This video focuses on practicing picking up rimmed pucks with back pressure, emphasizing decision-making, body positioning, and quick reactions based on the defender’s pressure.
Setup
- Coach (or player) in the corner with pucks.
- Two lines of players at the blueline.
- On the whistle, the coach rims the puck along the boards and player 1 works to collect it and get it off of the wall while protecting the puck, working to attack the net and get a shot on goal.
- Player 2 defends against player one, giving soft pressure at first and then ramping up the pressure as the reps get cleaner and cleaner.
Coaching Points
- Look early: Always take a peek before handling the puck to assess options and anticipate pressure.
- Maintain body positioning: Position yourself relative to the defender to ensure you have control and the ability to make a quick first touch.
- Read pressure: Identify the defender’s stick and body positioning to decide whether to cut back or continue with the play.
- Create separation with speed: Maintain speed to increase the ability to separate from the defender and make the next play.
- Hands off the body: Keep hands away from the body to prevent being jammed and allow for better puck control.
Variations
- Can have the person in the corner rimming the pucks be a player or coach.
- Can send in a second forward so that it becomes a 2 v 1 and player 1 works to collect the puck and then pass to their teammate.
- Can pick up picking up rims with front pressure.
