Blue Zone Keep Away

This is a simple but very effective drill which gives your defence (or any players) an opportunity to work on their mobility with a puck and that all important first pass while emphasizing the importance of moving and hinging to be an option for your partner.

Explanation of the Drill

Four defence (two pairs) are in the neutral zone between the blue lines. They are positioned as they would be for a faceoff at center, facing each other across the red line.

The 5th and 6th (or more) defence are resting against the boards at the red line. The coach starts with a puck at the center dot and passes it to one of the defence.

He then moves towards the defence he has passed to, as if to forecheck that defence. The defence who has received the pass must move laterally with the puck and then move the puck to one of the other 3 defence in the drill.

The coach continues to pursue the puck and “forecheck” whichever D has the puck. The four defence move forwards, backwards, laterally and pass the puck between them, keeping it away from the forechecking coach.

Every defence in the drill always tries to move so that they are an option for the player with the puck. They must hinge for their partner or move laterally to be open for a defence across the red line.

The D must move every time they get the puck- laterally, backwards etc. If the D do not move when they get the puck or the coach is able to steal the puck or deflect it away from a D, or the D misses another D completely with the pass, that D is replaced by the 5th D and the 5th D joins the drill. The 6th D will replace the next D who is out etc.

If the D are able to keep the puck away from the coach and keep moving, then replace a D after 25-30 seconds. The D may have to move outside the blue lines sometimes to hinge and be open for their partner. This is a high paced, very active and demanding drill for the D- and for the coach! (and his assistant who replaces him when he is exhausted!)

Options

With more advanced players, start the drill with one coach as the “forechecker” and then add a second coach to put even more pressure on the defence. Then use forwards as forecheckers, and the forecheckers can work on angling, proper stick position to take away the pass to the weakside D, active sticks to take away passing lanes and good footwork to stay in position.

Try moving the drill to the offensive zone (ie inside the blue line) and encourage the defence pair closest to the goal to try some indirect passes off the end boards, trying to get the puck off the boards to their partner’s stick tape to tape.

Coach's Tips

This drill will really help your D to make a first good pass in the neutral zone and in their own end to avoid a forechecker. It is also important that your D understand the concept of “drawing” the forechecker to them so that one pass can beat at least one forechecker.

Encourage your D to move laterally every time they touch the puck in order to change the passing lanes, to generate speed from a stationary position with good footwork, to use deception in their passes, to fake passes and then try alternate passes, to support their partner, to communicate and to make good passes that are hard and flat.

They should “sweep” the puck on all passes, and every pass should be outside the stick if possible. Encourage the players to always pass the puck on their forehand if possible.

The D should be “hinging” to be open for their partner. Note that proper hinging may take them outside the blue lines from time to time. Encourage your players to pass the puck early. “Early Easy” is a great message.

This drill will help your D to respond well under pressure on the forecheck to make good decisions and that first good pass. It is also a great drill for your D to get used to moving when their partner has the puck so that they are always an option for their partner.

Every player in the drill has to be ready to receive a pass at any time. We want our players in the game to be an option whenever a teammate has the puck.

Encourage the players to communicate during the drill. All of the players in this drill should always be moving. Encourage your players to run the drill at game speed. Put as much pressure on the D as possible by changing the forechecker every 20-30 seconds.

More advanced players can use “escape moves”, ie doing a tight turn off a fake pass to escape the forechecker and then move the puck to an open player. Make it a competition between your D. See which D can last the longest in the drill without being kicked out! Your expectations for your players on this drill will increase with their level and ability.

Tips for Players

You should be constantly moving in this drill. Up, over, back-moving laterally every time you get the puck, moving to hinge for your partner or to be open for a pass whenever another player has the puck.

Moving as you receive the pass will make it easier to move laterally with speed. More advanced players should be able to move laterally with your shoulders square to the potential pass receiver. This is a great drill to work on your footwork!

Try to always pass the puck on your forehand. Move the puck as early as possible once you have moved laterally to change the passing lane. The earlier you move the puck, the easier it is. Always sweep the pass and try to always pass outside the checker’s stick so you can keep the pass flat. Hopefully you will rarely have to “saucer” the pass over a stick.

Try to do a direct pass but use indirect passes off the boards “tape to tape” where necessary. Try faking before you pass to keep the forechecker off balance. Use “escape” moves when necessary to deal with pressure from the forechecker-fake the pass and then execute a tight turn before passing to an open player.

Try to be an option for every player that has the puck. Move to openings. Hinge for your partner. Be ready to receive the pass at all times. Communicate with the other players! Make good decisions under pressure!

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