The D Initiate drill from Cail MacLean helps teams practice using their defenders to pushes the transition, line rushes, and getting the D involved in the rush.
Setup
- Forwards on all four blue lines.
- Defenders line up on opposite sides in two of the forward lines.
- The lines without the defenders have pucks.
- On the whistle, a forward (F1) skates with the puck, and passes to the defenseman across from them, who quickly looks cross ice to pass to the second forward (F2) who is breaking up ice. The forward works to get middle ice in the zone entry, and leaves the puck to F1 who comes across the ice to support them. F1 takes the puck wide and looks to pass the puck cross ice to the defenseman who joined the rush.
- The defenseman takes a quick shot on net and the forwards look for rebounds.
- Rotate sides after each rep.
Coaching Points
- All players should have their sticks on the ice and be ready to accept a pass.
- The defender should work hard to push the pace in this drill and "initiate" the rush.
- Forwards should work to gain middle ice in the zone entry.
- The defender should take a quick shot after they receive the puck in the zone entry.
Variations
- Can have the defender practice an escape before passing the puck up ice.
- Can have a coach add light pressure to the defender to make sure they keep their eyes up when making a play.
