Defend the Bucket

By: Mark Zarbo Hockey

Drill Setup:

• Bucket is in the middle of the circle.
• Bucket represented by the square.
• Players do not have sticks.
• The offensive player (O) starts outside the circle with a puck or some sor tof object in their hand.
• The defensive player (X) starts inside the circle.
• When instructed the offensive player skates around the circle (this avoids the offensive player skating right at the defender). The defender is to shadow and keep the offensive player away from the bucket.
• The offensive player is trying to get around the defender and to the bucket to put their object in the bucket. If able to do so they win a point.
• If the defender is able to defend the bucket for 10 seconds they win a point. The offensive player is not allowed to "bull" over the defender.
• The offensive player can use turns, deceptive footwork and net drive type skills to get to the bucket.
• Remind players this is hockey and NOT football!

Drill Purpose:

• This is meant to be a fun way to work on body contact and defensive footwork.
• It is meant to stress the players ability to have good defensive footwork and positioning and be physical at the right time.
• Outside the physical skills the drill is also meant to start to prove to the players that defense is 90%footwork, and good positioning/angles in 1 v 1 situations.
• This drill can be very difficult and will really highlight bad habits. Due to the small area nature of the drill if the defender makes a mistake they will have difficulty making up for that mistake and bringing that mistake to light (learn from).
• This drill is also meant to be an analogy for players in later drills. The bucket represents the net. Defend the bucket.

Common Mistakes:

• There are many mistakes players make in this drill.
  • Again it is a difficult drill that highlights/amplifies all the players little mistakes made. Players who are good at this drill have really good details.
  • Mistakes include:
    • 1) Being overaggressive
    • 2) Crossing feet when changing direction
    • 3) Turning their back to offensive player
    • 4) Not being ready for offensive player to change direction or throw a fake (anticipate and know offensive players options!)
    • 5) Backing up toward bucket and not being aggressive enough to maintain gap and keep player away from bucket.

Progression

• After players get comfortable with this drill, and footwork, coaches can progress by adding a net and a goalie with the 1 v 1 to 2 v 2 (Stick vs No Stick) Drill

This drill is part of the Body Contact & Checking Course from Mark Zarbo Hockey.