End of the Year Post

As 2010 closes, I thought it was important to post a recap of what this site has become.  Back on July 26th, I posted my first thoughts about this site and what my intentions were.  I wanted to provide a place for Coaches of Inline Hockey to find easy to use drills and provide some of their own.  In all honesty, I never thought it would have the success it has.  There are currently 58 drills and articles on the site.  Many have been provided by you, the reader.  In just 5 months, I've experienced over 3,240 page views,...

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Wing Pass 2-0

Drill:1. Player 1 starts skating and breaks up rink2. Player 2 skates and then makes the long across rink pass to open things up3. Player 1 carries the puck in toward the net while Player 2 goes for the net looking for pass/reboundFocus:1. Passing is key here to open up the rink2. Player 1 should focus on the shot or looking to get the pass back to Player 2Notes:Add a coach or Defensive player in here after a few rounds to make them work against...

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Half-rink Back-checking

Drill:1. Player 1 starts with the puck and skates up around the closest cone2. Player 2 has to skate around the top cone and chase down the player with the puckFocus:1. Player with the puck should focus on speed, stickhandling and protecting the puck2. Backchecking player should focus on getting their stick under the other players stick or creating a disruptionNotes:This is a great drill for a competition during practice. Gives the kids something...

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Goalie Warm-up

Drill:1. Line players in front of goalie in semi-circle2. Alternate shots on goal3. After everyone shoots, rotate players down the lineFocus:1. Shooter – Pick a spot and shoot2. Goalie – Work angles3. Goalie – Quick recovery for next shotNotes:This is intense for the Goalies as they should be up and down, sliding left to right.You can fire down the line or skip every other one or any variation.Related Drills:3 Shot Drill Variation3 Shot Dr...

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Why Dumping the Puck is SO Important

If you've ever watched Hockey at any level, you will see players get to the center rink, dump the puck to the corner and chase it down.  Did you ever ask yourself, 'Why?'Or more importantly, 'Did I ever teach my players why?'If you haven't, you really should think about it.  It's one of the most important plays in hockey. If you don't teach your players how to do it properly, it WILL cost you goals and possibly the game.  Think about it.  When do you dump the puck?When you want a line change - If you don't get the puck deep...

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Down-Low Give and Go

Drill:1. Player 1 (O1) starts on one side with the puck2. They make a quick pass below the goal line and skate3. Coach (X1 & 2) below the line returns the puck to Player 14. Shoots on net and continues across5. Player 1 stops at far wall and picks up a puck repeating process across.Focus:1. Quick passes back and forth2. Pass the puck low and skate toward the net looking for a return pass3. Key for downlow player is a good quick pass back to the...

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O-Zone Decoy

Drill:1. Defenseman makes a pass to Center in neutral zone. Both Defensemen setup in the zone for the offensive rush. Their job is to breakup the play and clear the zone.2. Once Center has puck, C,LW & RW start to enter the zone.3. Center makes the first pass to either Winger, then the Center bursts directly to the front of the net.4. The Winger that received the pass should skate further into the zone on his side and 1.) curl up at the middle...

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Pointman Movement

Drill:1. Have Defensemen line up at the Blueline. Offensemen line up in corner with Pucks2. OFF passes to DEF3. DEF passes back to OFF4. OFF carries puck behind the net. DEF shifts to the high middle slot 5. OFF passes to DEF and gets in front of net6. DEF takes shot from high slot7. OFF looks for tip-in/reboundFocus:1. Active passing with DEF in the high zone2. Puck movement3. Hard, outside shots4. Presence in front of the net5. Tip-ins/rebound...

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3 on 2 Breakout

Drill:1. Player 1 skates behind the net and picks up a puck 2. Once Player 1 makes a decision of which way to go, player 2 and 3 move into position3. D1 and 2 will start skating backward once Player 1 picks up the puck4. O players focus on moving the puck down the rink5. Play until goal, puck frozen or D clears the puckFocus:1. Setting up a play out of their own end2. Player position – If Player 1 goes to the right, then Player on far boards moves...

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Shoot and Break

Drill:1. Player 1 will skate around the circle and then look for a pass from Player 2 2. After the shot, Player one breaks up the rink looking for a pass from Player 33. Player 1 picks up the pass and takes it on a breakaway4. Next player starts after first player receives long passFocus:1. Good passes, both the short quick pass and then the long lead pass2. Player breaking up rink must skate with head turned looking for a passNotes:Have kids rotate...

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Stickhandle and Decide

Drill:1. Have coaches stand between the circles 2. Player starts in the middle and skates thru the cones with a puck3. Coach will move stick to one side and the player must adjust and go around the other wayFocus:1. Head up skating to see which side the player should go to2. Stickhandling is a big focus hereNotes:Can be done with or without a goalie. Focus is really on stickhandling and having their head up to make the right decisi...

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3 Shot Drill

Drill:1. Have coaches with pucks on either side of the net2. Player starts in the middle and skates in and shoots (wrist or slapshot) from between circles 3. They they take a pass from one side of the net and then the otherFocus:1. These are quick shots to make the goalie work on movement up and down and left and right2. Goalie also needs to focus on pucks coming from behind the net3. O player should focus on quick release. If the puck comes on...

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4 Corners – D vs. O

Drill:1. Place O in each corner with a puck2. D starts in front of net and skates toward one of the O3. When he stops and transitions, the O drives the net and they play 1 on 1 until a score, puck freeze or D clears the puck4. D then picks another O and repeats until all 4 O have playedFocus:1. 1 on 1 work both for O and D2. Backward skating and Defensive play3. Stickwork and beating D Notes:This drill is good Defensive work and will help them develop...

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Tight turns out of the corner

Drill:1. Line players in 2 lines2. Coach throws a puck to the corner and player on that side chase the puck3. Make a quick/tight turn out of the corner and back to the net looking for a shot/pass4. After player gets rid of puck, they go to the front of the net looking for a pass/rebound from next playerFocus:1. Quick turns back to the net2. Look for shot (if goalie is not hugging post) or pass to guy in frontNotes:Thanks to Coach Dan DeDionisio for...

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Breakaway to 2-1 Drill

Drill:1. Start off as a simple breakaway drill with one Offensive player2. Next, add a Defensive player about 4-5 steps behind the shooter3. Last, add in a trailing Offensive player crashing the net looking for rebounds4. If no goal scored or save made, play 2-1 until a goal, puck is frozen or cleared by DFocus:1. Player with the puck should focus on good stick work to beat the goalie and protect the puck from the D2. Adding the D will focus on their...

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Side of the Net Tip-ins

Drill:1. Position 1 player to each side of the net2. Coach stands between the circles with a pile of pucks and passes to either side of the net3. Players work on redirecting the puck into the goal4. Goalie must react to the puckFocus:1. Good position beside the net2. Players must be leaning hard on stick and ‘pushing’ it toward the net3. Reinforce this is not a shot but a redirect/push of the puck4. Goalie must work on side to side movement5. If...

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1 Timer-Slapshot drill

Drill:1. Position 2 players at a comfortable distance, each with a pile of pucks2. Player 1 passes to Player 2 who takes a 1 timer3. Player 2 now passes to Player 1 who takes a 1 timer4. This is a fast paced drill. Pass-shoot, pass-shoot, etc.Focus:1. Good solid passes to the players shot area2. Focus by the shooter to take the 1 timer3. Quick puck movement4. Goalie movement side to side as this should be a fast paced drill.Notes:This drill is great...

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Pass it low and go

Drill:1. Player 1 starts backward skating to blue line with puck2. Stops at cone and passes to Player 2 in line3. Player 1 crashes the net looking for a return pass from Player 24. Player 2 starts their backward skating after they make the passFocus:1. Skating backward while carrying the puck2. Good hard passes to the corner3. Crashing the net looking for a pass, deflection or tipNotes:Run from each side to keep the drill going quic...

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3-0 Pass, Shoot and Crash Game

Drill:1. This is a battle between the 2 teams2. Players 1-3 will be skaters, Player 4 is the passer3. Player 1 will skate past closest cone and look for pass. Shoot and then crash net4. Player 2 will then skate past middle cone and look for pass. Shoot and then crash net5. Player 3 will follow-up by skating past furthest cone and shoot.Game Rules:1. Any shot that goes in is a point for the team2. Players in front may tip/deflect the shot3. Players...

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1 on 1 Stick Handling Battle

Drill:1. Place puck in middle of the circle, Players start on opposite side of the circle2. On whistle, players race to puck3. First player to puck must try to keep possession4. 2nd player must work to get possession of the puck5. Players battle until one keeps puck for a 10 countFocus:1. Players must stay within the circle2. Player with puck needs to focus on stick work and keeping the puck3. Player without puck must work on defensive skills to...

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Drop and Go

Drill:1. Players work in groups of 22. Player 1 skates down the wall to the goal line and drops the puck to player 2 who is trailing him3. Player 1 goes to the Net and looks for a pass, deflection or rebound4. Player 1 then skates up around the opposite circle to the pucks5. Player 2 now gets to the front of the net looking for a pass, deflection or rebound from Player 1Focus:1. Working together as line mates2. Good passing/shooting3. Deflections...

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Dump and Chase

Drill:1. Coach stands in front of player with the puck2. Have 3 lines of Players. 2 O and 1 D3. Player with puck needs to decide what corner to get the puck to based on where the coach is standing4. All players must then chase the puck and get into positionFocus:1. Player with the puck needs to skate with head up and make good decisions as to where to go with the puck2. Other players must decide to either chase the puck or get into correct position3....

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Defensive Help

Drill1. Forward starts at blue line, builds speed, picks up puck at far blue line and carries it into the zone with speed. Can also start at far end if using the whole deck.2. Defense converge to stop the puck carrier.3. 1st defender (player closet to puckcarrier) stops the forward (plays the man) and tries to force him into the HELP D while tying him up.4. 2nd defender (HELP D) prevents F escape and steals the puck.Keys:-Forward must enter...

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Defense Reaction

Drill1. Forward starts at blue line, builds speed, picks up puck at far blue line and carries it into the zone with speed along the wing. Can also start at far end if using the whole deck.2. Defense read the play to stop the puck carrier.3. 1st defender (player closest to F) moves out to take on the forward.4. 2nd defender (Read D) reads the play and reacts to F’s move. If inside, challenge and steal, if outside, move to front of net to support.Keys:-Forward...

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Pass, Sk8 and Go

Drill:1. Line 2 players up at the blue line on each dot2. Player 1 makes a long pass out to the blue line and skates an 8 around the 2 players3. The 2 players at the blue line each pass back and forth 4. Pass is then made into player 1 breaking down the middleFocus:1. Hard Pass out to the point2. Point players work on moving the puck laterally across the ice (as Defenseman should be able to do)3. Player 1 then looks for a return pass as they are...

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Start Stop Races

Drill:1. Split players into 2 even teams2. On whistle, first player picks up a puck and skates to first cone.3. Picks up the puck on the cone and sets the puck they were carrying on the cone 4. This continues thru each cone5. Next player starts when first player stops at last cone and sets the puck downFocus:1. Hard stops 2. Direction change3. Quick startsNotes:My players are over skating plays and I need to teach them to stop quickly and change...

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Pass and Crash

Drill:1. Player 1 starts backward skating to blue line with puck2. Stops at cone and passes to next player in line3. Player 1 crashes the net looking for a pass from behind the net4. Player 2 starts their backward skating once they receive the passFocus:1. Skating backward while carrying the puck2. Good hard passes to the corner3. Crashing the net looking for a pass, deflection or tipNotes:Replace the coach with a player to make the passes from behind...

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Backward to Forward Transitions

Drill:1. Players start facing the wall and backward skate to the top of circle2. Transition to forward to the bottom of the circle3. Repeat at each circle, always facing the same wall4. Mid circle face other direction and complete circles facing other wallFocus:1. Transitioning between forward and backward going both direction2. Focusing on one wall will make them be able to transition both ways.Notes:This can be done half rink with full skating...

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Skate and Tip

Drill:1. Players start at blue line and skate toward puck2. Once they get to the puck and the take a slap slot (SS)3. Next they skate to the front of the net looking and get position4. Look for a deflection or rebound of shot from the Coach (C)Focus:1. Taking a slap shot while skating up to a puck2. Getting position and working on deflection and rebounds3. Goalie works on lateral movement4. Goalie works on getting clear view of puck from player standing...

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Using the Wall

Drill:1. Player 1 skates toward Defender (Coach (C)) on the blue line2. Player 2 in the middle skates toward the middle3. Player 1 passes the puck off the wall and steps around the coach4. After getting control of the puck, Player 1 looks for Player 2 heading down the middleFocus:1. Getting around defenders2. Using the boards/glass to make a play3. Getting control of the puck and looking for the player breaking down the middleNotes: You could add...

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Skate, Pass, Shoot

Drill:1. Players start at blue line and skate laterally toward the wall2. Next, they skate down the wall and pick up a puck and skate around the cone3. Once around the cone, make a pass to the blue line to the Coach (C)Next variation:1. After #3, skate around the cone and look for a return pass2. Shoot on net3. Replace coach as the passerFocus:1. Lateral skating2. Picking up a loose puck and skating/moving it along3. Making good clearing passes4....

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Slap and Go

Drill:1. Players start at goal line and skate backward with a puck2. Once they get to the cone, they make a hard pass to the next player in line3. Next they skate to the double cones where a puck is waiting for them. The Coach (C) will place a puck between the cones4. Players skates up and takes a slap slot (SS)5. Next they skate to the opposite cone, around and toward the net looking for a pass from the other Coach (C)6. Player shoots and goes back...

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4 on 2 Drill

Drill:1. X’s are Defense2. O’s are OffenseFocus:1. Defense should work on being in position and moving with the puck. 1 player should always be covering the front of the net2. Offense should work on puck movement and players getting into open spaceNotes:This is a nice drill to focus on player positioning, team work and basic skills (skating, passing and shooti...

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Playing a Box Defense

Playing a box defense is one of the best ways to defend and to teach the kids.  Putting them in a position is the easy part.Getting them to understand where to move with the puck is the challenging part. This picture may help you to diagram on your coaches board or to even send to the player to review on their own.I've also built several slide shows that can be seen here that detail all of the player positions.Left wingRight wingLeft defenseRight...

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Breakaway Drill

Drill:1. Line kids up on both sides of boards2. Skate in and pick up puck from middle and stick handle and shoot3. Change linesFocus:1. Picking puck up while skating2. Stickhandling with head up, puck control3. Making a move on the goalie4. Picking a spot and shootingNotes:There are a lot of variations with this drill. 1. You could focus on backhand shots2. A coach could play defense by chasing the player from behind to put press...

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Stickhandling through the cones

Drill:1. Line up players on each side of the rink (or net if you only have a half rink)2. Players must pick up the puck and skate thru the conesNote: have one set of cones in a straight line and the other spread apart3. After completing the cones, skate in on the goalie and shoot.Focus:1. Builds stickhandling skills2. Work on getting faster each time3. Wide cones will focus on carrying the puck around tight tu...

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What's in your Coach's Bag?

You do have a coach's bag, right?  If you don't, you need one.  It needs to be with you at all practices and games.  No exceptions. You can have anything you think you are going to need in there but there are a few essential items that should be in there (in no particular order):Tape for pants, sticks, etc.Coaching Board and markers Extra parts (wheels, bolts/nuts, screws, laces etc)Pens (for sign-in sheets)Screw driver (multi-head) for fixing helmet First-aid kitIce packs Mouth guardsWhistle (for practice) AAU card (or any...

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2-0 Breakout

Drill: 1. Players line up in 2 lines on the blue line2. Coach dumps puck into the corner3. Players must communicate and get control of the puck4. Player with puck must make a decision5. Player without puck should get open looking for puck6. Have a coach play Defense and make the puck carrier decide what to doFocus:1. Carry the puck to open space2. Pass the puck to teammate3. Shoot it up the boards to open spaceNotes:This drill really focuses...

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Give and Go

Drill:1. Players start at one end of the rink, Coaches along the boards2. Players make a pass to the coach and then get the pass back3. Stick-handle and shoot on goal Focus:1. Making good passes2. Continue to skate after making first pass3. Accepting passes Notes: This could be lengthened to full rink. You could also have a player or coach chase the player as they make and accept their pass...

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Getting into position in the offensive zone

This drill simply focuses on getting the players to the correct spot.Player 1 carries the puck down a wing (most times they will be pushed outside by the defense).Player 2 should go to the net.Player 3 should be in the high slot.This helps the players learn to go to the right spot and not stand and watch the others with the puck.Variations would be to have players (or coaches) play defense to make them move the puck or go to different positions.If...

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Russian Suicides (The Admiral)

Drill:1. First Offensive player carries puck to other end and makes shot2. At the shot, Offensive player in that zone takes off with a puck3. First offensive player must transition after shot and chases next player trying to stop them from scoringFocus:1. Hard skating 2. Stickhandling and shooting3. Quick transition from Offense to Defense4. Chasing down a player from behind (backchecking)Notes:This is a great drill to get the kids going on a slow...

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Defending passes from behind the net

Drill:1. Players line up in a semi-circle 2. Coaches are on either side of the net below the goal line3. Coaches make passes to any of the players in front4. Player settles puck and shoots or takes one-timers5. Goalie needs to make save and react quickly for next shot Focus:1. Goalie: Make good save and even better recovery to be in place for rebound or for next pass2. Players learn to shoot quickly. Notes: You can also set players up behind the...

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Left Wing

Helping the kids understand the positions they will be playing is key. These slides should be shared with your team and reviewed at practice.Left wing on offenseView more documents from InlineHockeyDrills.Left wing on offenseView more documents from InlineHockeyDril...

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Right Wing

Helping the kids understand the positions they will be playing is key. These slides should be shared with your team and reviewed at practice.Right wing on offenseView more documents from InlineHockeyDrills.Right wing on offenseView more documents from InlineHockeyDril...

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Right defenseman

Helping the kids understand the positions they will be playing is key. These slides should be shared with your team and reviewed at practice.Right defense on defenseView more documents from InlineHockeyDrills.Right defense on defenseView more documents from InlineHockeyDril...

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Left Defenseman

Helping the kids understand the positions they will be playing is key. These slides should be shared with your team and reviewed at practice.Left defense on defenseView more documents from InlineHockeyDrills.Left defense on defenseView more documents from InlineHockeyDril...

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Horseshoe drill (Pregame warmups)

Drill:1. Divide players into each corner with pucks2. One players skates (no puck) up across the blue line and cuts back to the middle3. Player on opposite side makes pass and then skates to blue line4. Player receives puck and proceeds to net and shoots5. Switch lines each turnFocus:1. Hard skating 2. Making and accepting passes3. Stickhandling and shooting4. Switching lines keeps them fresh from both sides of the rinkNotes: This is a great warmup...

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Game Day is Here

So you've spent a few weeks practicing and now game day has arrived.  Don't be nervous, it's a fun experience for you and the team.  Try to find a routine for yourself and it will help get the boys relaxed and ready to play as well.Pre-game Locker Room:Get to the rink well before the game and find a locker room.  Require that all the players get dressed and hang out together before the game.  They will want to skate and loosen up which is fine (have them leave the sticks in the locker room, there are too many people in the hall...

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Cross overs enter the zone

Drill:1. Outside skater carries puck into zone, starts toward goal at the blue line.2. Drop passes to player 2 following the play who crosses inside at the blue line.3. Player 2 shot/pass is based on defense reaction.Focus:1.  Teamwork entering the zone.2.  Good passes3.  CommunicationNotes:Drill submitted by Nino Febbraro...

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Trailing the shooter

Drill:1.  Kids will line up in pairs2.  Player 1 carries the puck and takes a shot at goal 3. Player 2 follows the puck into the crease anticipates a rebound.Focus:1.  Skating, stick handling and shooting by first player 2.  Following up shots by trailing player looking for reboundsNotes:Some additional passing could be added into here to mix up the drill. Drill submitted by Nino Febbraro...

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4 corner passing, skating and shooting

Drill:1. Player 1 passes puck to the blue line player and then skates around cones2. Players continue making passes (Across blue to red line)3. Last player makes a pass to the middle to Player 1 skating down the middle4. First player accepts pass and shoots5. Player 1 fills in the first spot in the blue line and everyone else rotates around. Player who made last pass joins the line behind the net.Focus:1. Good, crisp passes2. Hard skating3. Quick...

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Around the wall passing

Drill:1. Players start at 12. 1 passes to 23. 2 passes to 34. 3 passes to 45. 4 passes to 56. 5 shoots7. Players all rotate to where they passed. Player 5 goes to position 1Focus:1. Focus on making good passesIf they do not, make them start over2. Allows players to communicate and call for the puck3. Goalie should work on moving toward the puck with each pass4. Last player shoot They can make a move, shoot from slot, e...

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Passing Relays

Drill1. Players line up against the wall2. First kid skates down the line passing back and forth to each player3. At end, he turns and makes a pass to the next kid in line4. Continue through the line until all kids have gone5. Start at the opposite end. This way they will need to work on both forehand and backhandFocus:1. Crisp passes2. Making/accepting passes quickly3. Making/accepting passes on both the forehand and backhandNotes:This is a fun...

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1 on 1 Offense vs Defense (Half Rink)

Drill:1. The forwards line up in a corner with the pucks (circles)2. The Defense line up near the goal (triangles). 3. On the whistle forward #1 skates with the puck to the farthest cone. 4. Defense #1 skates forward to the closest cone, transitions and skates backwards5. Offense tries to get to the net, Defense tries to stop him6. Goalies should be moving with the playFocus:1. Offense focus on Stickhandling, speed skating and shooting2. Defense...

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Back to Basics: Skating

My last few posts really focused on skating.  Obviously skating is a key part of the game.  If the kids do not have the fundamentals down, they will struggle in the game.  They need to feel comfortable on their skates.Every practice should begin with some warm-up skating: (5 minutes)Have them skate (clockwise) along the boards the entire way around the rinkMake sure to stop them and have them skate the other way (counter clockwise) so they get used to turning both ways.As they hit a line, have them transition to backward to the next...

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Skating - Tight Turns

Drill:1. Starting in the corner2. Players skate each dot then perform a tight turn around the dotFocus:1. Players should bend their knees and get low in the turns 2. Quick cross over when completing the turn to accelerateNotes: Add a puck to make players focus on stickhandling while making tight tu...

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Skating – Race for the puck

Drill:1. Split players into 2 groups in each and put in each corner2. Players start by skating backwards to the first cone then forward to goal line (or cone) then backward to last cone.3. Pick up puck and take it to the goal and shootFocus:1. Skating skills both backward and forward2. Transitions from forward to backward3. Stickhandling & shootingNotes:This drill can be done 1 of 2 ways:1. Individual to focus on skating, stick handling and shooting...

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