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20211125
Thursday, November 25th, 2021
Four Lines Flow #1
Details:
This is the first drill in a series of flow passing drills. It is a good drill for the start of practice as it gradually adds complexity, number of passes, and skating requirements. Each drill requires the same formation in with a line placed at each one of the neutral zone face off dots.
On the whistle opposite lines will go at the same time as shown in the diagram. The first pass is made to the line directly in front of the player. Player 2 receives the pass and passes it right back to Player 1. Player 1 then attacks the zone for a long shot on net. Player 2 then passes to the next player in the line from which Player 1 just came from and repeats the drill.
As players attack the zone you can emphasize different types of shots, skills, or shooting angles for the goalies.
Four Lines Flow #3
Details:
The third drill in the series starts from the same formation. Players from opposite lines go at the same time and make a pass to the line directly in front of them. Then they skate around the center circle to receive a pass back before attacking the zone. In the diagram above P2 passes the puck to P3, then P3 passes back to P2. P2 then passes to P1 as they turn up ice around the center circle.
Transition Series #1
Details:
This drill starts with the defense using an explosive start backward and calling for a puck from the coach. At the same time the Forwards skate to the wall and provide an outlet for the Defense. The defense should handle the puck as little as possible and mkae a good pass to the forward on the wall. Forwards should get facing up ice as quickly as possible and move their feet when they receive the puck. The forwards then go down and take a shot on net. After the shot the forwards should go to the high slot and then hunt the rebound as the next forward takes a shot. The defense, after making the pass, skate hard back up to the blue line, transition backwards, and call for another puck. Once the pass is made a new forward steps out to the other side for an outlet pass from the defense. The defense will do this four times and then sub out with another defense.If you don't have enough forwards you can stop the drilll every four reps.
Point to Half Wall 2 vs 1
Details:
The Point to Half Wall is an excellent small area game that helps players practice a 2 vs 1 in a small space along the boards. The game also reinforces important skills like keeping your head up, moving to open spaces, protecting the puck and communication.
The goal of the game is for the offense is to connect on 4 consecutive passes in a row. If they do so, they win and are allowed to shoot on net. If the defense takes the puck away, or the puck goes out of bounds 2 times during the game the defense wins and is awarded a shot on net.
Setup
- Playing Area: Use 4 cones or tires that create a triangle from the half wall to the middle of the blue line.
- Goalie Setup: This can be set up as a station with a goalie, or without. If you use a goalie it can be placed in the crease or the net can be moved so the drill is a station.
- Players: Alternate players. It is beneficial for players to get reps on both offense and defense sides.
- Passes: You can require 4 (or a different amount) of consecutive passes to win.
- Defense: If the defense is taking the puck away too much, you can tell the defense to flip their stick over.
- Winner: The winning side gets a shot on net. Other winning options are:
- If the offense wins:
- The last person with the puck gets a shot on net.
- Both players are given a puck and can shoot on different goalies.
- The game moves to a 2 vs 1 in front of the net and offense is allowed one shot if they can get it off.
- If the defense wins:
- They get a shot on net.
- The game moves to a 1 on 1 in front of the net and the defense is allowed one shot if they can get it off. The losing offense team needs to communicate with each other as to who is going to go after the defense.
- If the offense wins:
Coaching Points
- Use the boards! They are your friend!
- If used properly, the boards can be used as an extra player out there and are helpful for bank passes and puck protection.
- Offensive players need to protect the puck until they can make a play and then expose the puck to make a pass.
- Offensive players have to move without the puck. Think "Give & Go!"
- Defensive players are most successful with active sticks and stop and starts. There are no short cuts!
Progressions
- Have one of the offensive players be a "Point Player" who has to stay up around the blueline.
- This progression can be great for defenceman working on their puckhandling at the point & forwards becoming outlet passes.
- Create a smaller "playing area" to make it tougher on the offense.
- Play the Corner to Half Wall 2 vs 1.
Panda 2 on 1 with Backcheck
Details:
This is a 2 on 1 drill submitted by one of the Ice Hockey Systems members. This is a great drill to keep in mind when you only have one goalie at practice. It set up nicely to teach the players how communicate with the defense or read the play to backcheck to the open player.
2 on 1; 2 on 1 With Backcheck:
- D1 skates backward, turns and picks up a puck.
- At same time, X1 and X2 skate swing as shown.
- D1 skates behind net and passes to X1 or X2 who proceed 2 on 1 on D2.
- Switch sides half-way through.
Variation - (2 on 1 backchecker):
- X3 skates at same time behind net, light forecheck pressure and backchecks picking up either
X1 or X2.
- encourage D1 to use back of net for puck protection.
Key points:
- Heads up tape to tape, crisp passes.
- Defensive communication between D2 & X3.
- Emphasize X1 & X2 read and react to forecheck time and space from X3 & D2.
In Zone Special Teams Scimmage
Details:
This is a great way to work on special teams. The nice thing about this drill is that it requires a lot of players. Many times when practicing special teams, there are lots of players watching from the bench. Split up your team into two teams. Each team has a power play unit and penalty kill unit on the ice at the same time. In this diagram the green power play unit is in one end going against the blue penalty kill unit. In the other end you have the blue power play unti against the green penalty kill unit. One puck is in play at a time and it can start with the power play unit on either side. So lets say the green team starts with the puck. The green power play goes against the blue penaly kill until the blue penalty killers get the puck and send it the length of the ice to the blue power play unit. The blue power play unit then plays against the green penalty kill unit until the green penalty killers can ice it back down to their power play.
This drill can also be a great way to scrimmage another team in special teams or if you have to share the ice with another team.
