Explanation of the Drill

Defencemen skate hard forwards from the dot in the defensive end up to a cone near the blueline, transition to backwards and skate back hard to a cone between the dot and the bottom of the circle on the same side, pivot and skate forwards into the corner, pick up a puck and pass it to a defenceman at the near point who has skated forwards from the point position to the top of the circle and is now moving backwards.

This defenceman receives the pass, skates laterally towards the middle of the ice, all the way to the cone and passes the puck to a defenceman at the far point position who has skated towards the passer and then away from the passer towards the middle on the point.

This defenceman receives the pass, moves laterally and shoots on net. Everyone follows their pass and assumes the position of the player they passed to.

The goalie must always stay square to the puck carrier so he is moving across the net three times and then receiving a quick shot. The drill continues with the puck starting in the other line so that the shot comes from the other side. This way the goalie is working on lateral movement and filling holes in both directions.

Options

The coach can put pressure on the defencemen as they pivot and move towards the corner to simulate game conditions going into the corner.

Have the defenceman start by passing directly to his teammate at the point and then have them pass it off the boards to the other defenceman.

Add a station where, after shooting, the defenceman moves to the front of the net for a tip and rebound.

Coach's Tips

Emphasize quick transitions and quick footwork. Stress a quick release on the shot from the point.

Have the defencemen work on shot selection so they are able to shoot wrist shots from the point as well as quick slap shots.

Put pressure on the defenceman at various points in the drill to ensure they are moving at game speed.

Older more skilled players should move laterally right to the cone along the point. Younger players can skate the puck forwards towards the middle before making the pass to the far point.

Tips for Players

Some keys to great footwork

Use quick feet both forwards and backwards to accelerate.

Avoid stopping on the transition from forwards to backwards-use a lateral slide to maintain speed and use your forward momentum to give you backward speed.

Power start backwards in one cross over, one cross under and stride. This keeps the transition from forwards to backwards tight and efficient to avoid giving up ice to a forward or losing time on the transition.

Stick blade is always in front between the shoulders. Lead with the stick blade on the pivot to maximize speed.

When moving laterally, one skate always stays on the ice. Proper body position will ensure that you are on a flat blade for glide. Up and down motion will put weight on the glide skate for speed. Quick feet will increase speed.

When moving towards your proper side, take the pass on your backhand and bring the puck across your body after the first crossunder so that you are in a position to pass or shoot.

When shooting, shoot off your off foot when moving laterally to your off side. Shoot off your same foot when moving laterally to your proper side.

While moving laterally always be in a position to pass or shoot the puck.

Work on a good wrist shot about 10 to 16 inches off the ice from the point. The forwards in front can tip this shot, you may get a great rebound or you may clear the pads of the goalie in a butterfly position! Your D will love this drill as it allows them to work on a lot of the footwork that they will use in a game!

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