Creating space and solid decision-making without the puck increases a player's chances of scoring.
Author - Dan Arel
Dan Arel is the Director of Coaching Education and Development for the San Diego Oilers and head coach of their 12U A team. He was also named the 2020 San Diego Gulls Foundation's Coach of the Year. You can email him at [email protected]
Get their minds working early. When to pass, which player needs to be covered, and for the goalie, being ready for anything.
The skills and abilities you looking for vary from level to level.
Recreate the speed of skating, the movement, and even the need for quick passing in a few simple drills.
Confining the area in which players can work shrinks the game down to a more realistic size.
Use these drills to teach your youth hockey team how to defend inside your zone.
These drills teach a very fundamental aspect of playing the role of a defensive team for all players.
Help your team develop a more organized strategy on what kind of defense it will play.
Controlling the puck means you’re controlling the game.
These drills build upon each other to reinforce the necessary steps to a quality zone entry, none of which rely on dump and chase.
What each drill has in common is the theme of keeping the pass short, but also really focusing on moving your legs.
Utilize multiple drills either as part of your warm-up, stations, or on half or full ice.