Global drill library

Develop proper gap control by teaching defensemen to defend while skating forward, using good angles and an active stick to eliminate time and space. Description - This 1 on 1 drill teaches defensemen how to maintain a tight gap while defending with their feet moving forward. The defender starts by touching the blue line before closing space on the attacking forward, using proper angles, stick position, and body control to dictate the play. Setup & Execution - Coach spots a puck off the wall for the forward to retrieve. - The defender begins by touching the blue line before closing the gap. - The forward attacks the net while the defender skates forward to maintain a tight gap. - The defender uses proper angling and an active stick to take away time and space. - Transition and recover only when the attacker gains an advantage. - Play continues until the scoring chance is complete.

1 v 1 Use the Net from Jason Lammers is a great drill for all age levels that encourages offensive awareness and puck protection while the defenders work on angling and proper stick detail. The offensive team is trying to skate the puck through the gate while the defender is looking to strip the puck and score on net. Setup - Setup a net and a gate as the goals. These can be placed in center ice like the video displays, or in other areas of the ice. - A defensemen starts with the puck behind the net. - A forechecking forward starts in the middle of the playing area and tries to angle the defender to one area of the ice. - The defender keeps their head up, uses the net to protect the puck and tries to skate through the gates. - If the forward strips the puck, they try to score a goal on net. - After the rep the forward rotates to defense, the defender rotates out, and a player from the line sets up behind the net. - Keep score! 1 point for a goal through the gates and 2 points for a goal. Variations - Can set this up in different areas of the ice. - Can use tires, cones or gloves to create the gate. - Can make the gate larger (makes the game easier for the breakout team) or smaller (makes the game harder) - Can progress this to 2 v 2, so that the defensive team has to work together to break the puck out and the forechecking team can work together to stop the breakout. - Can progress this to the in zone net and these two options: 1 v 1 Puck Retrieval to 2 v 1 from Jason Lammers 2 v 1 Use the Net drill from Topher Scott - 1 v 1 Puck Retrieval to 2 v 1 from Jason Lammers - 2 v 1 Use the Net drill from Topher Scott

This one on one drill focuses on an area of the ice where a lot of turnovers occur. Being able to transition quickly will help generate scoring chances. This drill sets players up in a situation where the sole purpose is to have them keep moving their feet as they enter the zone, fighting through the check if they have to. Setup - This can be set up as a full ice (as shown in the video), or half ice on both sides, or as a station drill. - The drill is set up with the pucks and coaches in the middle of the ice at about the edge of the center face-off circle with pucks. The extra players are inside the center circle out of the way. The forward starts on the blue line along the wall and the defense start on the blue line just inside the dots. - On the whistle, both players skate up to the red line and stop. The forward calls to receive a pass from the coach (or another player) and the defense transitions backwards... then the danger zone starts! - Variation: If the defense is getting beat too often, you can have them stop or pivot backwards in between the blue line & center line, which will give them a bit of a head start on the forwards. Forward Options - Outside Option: The first is to use their speed and gain the zone to the outside. If the defense is able to play them at the blue line then they can give themselves a soft chip inside the zone and keep their feet moving through the check. - Middle of Ice Option: If the defense does not do a good job at the blue line and allows the forward to enter the zone with space then the forward can cut to the middle of the ice. It is important that the forwards get the puck down deep into the zone in this situation. - Get Creative! Anything goes! Change up your skating speed and tempo, use deceptive moves with your body and puck control to get the defenceman off balance, etc. Have fun and work to survive the danger zone! Defense Coaching Points - This 1 on 1 drill is for a very specific part of the ice. More 1 on 1 situational drills can be viewed on our 1 on 1 hockey drills page.

A fun race that works on edges, tight turns and body positioning. Rewards the winner with a shot. Variations - Left Turn - Right Turn - Forward to Backwards - Backwards to Forwards - Side Jumps

Develop a defenseman's skating, gap control, and confidence by reinforcing efficient footwork and maintaining a tight gap in open-ice situations. Description - This 1 on 1 drill provides defensemen with opportunities to develop confidence in their skating and gap control. Defensemen work on quickly transitioning from a backward skate to forward skating, maintaining a tight gap, and using efficient footwork to eliminate time and space as the attacker advances. Setup & Execution - The forward begins with the puck and attacks straight down the ice. - The defenseman starts by backpedaling to the red line. - Once the defenseman reaches the red line, they pivot, match the attacker's speed, and close the gap. - The play continues as a live 1 on 1 to the net. - As a progression, the defenseman can quickly recover into a second rush to reinforce repeated gap control and skating habits. Coach's Note - Doug emphasizes that this drill is designed to build confidence in a defenseman's skating. The more comfortable a defenseman is with their footwork, the more confident they'll be maintaining tight gaps and holding the blue line in game situations.