Drill #1 Name: Pinwheel
Description:
This drill emphasis is on support of the boards ("the wall")
and practicing the rim pick up for wingers. It is a continous 2vs0 loop. The
drill formation starts with two lines in opposite corners and two players
aligned in opposite directions at centre ice. On the whistle the first
player in line leaves his line and skates behind the net to hash marks.In
this position he is ready to pick up rimmed puck from boards. Meanwhile the
players at centre perform a timed skate arriving at the same time, and
loaction as the above winger. They support the player on the boards giving
him a player to pass to. The second player in the line (corner) rims the
puck while this is all happening. This second player then is the next player
to take position on the boards to pick up next rim. The player at hash marks
on the wall takes the puck off the boards passes bank passes to the centre
support in (A) as diagramed, or hits this player with a pass as diagramed in
(B). This player follows the attack and may recieve and pass back to partner
but when he hits the offensive zone (Blue line) he becomes the supporting
player and picks up a bank pass, or direct pass. He will then attacks the
opposite net.
Cues: Timing to support, communicate on the ice by calling for puck, quality
rims, good pick up of boards, and accurate outlet pass to looping supporting
forward.
Drill #2 Name: Threes
Description:
This drill is a continous situation that creates numerous on
ice situations. It starts with a simple 1vs1. The coach can start the drill
by dumping puck at the goalie. A forward skates into zone to pick up
rebound, loose puck or outlet. He plays out a 1vs1 up the ice. When he
passes centre ice two forwards from the next line follow ready to jump on a
loose puck, or an outlet pass, from D. They come back up the ice and are
picked up by two Defencemen in a two vs two situation. This two vs two is
played out with three forwards following the attack after it passes centre.
These three players again pick up the loose puck and breakout against two
new defenders. After the puck passes centre a last forward acts as a back
checker (he is circled in the diagram)to make it a three on three situation.
The drill continous now by having one forward follow the three vs three
picking up the loose puck and breaking out 1vs1 to restart the whole
sequence again.
Cues: Jump on loose pucks, quick transition into attack, pay attention, know
your responsibilities in a 1vs1, 2vs2, 3vs2 with a backchecker.
Thanks to Malcolm Sutherland
for his weekly drill submissions.
Malcolm Sutherland H.B. kin., C.P.T.
Owner Director of Superior Hockey Schools (superiorhockey.com)
email
Advanced certified Coach with Hockey Canada
Assistant Coach of the Thunder Bay Thunder Cats United Hockey League(Minor Pro.)
Certified Personal Trainer (American Council on Exercise; and IDEA)
Hockey Author
Inside Hockey / Hockey Player Magazine
Thunder Bay Hockey News on the web Youth Hockey Network (YHN.COM)