Battle in the House

The purpose of the drill is to hone the offensive and defensive skills necessary to excel in hockey's "house" - a big part of the modern game.

Explanation of the Drill

For this drill, the house is the area from the goal line on both sides of the net through the dots to the slot.

In this drill the coach places two cones on the goal line, two cones on the dots and one cone in the slot to mark the house. The coach has pucks in the point area near the blueline.

There are two offensive forwards and two defending defencemen and a goalie who take their positions in the house.

The coach spots the puck into the house either by shooting it at the net (wrist shot or low slap shot) or to the area of the net, chipping it or sliding it to an open area so that one of the forwards can get to it or shooting it off the back boards so it ends up in the house.

The forwards are trying to score and the defence are trying to carry the puck out past the top of the circles.

As soon as the forwards score or the defence clear the zone the players move back into position and the next puck is put into play by the coach. Try to play three pucks with each 2 on 2 before changing the players.

Before the first puck is put into play, the defence should be stationary on the inside hash marks and the forwards are positioned with one on one dot and the other at the opposite side of the net on the goal line.

On a signal from the coach the game starts, the players battle for position in front of the net and the coach then puts the puck into play. The next puck can be put into play as soon as the players are all in the house.

Options

You can vary the rules and the size of the “house” to give the forwards access to the area below the goal line or the corners.

Once your players understand the drill, put one of your defensemen on the point to put the pucks into play. Tell the defensemen to try to shoot at the forwards sticks.

Coach's Tips

You are trying to duplicate or simulate the battles that occur for pucks in front of the net in every game. You have lots of options on how the puck is put into play.

Try to shoot on net to create a rebound. Low shots at the offensive players sticks or through the offensive players are very effective and act as great teaching tools.

Instruct the players to try to have one forward low in front of the net and one forward high in the slot area, both try for deflections or misdirections. The high offensive player can also release to open ice for a hard pass from the coach, particularly on the off side.

Offensive players learn net presence skills-screening, tipping, rebounds, quick passes in a small area, body and stick position in front of the net, shooting out of traffic etc.; Defensive players learn fronting, (getting in front of a player who has position in front of the net to block the shot) shot blocking, defensive skills in front of the net including stick and body position, footwork and sealing players out (away from the net ie angling them away from the net to keep them from getting or regaining position in front of the net.)

Player's Tips

Players have to work hard to get in good position in the house. Good footwork and being in an athletic position with a strong hockey stance are important. All players must try to find the puck and be aware of where the puck is. They have to react quickly to loose pucks and communicate with their teammates.

Offensive: Try to have one player low with good net presence right in front of the goalie, but outside the blue ice, and one player high trying to deflect the puck or get open for a pass and shot.

When getting open for a pass, try to get into position on your offside and be ready to shoot before you receive the pass. Many goals are scored on misdirections. Both players should have their sticks on the ice or close to the ice at all times.

The player in front faces the coach, with their back to the goalie and tries to put their body in between the goalie and the puck. Keep your stick pointed towards the puck so that you can deflect the puck through your body or from the side while still screening the goalie. This way, if you miss the puck, the goalie may still have a hard time finding the puck.

Your goal is to screen, tip and then turn towards the net for the rebound. On rebounds, try to move the puck laterally and then get the puck up quickly if the goalie is down.

Know where your teammate is and communicate with him or her on loose pucks. A quick pass in the house to a teammate who is in shooting position can be a great play!

Defensive: The basic rule is that if the forward has already gained low net position in front of your goalie, you do not want to engage the forward for any length of time to present a double screen for your goalie.

In this case, you should try to block the lane from the shooter to the net. This is called “fronting” the shot. (moving in front of the forward to block the shot). If you have gained net position before the forward, then your goal is to block the net.

Try to keep the forward from coming to the front of the net by being in good defensive position between the forward and the net with a strong stick on the ice and a good athletic body position-knees bent, back straight and head up. Try to work on your opponent from the ice up.

Be aware of where the offensive player’s stick is at all times and try to control the stick close to the blade before the shot. Try to lift your opponent’s stick on the shot or when pucks are loose close to you. Communicate with your partner to ensure that both forwards are covered defensively.

Each defenseman should be responsible for one of the players. Try to keep the high forward from getting to the net by being in good defensive position between this player and the net.

React quickly to loose pucks. If they are in a dangerous area, try to move them to where your team can gain possession. It is safer to move them to the side boards, not out to the high slot or point area.

If the puck is not in a dangerous area, get to the puck quickly and then move your feet with the puck while looking for a safe pass to get the puck out of danger.

Latest Drills