Description: This drill is diagrammed in three parts in the drawing above. Part A represents the drill start where players partner up and play keep away. They are allowed to go anywhere on the ice. The drill starts with a whistle. On a second whistle the players stop and perform one touch passes as quick as possible (they should be at least 4 feet apart while passing; diagramed in part section B). On a third whistle they resume keep away as above in section C. The coach repeats the cycle and may alter time in each segement of this drill. This drill is performed on the whole ice sheet.
Cues: Teach players puck protection by placing body between puck and checking player. This drill promotes creativity in dekes, and feints, and moves. Encourage players to discouver the ice by using the boards, nets and other players as obstacles to checker. Players must keep heads up since other players are also playing on the ice. On passing segment have players yell for pass encourage eye to eye contact and quick location of partner. Quick and accurate passes should be rewarded. Challenge group by assigning a specific number of passes.Encourage them to support partner by getting within 6 feet when passing.
Variation: On second whistle players located a new partner and yell to him. They pass and on third whistle they become keep away opponents, therby causing a constant change of partners.
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)