Global drill library

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

Small area 3 v 2 game built around holding onto pucks under pressure with a numerical advantage.

This is a great drill for working on cutbacks behind the net, it is useful for both forwards and defensemen because this is a great skill to use whether in the offensive or defensive zone. - SETUP: Setup - To set up this drill, there should be a line at the top of one of the circles with a pile of pucks. The player starting the drill can start on the top of the other circle but after that it is continuous. - There should be a goalie in net in its respective position. - HOW THE DRILL WORKS: Setup - To start the drill, player 1 will skate around the net and show their forehand to player 2 who is first in line. Player 2 will pass the puck to player 1, get it back, and then as player one turns towards the wall showing either their forehand (lefty) or backhand (righty), they will give the puck back to 1. - Player 1 will then skate back around the net while player 2 is mirroring them. Player 2 will then provide pressure just off of the left post and player 1 will perform a cut-back to escape the pressure and turn back the other way. - After Player 1 makes it back around the post, they will find player 2 in the slot for a quick pass and shot. - Because this is continuous, after Player 2 shoots, they will skate around the net and get ready for a give and go with the next player in line. - COACHING POINTS: Setup - The most important thing about this drill is performing the cut back and utilizing the space behind the net to create separation between you and the defender.

The Corner Houda from Dave Smith focuses on puck retrievals, wall play, quick transitions, and structured zone play. It offers flexibility for various d-zone and special teams scenarios by changing it up from 3v3 to 5v3 to 5v4. Setup - Two coaches positioned on opposite sides of the blue line to initiate a rimmed puck. - Players are split into offensive and defensive groups—typically starting 3v3 (but can expand to 5v3 and 5v4). - Puck is rimmed around the boards to initiate a battle. Execution - First three players from one side retrieve the puck and start on offense; three from the other side defend. - Offensive group gains possession and attempts to create a scoring opportunity. - Drill is repeatable with different number combinations: 3v3, 5v3, 5v4 (PP/PK), etc. - Defensive group must pass or skate the puck over the red line to transition out. - Can include a net and goalie at the red line for breakout scoring opportunities after defensive transition. Progression - Start with 3v3 for basic wall play and transition work. - Advance to 3v5 to work on defensive zone returns and structure (slot, net front, strong side wall). - Incorporate special teams scenarios: Power play (PP) starts with puck possession. Penalty kill (PK) may retrieve puck and clear or attempt to shut down the PP setup. - Power play (PP) starts with puck possession. - Penalty kill (PK) may retrieve puck and clear or attempt to shut down the PP setup. Variations - Use variations (3v3, 5v3, 5v4) to target different systems and teaching points. - Can have the defensive group must pass or skate the puck over the red line to transition out or you can include a net and goalie at the red line to give the defense a chance to shoot on net.

The Fran Gow 3 on 2 and 3 on 3 small area game focuses on controlling pucks off the wall, creating time and space, and attacking the net with purpose. Players learn to manage pressure, roll off defenders, protect the puck, and make quick decisions in tight areas while defenders work on stick on puck and box outs. Drill Setup - Place a net just above the hashmarks or along the ringette line if available. Establish a goal line across the ice with the net facing the end boards. - Start with three offensive players and two defensive players. You can add a third defender to make it three on three for additional compete. - Each offensive group receives three pucks. The first and third pucks are rimmed in by the coach on their side. The second puck is rimmed by the coach on the opposite side. - On each whistle a coach rims a puck around the boards. Offense must retrieve it, control it off the wall, and attack the net. Any time a puck crosses the line, enters the net, or is covered by the goalie, the next whistle starts the next puck. Coaching Points - Offense: Coaching Points - Defense: Coaching Points - General Concepts: Variations - Can place net on goal line, on the hashmarks (as shown in diagram) or on top of circles - Can play 3 v 2 or 3 v 3

Receiving passes, protecting pucks and creating offense from one of the hardest areas on the ice.

College and AAA forwards working on playing with the puck away from their bodies, controlling it while shifting weight rather than keeping the hands in tight. The stickhandling is deliberately stripped out so the focus is weight transfer.

Puck protection with interchanges: heads up, brains on, leading with the puck and creating space.

New York Sirens forward Elle Hartje teaches players that winning a puck race isn't about being first to the puck—it's about winning the puck line. This competitive puck battle game develops body positioning on puck races, puck protection under pressure, and the ability to quickly transition into offense or defense on the second whistle. Setup - Coach places a puck inside one of the faceoff circles. - Two players begin outside the circle. - On the first whistle ("Go!"), both players race to gain possession. - The player who wins the puck must protect it while staying inside the circle. - The defender applies pressure and attempts to steal possession. - If the puck leaves the circle, it is dead and the coach immediately spots a new puck in the circle. - On the second whistle ("Go!"), play becomes live. The player with possession attacks the net to score, while the defender tries to regain possession and return the puck to the coach. Coaching Points - This drill was filmed at the Girls Pro Edge Experience at Rochester Ice Center.

Retrieve the puck under pressure and immediately play a give-and-go to get out of the zone with speed.

Rims happen every game; what you do after the retrieval creates the offense. This drill develops collecting a rimmed puck, attacking with speed, beating the pressure and getting to the net for a quality scoring chance.

The Soft Catch Behind the Net to Attack from the Academy of Hockey is a drill from the Soft Catch Skills Practice to help practice wall play, passing, routes and timing. Coaches can add light pressure to the drill so players need to keep their head up and pass around the coach. The drill highlights the "soft catch skill" where players catch the puck across their body in stride. - The primary benefit of a soft catch across your body is that it allows you to maintain your skating momentum and instantly load your weight to seamlessly transition into a shot, pass, or deke without missing a stride. The soft catch also allows you to protect the puck while along the boards. Setup - One net - Two lines along each side of the boards. - On the whistle, one side rims the puck (yellow player 1) along the boards while the player from the other side soft catches the puck (blue player 1), curls and finds the player who rimmed the puck in the slot for a quick shot. - The drill is continuous and after a rep is completed, the next player in the other line rims the puck (blue player 2). Variations - Coaches can add light pressure to the drill so the players must keep their head up and pass around. - Can add a live defender so the drill becomes a live 2 v 1. - Can set this up in different areas of the ice so the rim and puck collection happen at a different spot other than behind the net.

Warm-up drill focused on wall work, from Minnesota Wild skating and skills coach Andy Ness. A skill that gets too little attention at the younger age groups.