Defensive Transition Passing

By: Battery Hockey Academy

Former NHLer, Jared Boll, demonstrates the Defensive Transition Passing Progression with the Battery Hockey Academy. This progression is a great warm-up drill and allows defenceman (and forwards) to dial in muscle memory for skating backward with the puck, performing escapes and transitioning with the puck. This series can be set up in very tight areas (the size of a circle, 1/6 ice, 1/4 ice, etc) or can be set up in larger half-ice setups.

Setup:

• Progression # 1: Backward skating passing transition. A great warm-up to get the hands and feet going while skating backward.
• Progression # 2: Escape passing transition. A series that helps players work on escaping while they are skating backward. 
• Progression # 3: Head up ice transition. Helps players practice transitioning up ice while facing the puck.

Coaching Points:

• Practice keeping your head up.
• Provide the passer a good target. Let them know where you want the puck.
• Face the puck.

Variations:

• Can be set up in very tight areas (the size of a circle, 1/6 ice, 1/4 ice, etc) or can be set up in larger half-ice setups.
• The static passing player can be moving around so the defenseman has to hit a moving target. 
• You can add various obstacles or practice different escapes / fakes.