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SKATING
Skating is probably the most important aspect of hockey and it is something that you can always improve on. Forwards, Defensemen, and Goalies should always be working on their skating and edge work. A good way to continue edge work is to begin every practice with some inside and outside edge work both forwards and backwards. Goalies should also participate in these drills which can be done while players are skating around when they first get on the ice. Improving skating and edgework will help players make the jump to the next level, edgework is something that even professional hockey players work on everyday. There is always room on a team for a great skater.
Colorado 2 on 0
Colorado 2 on 0
The drill starts out of opposite ends of the rink at the same time
P1 starts with the puck and P1 and P2 pass back and forth until the redline
At the redline P2 from both ends peels away to the opposite of the rink
P1 makes an indirect pass off the boards to send P2 from the opposite in just over the blueline.
P2 takes a shot P1 crashes the net
This drill simulates making an indirect pass behind a defenseman to send another player in, it is a great puck support drill
2 vs. 2 Puck Support Game
One of the most important aspects of hockey is how a player plays without the puck. A players ability to not only be open but to be in position to be the first player on a loose puck is known as puck support.
A great small sided game to help teach puck support is to set the nets up for a cross ice game. You can have the players play either 2 vs. 2 or 3 vs. 3 in the zone. The catch is no player is allowed to make a direct pass to a player on his team. This means the players must compete for loose pucks and be in the right spots to jump on rebounds and lost pucks.
If the drill is lagging the coach can move the nets and have the players play 2 vs. 2 inside a face off circle. Do your best to keep the play inside the circles. Another variation would be to have a net facing the corner and play 2 vs. 2 in the corner. This helps with teams that lose all of battles in the corners.
The One Timer/Redirect Drill from the corner
P1 starts facing P2, P2 gives pass to P1 to start drill
P1 immediately one touches the puck back to P2 and P1 begins to skate backwards around the top of the circle facing P2 the entire time.
P2 gives puck back to P1 when P1 reaches the top of the circle, P1 one times the puck on net and then P1 begins his net drive.
As P1 drives the net P2 passes a second puck to the middle for P1 to make a quick redirect on net.
To start the drill again P2 becomes the new P1 and the next player in line becomes P2
