breakout is against the penalty killers.
Sequence 1: Double-Swing Breakout
- Forward 1 and defenseman 2 swing to opposite corners.
- Forward 2 skates across the ice at the near blue line.
- Forward 3 skates across at the far blue line.
- Defenseman 1 has the puck behind the net.
Sequence 2: Double Double-Swing Breakout
- Forward 1 and defenseman 2 swing to one corner.
- Forwards 2 and 3 swing to the other corner.
- Defenseman 1 has the puck behind the net.
Sequence 3: Double-Swing (One Side) Breakout
- Defenseman 2 and forward 1 swing to one corner.
- Forward 2 skates across the ice at the near blue line.
- Forward 3 skates across at the far blue line.
- Defenseman 1 stops behind the net with the puck.
Sequence 4: Forwards Cross Double-Swing Breakout
- Forwards 2 and 3 skate back from behind the center line, loop around, and cross.
- Defenseman 2 swings to one corner.
- Forward 1 swings to the opposite corner.
- Defenseman 1 skates behind the net with the puck (without stopping).
Sequence 5: Double-Swing Behind-the-Net Breakout
- Defenseman 1 stops behind the net with the puck.
- Forward 1 swings behind the net, followed by forward 2.
- Defenseman 2 swings to the opposite corner.
- Forward 3 skates across the ice at the center line.
Sequence 6: Swing and Drop
- Forward 1 skates behind the net and gets a puck from defenseman 1.
- Forward 2 stays high and comes across the ice at the far blue line.
- Defenseman 2 and forward 3 skate down the outside. Forward 3 cuts across at the far blue line, and defenseman 2 goes straight down the boards.
- Forward 1 drops the puck back to defenseman 1 and then skates across and down the far side of the rink.
- Defenseman 1 passes to forward 1 to enter the offensive zone. Defenseman 1 can also pass to forward 3, forward 2, or defenseman 2 to enter the zone.
412 Sequence 7 Double Double With a Drop
- Forwards 1 and 2 swing to the left and should be left-handed shots.
- Forward 3 should be a right-handed shot and swings to the right with defenseman 2.
- Defenseman 1 skates up the ice and drop passes the puck to forward 1.
- Forward 3 keeps at the same speed and in line with forward 1 and also should be available for a pass from forward 1.
- Defenseman 2 cuts to the middle between the center line and the far blue line.
- Forward 1 can pass to either side, pass up the middle, or carry over the blue line.
Save
Save
Learn more about The Hockey Drill Book.
Neutral Zone Puck Exchange
1. Player 1 and player 2 skate toward the center circle, staying on their own sides of the center line.
43 Neutral Zone Puck Exchange
- Player 1 and player 2 skate toward the center circle, staying on their own sides of the center line.
- Player 1 and player 2 exchange the puck, go around the pylon, and shoot at the end they started at.
- The drill is continuous.
Save
Save
Save
Learn more about The Hockey Drill Book.
A Typical Practice
A typical practice should include work on skill development, team play, and conditioning. For younger players (under 10 years old), the team should focus more on the basic skills of skating, passing, shooting, and puck control, with less emphasis on team systems.
A typical practice should include work on skill development, team play, and conditioning. For younger players (under 10 years old), the team should focus more on the basic skills of skating, passing, shooting, and puck control, with less emphasis on team systems. Older players still work on fundamentals but should spend more time on game situations and team play than younger players do. Practices can include the following:
- Individual skills and techniques
- Offensive play
- Defensive play
- Special teams (power play, penalty killing, face-offs)
- Conditioning
- Having fun
Here is an example of the sequence of activities in a typical practice. A variety of drills for each skill can be performed. And, as mentioned before, depending on the amount of time you have and the age group you're coaching, you may not be able to cover everything in a single practice. But remember, each practice should include stretching and one individual and team warm-up drill at the start, and a fun drill or game toward the end. And always make time for your players to cool down.
- Dressing room dynamic stretching and instruction
- Individual warm-up - skating, passing, puck control, and dynamic stretching
- Team warm-up - full ice with shooting
- 1v1
- 2v1
- 2v2
- 3v1
- Breakouts
- Positional skills - forwards, defensemen, goalies
- Scrimmage
- Fun - conditioning relay
- Cool-down - including a group discussion with the coach and static stretching
Designing and Using Effective Drills
Developing and implementing appropriate drills are the keys to effective practices. And because drills are the primary tool a coach has to help players practice and perfect important skills techniques, good drills are paramount. To help athletes improve their individual skills and team play, select the most effective drills and place them in the proper order within the practice plan. Your ability to do this will determine the team's level of success. Following is a common and effective teaching progression to help you choose and then implement drills into your practices. There are drills in this book that address each of the skills and strategies listed. Pick drills that focus on each of the following areas in the order provided. Drills focusing on basic skills and fundamentals should be at the beginning of practice because they are most important. Then progress toward more advanced drills, as illustrated. As previously mentioned, younger players who are just starting out should focus almost entirely on the basics, such as skating, puck control, passing, and shooting. For older, more advanced players, you can incorporate drills that develop offensive and defensive zone play and power play and penalty-killing strategies.
- Skating
- Puck control
- Passing and receiving
- Shooting
- Checking
- Goaltending
- Breakouts
- Regroups
- Offensive zone play
- Defensive zone play
- Power play
- Penalty killing
- Face-offs
Clearly explain or demonstrate the drill you are using to work on a skill. You can demonstrate or give instruction on how to perform drills during the practice before each drill and during skill practice. Some coaches prefer to explain drills before practice begins, especially with older athletes. Keep instructions brief to maximize ice time and activity during practice. To communicate effectively, remember the KISS principle: Keep it simple and specific. After you demonstrate the skill, the athletes should practice it immediately. Athletes can practice the skill alone, in pairs, or in groups, depending on the drill.
Also remember that athletes need to know how they are doing in their efforts to learn skills. Provide specific feedback during and after the practice of a skill. As the athletes practice the skill, you and coaching assistants should circulate among the athletes, giving feedback and correction. Group corrections can be given on common errors. In most cases, feedback should be positive, emphasizing correct movements and helping athletes correct or refine incorrect movements. Athletes learn more quickly in a positive environment.
The drills used for practicing the skills should be challenging and as gamelike as possible. If your team includes players with a large difference in skill levels, you may want to match players of similar skill levels in practice. If the difference in skill level is small, this type of matching is not necessary.
Learn more about The Hockey Drill Book.
Protect the Puck and Shoot for the Goalie
1. The forward protects the puck for 15 seconds and then drives for the net and shoots.
337 Protect the Puck and Four Passes
Protect the Puck
- The forward protects the puck for 15 seconds and then drives for the net and shoots.
- The defensive player shadows the offensive player and then plays 1v1 when the offensive player drives for the net on the coach's command or whistle (zone A).
Four Passes
The forward skates around the face-off circle, then outside the blue line, then outside the center line, and then around the opposite face-off circle inside the blue line. The forward receives a pass each time from the coach and shoots a total of four shots (zone B).
338 Shoot for the Goalie Pad, Rebound
- Forward 1 skates down the boards and shoots at the far pad of the goalie.
- Forward 2 goes for the rebound.
Save
Save
Save
Learn more about The Hockey Drill Book.
Power Play Breakouts and Double Double With a Drop
To begin, the coach shoots the puck into the corner. The five players for the power play team are on the blue line. The five players then break out using one of the following patterns.
411 Power Play Breakouts 5v0, 5v2, 5v3, 5v4
To begin, the coach shoots the puck into the corner. The five players for the power play team are on the blue line. The five players then break out using one of the following patterns. Once they go into the offensive zone, they pass the puck to the defense, make one play, and change. The drill progresses 5v2 (two defensemen only), 5v3 (two defensemen plus one forward), 5v4 (two defensemen plus two forwards), and the breakout is against the penalty killers.
Sequence 1: Double-Swing Breakout
- Forward 1 and defenseman 2 swing to opposite corners.
- Forward 2 skates across the ice at the near blue line.
- Forward 3 skates across at the far blue line.
- Defenseman 1 has the puck behind the net.
Sequence 2: Double Double-Swing Breakout
- Forward 1 and defenseman 2 swing to one corner.
- Forwards 2 and 3 swing to the other corner.
- Defenseman 1 has the puck behind the net.
Sequence 3: Double-Swing (One Side) Breakout
- Defenseman 2 and forward 1 swing to one corner.
- Forward 2 skates across the ice at the near blue line.
- Forward 3 skates across at the far blue line.
- Defenseman 1 stops behind the net with the puck.
Sequence 4: Forwards Cross Double-Swing Breakout
- Forwards 2 and 3 skate back from behind the center line, loop around, and cross.
- Defenseman 2 swings to one corner.
- Forward 1 swings to the opposite corner.
- Defenseman 1 skates behind the net with the puck (without stopping).
Sequence 5: Double-Swing Behind-the-Net Breakout
- Defenseman 1 stops behind the net with the puck.
- Forward 1 swings behind the net, followed by forward 2.
- Defenseman 2 swings to the opposite corner.
- Forward 3 skates across the ice at the center line.
Sequence 6: Swing and Drop
- Forward 1 skates behind the net and gets a puck from defenseman 1.
- Forward 2 stays high and comes across the ice at the far blue line.
- Defenseman 2 and forward 3 skate down the outside. Forward 3 cuts across at the far blue line, and defenseman 2 goes straight down the boards.
- Forward 1 drops the puck back to defenseman 1 and then skates across and down the far side of the rink.
- Defenseman 1 passes to forward 1 to enter the offensive zone. Defenseman 1 can also pass to forward 3, forward 2, or defenseman 2 to enter the zone.
412 Sequence 7 Double Double With a Drop
- Forwards 1 and 2 swing to the left and should be left-handed shots.
- Forward 3 should be a right-handed shot and swings to the right with defenseman 2.
- Defenseman 1 skates up the ice and drop passes the puck to forward 1.
- Forward 3 keeps at the same speed and in line with forward 1 and also should be available for a pass from forward 1.
- Defenseman 2 cuts to the middle between the center line and the far blue line.
- Forward 1 can pass to either side, pass up the middle, or carry over the blue line.
Save
Save
Learn more about The Hockey Drill Book.
Neutral Zone Puck Exchange
1. Player 1 and player 2 skate toward the center circle, staying on their own sides of the center line.
43 Neutral Zone Puck Exchange
- Player 1 and player 2 skate toward the center circle, staying on their own sides of the center line.
- Player 1 and player 2 exchange the puck, go around the pylon, and shoot at the end they started at.
- The drill is continuous.
Save
Save
Save
Learn more about The Hockey Drill Book.
A Typical Practice
A typical practice should include work on skill development, team play, and conditioning. For younger players (under 10 years old), the team should focus more on the basic skills of skating, passing, shooting, and puck control, with less emphasis on team systems.
A typical practice should include work on skill development, team play, and conditioning. For younger players (under 10 years old), the team should focus more on the basic skills of skating, passing, shooting, and puck control, with less emphasis on team systems. Older players still work on fundamentals but should spend more time on game situations and team play than younger players do. Practices can include the following:
- Individual skills and techniques
- Offensive play
- Defensive play
- Special teams (power play, penalty killing, face-offs)
- Conditioning
- Having fun
Here is an example of the sequence of activities in a typical practice. A variety of drills for each skill can be performed. And, as mentioned before, depending on the amount of time you have and the age group you're coaching, you may not be able to cover everything in a single practice. But remember, each practice should include stretching and one individual and team warm-up drill at the start, and a fun drill or game toward the end. And always make time for your players to cool down.
- Dressing room dynamic stretching and instruction
- Individual warm-up - skating, passing, puck control, and dynamic stretching
- Team warm-up - full ice with shooting
- 1v1
- 2v1
- 2v2
- 3v1
- Breakouts
- Positional skills - forwards, defensemen, goalies
- Scrimmage
- Fun - conditioning relay
- Cool-down - including a group discussion with the coach and static stretching
Designing and Using Effective Drills
Developing and implementing appropriate drills are the keys to effective practices. And because drills are the primary tool a coach has to help players practice and perfect important skills techniques, good drills are paramount. To help athletes improve their individual skills and team play, select the most effective drills and place them in the proper order within the practice plan. Your ability to do this will determine the team's level of success. Following is a common and effective teaching progression to help you choose and then implement drills into your practices. There are drills in this book that address each of the skills and strategies listed. Pick drills that focus on each of the following areas in the order provided. Drills focusing on basic skills and fundamentals should be at the beginning of practice because they are most important. Then progress toward more advanced drills, as illustrated. As previously mentioned, younger players who are just starting out should focus almost entirely on the basics, such as skating, puck control, passing, and shooting. For older, more advanced players, you can incorporate drills that develop offensive and defensive zone play and power play and penalty-killing strategies.
- Skating
- Puck control
- Passing and receiving
- Shooting
- Checking
- Goaltending
- Breakouts
- Regroups
- Offensive zone play
- Defensive zone play
- Power play
- Penalty killing
- Face-offs
Clearly explain or demonstrate the drill you are using to work on a skill. You can demonstrate or give instruction on how to perform drills during the practice before each drill and during skill practice. Some coaches prefer to explain drills before practice begins, especially with older athletes. Keep instructions brief to maximize ice time and activity during practice. To communicate effectively, remember the KISS principle: Keep it simple and specific. After you demonstrate the skill, the athletes should practice it immediately. Athletes can practice the skill alone, in pairs, or in groups, depending on the drill.
Also remember that athletes need to know how they are doing in their efforts to learn skills. Provide specific feedback during and after the practice of a skill. As the athletes practice the skill, you and coaching assistants should circulate among the athletes, giving feedback and correction. Group corrections can be given on common errors. In most cases, feedback should be positive, emphasizing correct movements and helping athletes correct or refine incorrect movements. Athletes learn more quickly in a positive environment.
The drills used for practicing the skills should be challenging and as gamelike as possible. If your team includes players with a large difference in skill levels, you may want to match players of similar skill levels in practice. If the difference in skill level is small, this type of matching is not necessary.
Learn more about The Hockey Drill Book.
Protect the Puck and Shoot for the Goalie
1. The forward protects the puck for 15 seconds and then drives for the net and shoots.
337 Protect the Puck and Four Passes
Protect the Puck
- The forward protects the puck for 15 seconds and then drives for the net and shoots.
- The defensive player shadows the offensive player and then plays 1v1 when the offensive player drives for the net on the coach's command or whistle (zone A).
Four Passes
The forward skates around the face-off circle, then outside the blue line, then outside the center line, and then around the opposite face-off circle inside the blue line. The forward receives a pass each time from the coach and shoots a total of four shots (zone B).
338 Shoot for the Goalie Pad, Rebound
- Forward 1 skates down the boards and shoots at the far pad of the goalie.
- Forward 2 goes for the rebound.
Save
Save
Save
Learn more about The Hockey Drill Book.
Power Play Breakouts and Double Double With a Drop
To begin, the coach shoots the puck into the corner. The five players for the power play team are on the blue line. The five players then break out using one of the following patterns.
411 Power Play Breakouts 5v0, 5v2, 5v3, 5v4
To begin, the coach shoots the puck into the corner. The five players for the power play team are on the blue line. The five players then break out using one of the following patterns. Once they go into the offensive zone, they pass the puck to the defense, make one play, and change. The drill progresses 5v2 (two defensemen only), 5v3 (two defensemen plus one forward), 5v4 (two defensemen plus two forwards), and the breakout is against the penalty killers.
Sequence 1: Double-Swing Breakout
- Forward 1 and defenseman 2 swing to opposite corners.
- Forward 2 skates across the ice at the near blue line.
- Forward 3 skates across at the far blue line.
- Defenseman 1 has the puck behind the net.
Sequence 2: Double Double-Swing Breakout
- Forward 1 and defenseman 2 swing to one corner.
- Forwards 2 and 3 swing to the other corner.
- Defenseman 1 has the puck behind the net.
Sequence 3: Double-Swing (One Side) Breakout
- Defenseman 2 and forward 1 swing to one corner.
- Forward 2 skates across the ice at the near blue line.
- Forward 3 skates across at the far blue line.
- Defenseman 1 stops behind the net with the puck.
Sequence 4: Forwards Cross Double-Swing Breakout
- Forwards 2 and 3 skate back from behind the center line, loop around, and cross.
- Defenseman 2 swings to one corner.
- Forward 1 swings to the opposite corner.
- Defenseman 1 skates behind the net with the puck (without stopping).
Sequence 5: Double-Swing Behind-the-Net Breakout
- Defenseman 1 stops behind the net with the puck.
- Forward 1 swings behind the net, followed by forward 2.
- Defenseman 2 swings to the opposite corner.
- Forward 3 skates across the ice at the center line.
Sequence 6: Swing and Drop
- Forward 1 skates behind the net and gets a puck from defenseman 1.
- Forward 2 stays high and comes across the ice at the far blue line.
- Defenseman 2 and forward 3 skate down the outside. Forward 3 cuts across at the far blue line, and defenseman 2 goes straight down the boards.
- Forward 1 drops the puck back to defenseman 1 and then skates across and down the far side of the rink.
- Defenseman 1 passes to forward 1 to enter the offensive zone. Defenseman 1 can also pass to forward 3, forward 2, or defenseman 2 to enter the zone.
412 Sequence 7 Double Double With a Drop
- Forwards 1 and 2 swing to the left and should be left-handed shots.
- Forward 3 should be a right-handed shot and swings to the right with defenseman 2.
- Defenseman 1 skates up the ice and drop passes the puck to forward 1.
- Forward 3 keeps at the same speed and in line with forward 1 and also should be available for a pass from forward 1.
- Defenseman 2 cuts to the middle between the center line and the far blue line.
- Forward 1 can pass to either side, pass up the middle, or carry over the blue line.
Save
Save
Learn more about The Hockey Drill Book.
Neutral Zone Puck Exchange
1. Player 1 and player 2 skate toward the center circle, staying on their own sides of the center line.
43 Neutral Zone Puck Exchange
- Player 1 and player 2 skate toward the center circle, staying on their own sides of the center line.
- Player 1 and player 2 exchange the puck, go around the pylon, and shoot at the end they started at.
- The drill is continuous.
Save
Save
Save
Learn more about The Hockey Drill Book.
A Typical Practice
A typical practice should include work on skill development, team play, and conditioning. For younger players (under 10 years old), the team should focus more on the basic skills of skating, passing, shooting, and puck control, with less emphasis on team systems.
A typical practice should include work on skill development, team play, and conditioning. For younger players (under 10 years old), the team should focus more on the basic skills of skating, passing, shooting, and puck control, with less emphasis on team systems. Older players still work on fundamentals but should spend more time on game situations and team play than younger players do. Practices can include the following:
- Individual skills and techniques
- Offensive play
- Defensive play
- Special teams (power play, penalty killing, face-offs)
- Conditioning
- Having fun
Here is an example of the sequence of activities in a typical practice. A variety of drills for each skill can be performed. And, as mentioned before, depending on the amount of time you have and the age group you're coaching, you may not be able to cover everything in a single practice. But remember, each practice should include stretching and one individual and team warm-up drill at the start, and a fun drill or game toward the end. And always make time for your players to cool down.
- Dressing room dynamic stretching and instruction
- Individual warm-up - skating, passing, puck control, and dynamic stretching
- Team warm-up - full ice with shooting
- 1v1
- 2v1
- 2v2
- 3v1
- Breakouts
- Positional skills - forwards, defensemen, goalies
- Scrimmage
- Fun - conditioning relay
- Cool-down - including a group discussion with the coach and static stretching
Designing and Using Effective Drills
Developing and implementing appropriate drills are the keys to effective practices. And because drills are the primary tool a coach has to help players practice and perfect important skills techniques, good drills are paramount. To help athletes improve their individual skills and team play, select the most effective drills and place them in the proper order within the practice plan. Your ability to do this will determine the team's level of success. Following is a common and effective teaching progression to help you choose and then implement drills into your practices. There are drills in this book that address each of the skills and strategies listed. Pick drills that focus on each of the following areas in the order provided. Drills focusing on basic skills and fundamentals should be at the beginning of practice because they are most important. Then progress toward more advanced drills, as illustrated. As previously mentioned, younger players who are just starting out should focus almost entirely on the basics, such as skating, puck control, passing, and shooting. For older, more advanced players, you can incorporate drills that develop offensive and defensive zone play and power play and penalty-killing strategies.
- Skating
- Puck control
- Passing and receiving
- Shooting
- Checking
- Goaltending
- Breakouts
- Regroups
- Offensive zone play
- Defensive zone play
- Power play
- Penalty killing
- Face-offs
Clearly explain or demonstrate the drill you are using to work on a skill. You can demonstrate or give instruction on how to perform drills during the practice before each drill and during skill practice. Some coaches prefer to explain drills before practice begins, especially with older athletes. Keep instructions brief to maximize ice time and activity during practice. To communicate effectively, remember the KISS principle: Keep it simple and specific. After you demonstrate the skill, the athletes should practice it immediately. Athletes can practice the skill alone, in pairs, or in groups, depending on the drill.
Also remember that athletes need to know how they are doing in their efforts to learn skills. Provide specific feedback during and after the practice of a skill. As the athletes practice the skill, you and coaching assistants should circulate among the athletes, giving feedback and correction. Group corrections can be given on common errors. In most cases, feedback should be positive, emphasizing correct movements and helping athletes correct or refine incorrect movements. Athletes learn more quickly in a positive environment.
The drills used for practicing the skills should be challenging and as gamelike as possible. If your team includes players with a large difference in skill levels, you may want to match players of similar skill levels in practice. If the difference in skill level is small, this type of matching is not necessary.
Learn more about The Hockey Drill Book.
Protect the Puck and Shoot for the Goalie
1. The forward protects the puck for 15 seconds and then drives for the net and shoots.
337 Protect the Puck and Four Passes
Protect the Puck
- The forward protects the puck for 15 seconds and then drives for the net and shoots.
- The defensive player shadows the offensive player and then plays 1v1 when the offensive player drives for the net on the coach's command or whistle (zone A).
Four Passes
The forward skates around the face-off circle, then outside the blue line, then outside the center line, and then around the opposite face-off circle inside the blue line. The forward receives a pass each time from the coach and shoots a total of four shots (zone B).
338 Shoot for the Goalie Pad, Rebound
- Forward 1 skates down the boards and shoots at the far pad of the goalie.
- Forward 2 goes for the rebound.
Save
Save
Save
Learn more about The Hockey Drill Book.
Power Play Breakouts and Double Double With a Drop
To begin, the coach shoots the puck into the corner. The five players for the power play team are on the blue line. The five players then break out using one of the following patterns.
411 Power Play Breakouts 5v0, 5v2, 5v3, 5v4
To begin, the coach shoots the puck into the corner. The five players for the power play team are on the blue line. The five players then break out using one of the following patterns. Once they go into the offensive zone, they pass the puck to the defense, make one play, and change. The drill progresses 5v2 (two defensemen only), 5v3 (two defensemen plus one forward), 5v4 (two defensemen plus two forwards), and the breakout is against the penalty killers.
Sequence 1: Double-Swing Breakout
- Forward 1 and defenseman 2 swing to opposite corners.
- Forward 2 skates across the ice at the near blue line.
- Forward 3 skates across at the far blue line.
- Defenseman 1 has the puck behind the net.
Sequence 2: Double Double-Swing Breakout
- Forward 1 and defenseman 2 swing to one corner.
- Forwards 2 and 3 swing to the other corner.
- Defenseman 1 has the puck behind the net.
Sequence 3: Double-Swing (One Side) Breakout
- Defenseman 2 and forward 1 swing to one corner.
- Forward 2 skates across the ice at the near blue line.
- Forward 3 skates across at the far blue line.
- Defenseman 1 stops behind the net with the puck.
Sequence 4: Forwards Cross Double-Swing Breakout
- Forwards 2 and 3 skate back from behind the center line, loop around, and cross.
- Defenseman 2 swings to one corner.
- Forward 1 swings to the opposite corner.
- Defenseman 1 skates behind the net with the puck (without stopping).
Sequence 5: Double-Swing Behind-the-Net Breakout
- Defenseman 1 stops behind the net with the puck.
- Forward 1 swings behind the net, followed by forward 2.
- Defenseman 2 swings to the opposite corner.
- Forward 3 skates across the ice at the center line.
Sequence 6: Swing and Drop
- Forward 1 skates behind the net and gets a puck from defenseman 1.
- Forward 2 stays high and comes across the ice at the far blue line.
- Defenseman 2 and forward 3 skate down the outside. Forward 3 cuts across at the far blue line, and defenseman 2 goes straight down the boards.
- Forward 1 drops the puck back to defenseman 1 and then skates across and down the far side of the rink.
- Defenseman 1 passes to forward 1 to enter the offensive zone. Defenseman 1 can also pass to forward 3, forward 2, or defenseman 2 to enter the zone.
412 Sequence 7 Double Double With a Drop
- Forwards 1 and 2 swing to the left and should be left-handed shots.
- Forward 3 should be a right-handed shot and swings to the right with defenseman 2.
- Defenseman 1 skates up the ice and drop passes the puck to forward 1.
- Forward 3 keeps at the same speed and in line with forward 1 and also should be available for a pass from forward 1.
- Defenseman 2 cuts to the middle between the center line and the far blue line.
- Forward 1 can pass to either side, pass up the middle, or carry over the blue line.
Save
Save
Learn more about The Hockey Drill Book.
Neutral Zone Puck Exchange
1. Player 1 and player 2 skate toward the center circle, staying on their own sides of the center line.
43 Neutral Zone Puck Exchange
- Player 1 and player 2 skate toward the center circle, staying on their own sides of the center line.
- Player 1 and player 2 exchange the puck, go around the pylon, and shoot at the end they started at.
- The drill is continuous.
Save
Save
Save
Learn more about The Hockey Drill Book.
A Typical Practice
A typical practice should include work on skill development, team play, and conditioning. For younger players (under 10 years old), the team should focus more on the basic skills of skating, passing, shooting, and puck control, with less emphasis on team systems.
A typical practice should include work on skill development, team play, and conditioning. For younger players (under 10 years old), the team should focus more on the basic skills of skating, passing, shooting, and puck control, with less emphasis on team systems. Older players still work on fundamentals but should spend more time on game situations and team play than younger players do. Practices can include the following:
- Individual skills and techniques
- Offensive play
- Defensive play
- Special teams (power play, penalty killing, face-offs)
- Conditioning
- Having fun
Here is an example of the sequence of activities in a typical practice. A variety of drills for each skill can be performed. And, as mentioned before, depending on the amount of time you have and the age group you're coaching, you may not be able to cover everything in a single practice. But remember, each practice should include stretching and one individual and team warm-up drill at the start, and a fun drill or game toward the end. And always make time for your players to cool down.
- Dressing room dynamic stretching and instruction
- Individual warm-up - skating, passing, puck control, and dynamic stretching
- Team warm-up - full ice with shooting
- 1v1
- 2v1
- 2v2
- 3v1
- Breakouts
- Positional skills - forwards, defensemen, goalies
- Scrimmage
- Fun - conditioning relay
- Cool-down - including a group discussion with the coach and static stretching
Designing and Using Effective Drills
Developing and implementing appropriate drills are the keys to effective practices. And because drills are the primary tool a coach has to help players practice and perfect important skills techniques, good drills are paramount. To help athletes improve their individual skills and team play, select the most effective drills and place them in the proper order within the practice plan. Your ability to do this will determine the team's level of success. Following is a common and effective teaching progression to help you choose and then implement drills into your practices. There are drills in this book that address each of the skills and strategies listed. Pick drills that focus on each of the following areas in the order provided. Drills focusing on basic skills and fundamentals should be at the beginning of practice because they are most important. Then progress toward more advanced drills, as illustrated. As previously mentioned, younger players who are just starting out should focus almost entirely on the basics, such as skating, puck control, passing, and shooting. For older, more advanced players, you can incorporate drills that develop offensive and defensive zone play and power play and penalty-killing strategies.
- Skating
- Puck control
- Passing and receiving
- Shooting
- Checking
- Goaltending
- Breakouts
- Regroups
- Offensive zone play
- Defensive zone play
- Power play
- Penalty killing
- Face-offs
Clearly explain or demonstrate the drill you are using to work on a skill. You can demonstrate or give instruction on how to perform drills during the practice before each drill and during skill practice. Some coaches prefer to explain drills before practice begins, especially with older athletes. Keep instructions brief to maximize ice time and activity during practice. To communicate effectively, remember the KISS principle: Keep it simple and specific. After you demonstrate the skill, the athletes should practice it immediately. Athletes can practice the skill alone, in pairs, or in groups, depending on the drill.
Also remember that athletes need to know how they are doing in their efforts to learn skills. Provide specific feedback during and after the practice of a skill. As the athletes practice the skill, you and coaching assistants should circulate among the athletes, giving feedback and correction. Group corrections can be given on common errors. In most cases, feedback should be positive, emphasizing correct movements and helping athletes correct or refine incorrect movements. Athletes learn more quickly in a positive environment.
The drills used for practicing the skills should be challenging and as gamelike as possible. If your team includes players with a large difference in skill levels, you may want to match players of similar skill levels in practice. If the difference in skill level is small, this type of matching is not necessary.
Learn more about The Hockey Drill Book.
Protect the Puck and Shoot for the Goalie
1. The forward protects the puck for 15 seconds and then drives for the net and shoots.
337 Protect the Puck and Four Passes
Protect the Puck
- The forward protects the puck for 15 seconds and then drives for the net and shoots.
- The defensive player shadows the offensive player and then plays 1v1 when the offensive player drives for the net on the coach's command or whistle (zone A).
Four Passes
The forward skates around the face-off circle, then outside the blue line, then outside the center line, and then around the opposite face-off circle inside the blue line. The forward receives a pass each time from the coach and shoots a total of four shots (zone B).
338 Shoot for the Goalie Pad, Rebound
- Forward 1 skates down the boards and shoots at the far pad of the goalie.
- Forward 2 goes for the rebound.
Save
Save
Save
Learn more about The Hockey Drill Book.
Power Play Breakouts and Double Double With a Drop
To begin, the coach shoots the puck into the corner. The five players for the power play team are on the blue line. The five players then break out using one of the following patterns.
411 Power Play Breakouts 5v0, 5v2, 5v3, 5v4
To begin, the coach shoots the puck into the corner. The five players for the power play team are on the blue line. The five players then break out using one of the following patterns. Once they go into the offensive zone, they pass the puck to the defense, make one play, and change. The drill progresses 5v2 (two defensemen only), 5v3 (two defensemen plus one forward), 5v4 (two defensemen plus two forwards), and the breakout is against the penalty killers.
Sequence 1: Double-Swing Breakout
- Forward 1 and defenseman 2 swing to opposite corners.
- Forward 2 skates across the ice at the near blue line.
- Forward 3 skates across at the far blue line.
- Defenseman 1 has the puck behind the net.
Sequence 2: Double Double-Swing Breakout
- Forward 1 and defenseman 2 swing to one corner.
- Forwards 2 and 3 swing to the other corner.
- Defenseman 1 has the puck behind the net.
Sequence 3: Double-Swing (One Side) Breakout
- Defenseman 2 and forward 1 swing to one corner.
- Forward 2 skates across the ice at the near blue line.
- Forward 3 skates across at the far blue line.
- Defenseman 1 stops behind the net with the puck.
Sequence 4: Forwards Cross Double-Swing Breakout
- Forwards 2 and 3 skate back from behind the center line, loop around, and cross.
- Defenseman 2 swings to one corner.
- Forward 1 swings to the opposite corner.
- Defenseman 1 skates behind the net with the puck (without stopping).
Sequence 5: Double-Swing Behind-the-Net Breakout
- Defenseman 1 stops behind the net with the puck.
- Forward 1 swings behind the net, followed by forward 2.
- Defenseman 2 swings to the opposite corner.
- Forward 3 skates across the ice at the center line.
Sequence 6: Swing and Drop
- Forward 1 skates behind the net and gets a puck from defenseman 1.
- Forward 2 stays high and comes across the ice at the far blue line.
- Defenseman 2 and forward 3 skate down the outside. Forward 3 cuts across at the far blue line, and defenseman 2 goes straight down the boards.
- Forward 1 drops the puck back to defenseman 1 and then skates across and down the far side of the rink.
- Defenseman 1 passes to forward 1 to enter the offensive zone. Defenseman 1 can also pass to forward 3, forward 2, or defenseman 2 to enter the zone.
412 Sequence 7 Double Double With a Drop
- Forwards 1 and 2 swing to the left and should be left-handed shots.
- Forward 3 should be a right-handed shot and swings to the right with defenseman 2.
- Defenseman 1 skates up the ice and drop passes the puck to forward 1.
- Forward 3 keeps at the same speed and in line with forward 1 and also should be available for a pass from forward 1.
- Defenseman 2 cuts to the middle between the center line and the far blue line.
- Forward 1 can pass to either side, pass up the middle, or carry over the blue line.
Save
Save
Learn more about The Hockey Drill Book.
Neutral Zone Puck Exchange
1. Player 1 and player 2 skate toward the center circle, staying on their own sides of the center line.
43 Neutral Zone Puck Exchange
- Player 1 and player 2 skate toward the center circle, staying on their own sides of the center line.
- Player 1 and player 2 exchange the puck, go around the pylon, and shoot at the end they started at.
- The drill is continuous.
Save
Save
Save
Learn more about The Hockey Drill Book.
A Typical Practice
A typical practice should include work on skill development, team play, and conditioning. For younger players (under 10 years old), the team should focus more on the basic skills of skating, passing, shooting, and puck control, with less emphasis on team systems.
A typical practice should include work on skill development, team play, and conditioning. For younger players (under 10 years old), the team should focus more on the basic skills of skating, passing, shooting, and puck control, with less emphasis on team systems. Older players still work on fundamentals but should spend more time on game situations and team play than younger players do. Practices can include the following:
- Individual skills and techniques
- Offensive play
- Defensive play
- Special teams (power play, penalty killing, face-offs)
- Conditioning
- Having fun
Here is an example of the sequence of activities in a typical practice. A variety of drills for each skill can be performed. And, as mentioned before, depending on the amount of time you have and the age group you're coaching, you may not be able to cover everything in a single practice. But remember, each practice should include stretching and one individual and team warm-up drill at the start, and a fun drill or game toward the end. And always make time for your players to cool down.
- Dressing room dynamic stretching and instruction
- Individual warm-up - skating, passing, puck control, and dynamic stretching
- Team warm-up - full ice with shooting
- 1v1
- 2v1
- 2v2
- 3v1
- Breakouts
- Positional skills - forwards, defensemen, goalies
- Scrimmage
- Fun - conditioning relay
- Cool-down - including a group discussion with the coach and static stretching
Designing and Using Effective Drills
Developing and implementing appropriate drills are the keys to effective practices. And because drills are the primary tool a coach has to help players practice and perfect important skills techniques, good drills are paramount. To help athletes improve their individual skills and team play, select the most effective drills and place them in the proper order within the practice plan. Your ability to do this will determine the team's level of success. Following is a common and effective teaching progression to help you choose and then implement drills into your practices. There are drills in this book that address each of the skills and strategies listed. Pick drills that focus on each of the following areas in the order provided. Drills focusing on basic skills and fundamentals should be at the beginning of practice because they are most important. Then progress toward more advanced drills, as illustrated. As previously mentioned, younger players who are just starting out should focus almost entirely on the basics, such as skating, puck control, passing, and shooting. For older, more advanced players, you can incorporate drills that develop offensive and defensive zone play and power play and penalty-killing strategies.
- Skating
- Puck control
- Passing and receiving
- Shooting
- Checking
- Goaltending
- Breakouts
- Regroups
- Offensive zone play
- Defensive zone play
- Power play
- Penalty killing
- Face-offs
Clearly explain or demonstrate the drill you are using to work on a skill. You can demonstrate or give instruction on how to perform drills during the practice before each drill and during skill practice. Some coaches prefer to explain drills before practice begins, especially with older athletes. Keep instructions brief to maximize ice time and activity during practice. To communicate effectively, remember the KISS principle: Keep it simple and specific. After you demonstrate the skill, the athletes should practice it immediately. Athletes can practice the skill alone, in pairs, or in groups, depending on the drill.
Also remember that athletes need to know how they are doing in their efforts to learn skills. Provide specific feedback during and after the practice of a skill. As the athletes practice the skill, you and coaching assistants should circulate among the athletes, giving feedback and correction. Group corrections can be given on common errors. In most cases, feedback should be positive, emphasizing correct movements and helping athletes correct or refine incorrect movements. Athletes learn more quickly in a positive environment.
The drills used for practicing the skills should be challenging and as gamelike as possible. If your team includes players with a large difference in skill levels, you may want to match players of similar skill levels in practice. If the difference in skill level is small, this type of matching is not necessary.
Learn more about The Hockey Drill Book.
Protect the Puck and Shoot for the Goalie
1. The forward protects the puck for 15 seconds and then drives for the net and shoots.
337 Protect the Puck and Four Passes
Protect the Puck
- The forward protects the puck for 15 seconds and then drives for the net and shoots.
- The defensive player shadows the offensive player and then plays 1v1 when the offensive player drives for the net on the coach's command or whistle (zone A).
Four Passes
The forward skates around the face-off circle, then outside the blue line, then outside the center line, and then around the opposite face-off circle inside the blue line. The forward receives a pass each time from the coach and shoots a total of four shots (zone B).
338 Shoot for the Goalie Pad, Rebound
- Forward 1 skates down the boards and shoots at the far pad of the goalie.
- Forward 2 goes for the rebound.
Save
Save
Save
Learn more about The Hockey Drill Book.
Power Play Breakouts and Double Double With a Drop
To begin, the coach shoots the puck into the corner. The five players for the power play team are on the blue line. The five players then break out using one of the following patterns.
411 Power Play Breakouts 5v0, 5v2, 5v3, 5v4
To begin, the coach shoots the puck into the corner. The five players for the power play team are on the blue line. The five players then break out using one of the following patterns. Once they go into the offensive zone, they pass the puck to the defense, make one play, and change. The drill progresses 5v2 (two defensemen only), 5v3 (two defensemen plus one forward), 5v4 (two defensemen plus two forwards), and the breakout is against the penalty killers.
Sequence 1: Double-Swing Breakout
- Forward 1 and defenseman 2 swing to opposite corners.
- Forward 2 skates across the ice at the near blue line.
- Forward 3 skates across at the far blue line.
- Defenseman 1 has the puck behind the net.
Sequence 2: Double Double-Swing Breakout
- Forward 1 and defenseman 2 swing to one corner.
- Forwards 2 and 3 swing to the other corner.
- Defenseman 1 has the puck behind the net.
Sequence 3: Double-Swing (One Side) Breakout
- Defenseman 2 and forward 1 swing to one corner.
- Forward 2 skates across the ice at the near blue line.
- Forward 3 skates across at the far blue line.
- Defenseman 1 stops behind the net with the puck.
Sequence 4: Forwards Cross Double-Swing Breakout
- Forwards 2 and 3 skate back from behind the center line, loop around, and cross.
- Defenseman 2 swings to one corner.
- Forward 1 swings to the opposite corner.
- Defenseman 1 skates behind the net with the puck (without stopping).
Sequence 5: Double-Swing Behind-the-Net Breakout
- Defenseman 1 stops behind the net with the puck.
- Forward 1 swings behind the net, followed by forward 2.
- Defenseman 2 swings to the opposite corner.
- Forward 3 skates across the ice at the center line.
Sequence 6: Swing and Drop
- Forward 1 skates behind the net and gets a puck from defenseman 1.
- Forward 2 stays high and comes across the ice at the far blue line.
- Defenseman 2 and forward 3 skate down the outside. Forward 3 cuts across at the far blue line, and defenseman 2 goes straight down the boards.
- Forward 1 drops the puck back to defenseman 1 and then skates across and down the far side of the rink.
- Defenseman 1 passes to forward 1 to enter the offensive zone. Defenseman 1 can also pass to forward 3, forward 2, or defenseman 2 to enter the zone.
412 Sequence 7 Double Double With a Drop
- Forwards 1 and 2 swing to the left and should be left-handed shots.
- Forward 3 should be a right-handed shot and swings to the right with defenseman 2.
- Defenseman 1 skates up the ice and drop passes the puck to forward 1.
- Forward 3 keeps at the same speed and in line with forward 1 and also should be available for a pass from forward 1.
- Defenseman 2 cuts to the middle between the center line and the far blue line.
- Forward 1 can pass to either side, pass up the middle, or carry over the blue line.
Save
Save
Learn more about The Hockey Drill Book.
Neutral Zone Puck Exchange
1. Player 1 and player 2 skate toward the center circle, staying on their own sides of the center line.
43 Neutral Zone Puck Exchange
- Player 1 and player 2 skate toward the center circle, staying on their own sides of the center line.
- Player 1 and player 2 exchange the puck, go around the pylon, and shoot at the end they started at.
- The drill is continuous.
Save
Save
Save
Learn more about The Hockey Drill Book.
A Typical Practice
A typical practice should include work on skill development, team play, and conditioning. For younger players (under 10 years old), the team should focus more on the basic skills of skating, passing, shooting, and puck control, with less emphasis on team systems.
A typical practice should include work on skill development, team play, and conditioning. For younger players (under 10 years old), the team should focus more on the basic skills of skating, passing, shooting, and puck control, with less emphasis on team systems. Older players still work on fundamentals but should spend more time on game situations and team play than younger players do. Practices can include the following:
- Individual skills and techniques
- Offensive play
- Defensive play
- Special teams (power play, penalty killing, face-offs)
- Conditioning
- Having fun
Here is an example of the sequence of activities in a typical practice. A variety of drills for each skill can be performed. And, as mentioned before, depending on the amount of time you have and the age group you're coaching, you may not be able to cover everything in a single practice. But remember, each practice should include stretching and one individual and team warm-up drill at the start, and a fun drill or game toward the end. And always make time for your players to cool down.
- Dressing room dynamic stretching and instruction
- Individual warm-up - skating, passing, puck control, and dynamic stretching
- Team warm-up - full ice with shooting
- 1v1
- 2v1
- 2v2
- 3v1
- Breakouts
- Positional skills - forwards, defensemen, goalies
- Scrimmage
- Fun - conditioning relay
- Cool-down - including a group discussion with the coach and static stretching
Designing and Using Effective Drills
Developing and implementing appropriate drills are the keys to effective practices. And because drills are the primary tool a coach has to help players practice and perfect important skills techniques, good drills are paramount. To help athletes improve their individual skills and team play, select the most effective drills and place them in the proper order within the practice plan. Your ability to do this will determine the team's level of success. Following is a common and effective teaching progression to help you choose and then implement drills into your practices. There are drills in this book that address each of the skills and strategies listed. Pick drills that focus on each of the following areas in the order provided. Drills focusing on basic skills and fundamentals should be at the beginning of practice because they are most important. Then progress toward more advanced drills, as illustrated. As previously mentioned, younger players who are just starting out should focus almost entirely on the basics, such as skating, puck control, passing, and shooting. For older, more advanced players, you can incorporate drills that develop offensive and defensive zone play and power play and penalty-killing strategies.
- Skating
- Puck control
- Passing and receiving
- Shooting
- Checking
- Goaltending
- Breakouts
- Regroups
- Offensive zone play
- Defensive zone play
- Power play
- Penalty killing
- Face-offs
Clearly explain or demonstrate the drill you are using to work on a skill. You can demonstrate or give instruction on how to perform drills during the practice before each drill and during skill practice. Some coaches prefer to explain drills before practice begins, especially with older athletes. Keep instructions brief to maximize ice time and activity during practice. To communicate effectively, remember the KISS principle: Keep it simple and specific. After you demonstrate the skill, the athletes should practice it immediately. Athletes can practice the skill alone, in pairs, or in groups, depending on the drill.
Also remember that athletes need to know how they are doing in their efforts to learn skills. Provide specific feedback during and after the practice of a skill. As the athletes practice the skill, you and coaching assistants should circulate among the athletes, giving feedback and correction. Group corrections can be given on common errors. In most cases, feedback should be positive, emphasizing correct movements and helping athletes correct or refine incorrect movements. Athletes learn more quickly in a positive environment.
The drills used for practicing the skills should be challenging and as gamelike as possible. If your team includes players with a large difference in skill levels, you may want to match players of similar skill levels in practice. If the difference in skill level is small, this type of matching is not necessary.
Learn more about The Hockey Drill Book.
Protect the Puck and Shoot for the Goalie
1. The forward protects the puck for 15 seconds and then drives for the net and shoots.
337 Protect the Puck and Four Passes
Protect the Puck
- The forward protects the puck for 15 seconds and then drives for the net and shoots.
- The defensive player shadows the offensive player and then plays 1v1 when the offensive player drives for the net on the coach's command or whistle (zone A).
Four Passes
The forward skates around the face-off circle, then outside the blue line, then outside the center line, and then around the opposite face-off circle inside the blue line. The forward receives a pass each time from the coach and shoots a total of four shots (zone B).
338 Shoot for the Goalie Pad, Rebound
- Forward 1 skates down the boards and shoots at the far pad of the goalie.
- Forward 2 goes for the rebound.
Save
Save
Save
Learn more about The Hockey Drill Book.
Power Play Breakouts and Double Double With a Drop
To begin, the coach shoots the puck into the corner. The five players for the power play team are on the blue line. The five players then break out using one of the following patterns.
411 Power Play Breakouts 5v0, 5v2, 5v3, 5v4
To begin, the coach shoots the puck into the corner. The five players for the power play team are on the blue line. The five players then break out using one of the following patterns. Once they go into the offensive zone, they pass the puck to the defense, make one play, and change. The drill progresses 5v2 (two defensemen only), 5v3 (two defensemen plus one forward), 5v4 (two defensemen plus two forwards), and the breakout is against the penalty killers.
Sequence 1: Double-Swing Breakout
- Forward 1 and defenseman 2 swing to opposite corners.
- Forward 2 skates across the ice at the near blue line.
- Forward 3 skates across at the far blue line.
- Defenseman 1 has the puck behind the net.
Sequence 2: Double Double-Swing Breakout
- Forward 1 and defenseman 2 swing to one corner.
- Forwards 2 and 3 swing to the other corner.
- Defenseman 1 has the puck behind the net.
Sequence 3: Double-Swing (One Side) Breakout
- Defenseman 2 and forward 1 swing to one corner.
- Forward 2 skates across the ice at the near blue line.
- Forward 3 skates across at the far blue line.
- Defenseman 1 stops behind the net with the puck.
Sequence 4: Forwards Cross Double-Swing Breakout
- Forwards 2 and 3 skate back from behind the center line, loop around, and cross.
- Defenseman 2 swings to one corner.
- Forward 1 swings to the opposite corner.
- Defenseman 1 skates behind the net with the puck (without stopping).
Sequence 5: Double-Swing Behind-the-Net Breakout
- Defenseman 1 stops behind the net with the puck.
- Forward 1 swings behind the net, followed by forward 2.
- Defenseman 2 swings to the opposite corner.
- Forward 3 skates across the ice at the center line.
Sequence 6: Swing and Drop
- Forward 1 skates behind the net and gets a puck from defenseman 1.
- Forward 2 stays high and comes across the ice at the far blue line.
- Defenseman 2 and forward 3 skate down the outside. Forward 3 cuts across at the far blue line, and defenseman 2 goes straight down the boards.
- Forward 1 drops the puck back to defenseman 1 and then skates across and down the far side of the rink.
- Defenseman 1 passes to forward 1 to enter the offensive zone. Defenseman 1 can also pass to forward 3, forward 2, or defenseman 2 to enter the zone.
412 Sequence 7 Double Double With a Drop
- Forwards 1 and 2 swing to the left and should be left-handed shots.
- Forward 3 should be a right-handed shot and swings to the right with defenseman 2.
- Defenseman 1 skates up the ice and drop passes the puck to forward 1.
- Forward 3 keeps at the same speed and in line with forward 1 and also should be available for a pass from forward 1.
- Defenseman 2 cuts to the middle between the center line and the far blue line.
- Forward 1 can pass to either side, pass up the middle, or carry over the blue line.
Save
Save
Learn more about The Hockey Drill Book.
Neutral Zone Puck Exchange
1. Player 1 and player 2 skate toward the center circle, staying on their own sides of the center line.
43 Neutral Zone Puck Exchange
- Player 1 and player 2 skate toward the center circle, staying on their own sides of the center line.
- Player 1 and player 2 exchange the puck, go around the pylon, and shoot at the end they started at.
- The drill is continuous.
Save
Save
Save
Learn more about The Hockey Drill Book.
A Typical Practice
A typical practice should include work on skill development, team play, and conditioning. For younger players (under 10 years old), the team should focus more on the basic skills of skating, passing, shooting, and puck control, with less emphasis on team systems.
A typical practice should include work on skill development, team play, and conditioning. For younger players (under 10 years old), the team should focus more on the basic skills of skating, passing, shooting, and puck control, with less emphasis on team systems. Older players still work on fundamentals but should spend more time on game situations and team play than younger players do. Practices can include the following:
- Individual skills and techniques
- Offensive play
- Defensive play
- Special teams (power play, penalty killing, face-offs)
- Conditioning
- Having fun
Here is an example of the sequence of activities in a typical practice. A variety of drills for each skill can be performed. And, as mentioned before, depending on the amount of time you have and the age group you're coaching, you may not be able to cover everything in a single practice. But remember, each practice should include stretching and one individual and team warm-up drill at the start, and a fun drill or game toward the end. And always make time for your players to cool down.
- Dressing room dynamic stretching and instruction
- Individual warm-up - skating, passing, puck control, and dynamic stretching
- Team warm-up - full ice with shooting
- 1v1
- 2v1
- 2v2
- 3v1
- Breakouts
- Positional skills - forwards, defensemen, goalies
- Scrimmage
- Fun - conditioning relay
- Cool-down - including a group discussion with the coach and static stretching
Designing and Using Effective Drills
Developing and implementing appropriate drills are the keys to effective practices. And because drills are the primary tool a coach has to help players practice and perfect important skills techniques, good drills are paramount. To help athletes improve their individual skills and team play, select the most effective drills and place them in the proper order within the practice plan. Your ability to do this will determine the team's level of success. Following is a common and effective teaching progression to help you choose and then implement drills into your practices. There are drills in this book that address each of the skills and strategies listed. Pick drills that focus on each of the following areas in the order provided. Drills focusing on basic skills and fundamentals should be at the beginning of practice because they are most important. Then progress toward more advanced drills, as illustrated. As previously mentioned, younger players who are just starting out should focus almost entirely on the basics, such as skating, puck control, passing, and shooting. For older, more advanced players, you can incorporate drills that develop offensive and defensive zone play and power play and penalty-killing strategies.
- Skating
- Puck control
- Passing and receiving
- Shooting
- Checking
- Goaltending
- Breakouts
- Regroups
- Offensive zone play
- Defensive zone play
- Power play
- Penalty killing
- Face-offs
Clearly explain or demonstrate the drill you are using to work on a skill. You can demonstrate or give instruction on how to perform drills during the practice before each drill and during skill practice. Some coaches prefer to explain drills before practice begins, especially with older athletes. Keep instructions brief to maximize ice time and activity during practice. To communicate effectively, remember the KISS principle: Keep it simple and specific. After you demonstrate the skill, the athletes should practice it immediately. Athletes can practice the skill alone, in pairs, or in groups, depending on the drill.
Also remember that athletes need to know how they are doing in their efforts to learn skills. Provide specific feedback during and after the practice of a skill. As the athletes practice the skill, you and coaching assistants should circulate among the athletes, giving feedback and correction. Group corrections can be given on common errors. In most cases, feedback should be positive, emphasizing correct movements and helping athletes correct or refine incorrect movements. Athletes learn more quickly in a positive environment.
The drills used for practicing the skills should be challenging and as gamelike as possible. If your team includes players with a large difference in skill levels, you may want to match players of similar skill levels in practice. If the difference in skill level is small, this type of matching is not necessary.
Learn more about The Hockey Drill Book.
Protect the Puck and Shoot for the Goalie
1. The forward protects the puck for 15 seconds and then drives for the net and shoots.
337 Protect the Puck and Four Passes
Protect the Puck
- The forward protects the puck for 15 seconds and then drives for the net and shoots.
- The defensive player shadows the offensive player and then plays 1v1 when the offensive player drives for the net on the coach's command or whistle (zone A).
Four Passes
The forward skates around the face-off circle, then outside the blue line, then outside the center line, and then around the opposite face-off circle inside the blue line. The forward receives a pass each time from the coach and shoots a total of four shots (zone B).
338 Shoot for the Goalie Pad, Rebound
- Forward 1 skates down the boards and shoots at the far pad of the goalie.
- Forward 2 goes for the rebound.
Save
Save
Save
Learn more about The Hockey Drill Book.
Power Play Breakouts and Double Double With a Drop
To begin, the coach shoots the puck into the corner. The five players for the power play team are on the blue line. The five players then break out using one of the following patterns.
411 Power Play Breakouts 5v0, 5v2, 5v3, 5v4
To begin, the coach shoots the puck into the corner. The five players for the power play team are on the blue line. The five players then break out using one of the following patterns. Once they go into the offensive zone, they pass the puck to the defense, make one play, and change. The drill progresses 5v2 (two defensemen only), 5v3 (two defensemen plus one forward), 5v4 (two defensemen plus two forwards), and the breakout is against the penalty killers.
Sequence 1: Double-Swing Breakout
- Forward 1 and defenseman 2 swing to opposite corners.
- Forward 2 skates across the ice at the near blue line.
- Forward 3 skates across at the far blue line.
- Defenseman 1 has the puck behind the net.
Sequence 2: Double Double-Swing Breakout
- Forward 1 and defenseman 2 swing to one corner.
- Forwards 2 and 3 swing to the other corner.
- Defenseman 1 has the puck behind the net.
Sequence 3: Double-Swing (One Side) Breakout
- Defenseman 2 and forward 1 swing to one corner.
- Forward 2 skates across the ice at the near blue line.
- Forward 3 skates across at the far blue line.
- Defenseman 1 stops behind the net with the puck.
Sequence 4: Forwards Cross Double-Swing Breakout
- Forwards 2 and 3 skate back from behind the center line, loop around, and cross.
- Defenseman 2 swings to one corner.
- Forward 1 swings to the opposite corner.
- Defenseman 1 skates behind the net with the puck (without stopping).
Sequence 5: Double-Swing Behind-the-Net Breakout
- Defenseman 1 stops behind the net with the puck.
- Forward 1 swings behind the net, followed by forward 2.
- Defenseman 2 swings to the opposite corner.
- Forward 3 skates across the ice at the center line.
Sequence 6: Swing and Drop
- Forward 1 skates behind the net and gets a puck from defenseman 1.
- Forward 2 stays high and comes across the ice at the far blue line.
- Defenseman 2 and forward 3 skate down the outside. Forward 3 cuts across at the far blue line, and defenseman 2 goes straight down the boards.
- Forward 1 drops the puck back to defenseman 1 and then skates across and down the far side of the rink.
- Defenseman 1 passes to forward 1 to enter the offensive zone. Defenseman 1 can also pass to forward 3, forward 2, or defenseman 2 to enter the zone.
412 Sequence 7 Double Double With a Drop
- Forwards 1 and 2 swing to the left and should be left-handed shots.
- Forward 3 should be a right-handed shot and swings to the right with defenseman 2.
- Defenseman 1 skates up the ice and drop passes the puck to forward 1.
- Forward 3 keeps at the same speed and in line with forward 1 and also should be available for a pass from forward 1.
- Defenseman 2 cuts to the middle between the center line and the far blue line.
- Forward 1 can pass to either side, pass up the middle, or carry over the blue line.
Save
Save
Learn more about The Hockey Drill Book.
Neutral Zone Puck Exchange
1. Player 1 and player 2 skate toward the center circle, staying on their own sides of the center line.
43 Neutral Zone Puck Exchange
- Player 1 and player 2 skate toward the center circle, staying on their own sides of the center line.
- Player 1 and player 2 exchange the puck, go around the pylon, and shoot at the end they started at.
- The drill is continuous.
Save
Save
Save
Learn more about The Hockey Drill Book.
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