These drills build upon each other to reinforce the necessary steps to a quality zone entry, none of which rely on dump and chase.
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]
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.
"They play like they practice, so they should practice like they play."
This article highlights why possession matters, and why keeping your head up and finding those lanes generates better chances than simply throwing the puck at the net.
Players should be learning through mistakes and trial and error and not a rigid boxed system.
At the start of the season, have a team meeting that includes players AND parents. That's where the communication will begin.
For game play, you can really find conditioning in most drills if your practice is set up to have as many players as possible in action at the same time.
Taking an NHL drill and making it useful for youth hockey practice is the name of the game.
Limited ice to run your practice? Dan Arel has some tips for making the most of it.
The Coaches Site can help improve your coaching, regardless of level. Here's a breakdown of why.