In this fun and challenging drill, players of all ages and abilities work on their quick feet and acceleration. Quickness is so important to the game of hockey, both on offence and on defence. The first three steps that a player takes will determine who will get to loose pucks, break into the open or get back to defend.
Explanation of the Drill
Two players face each other holding the blade of their stick between the thumb and pointing finger, extending their arm so that the stick is to their side and holding the stick straight up and down with the top of the stick on the ice.
The distance that the players are apart will depend on their age and ability.
One of the players says “Ready?....Go!” and each player lets go of their stick, leaving it to stand as long as possible on its own, on the ice, and tries to grab the other player's stick before it hits the ground.
If both players grab the sticks before they hit the ice, the players move farther apart and try again until they see how far apart they can be and still catch the sticks. The players line up so that they are in front of their partner's stick, ready to accelerate towards it.
Have one player start on a clearly marked spot, like the blue line while the other player moves farther and farther away! See how far apart they two players can get and still catch the sticks or have two pairs of players compete head to head against each other! Players are allowed to dive to grab the stick before it hits the ice!
Options
For a real challenge, try turning the sticks over so they stand on the toe of the blade on the ice! Next try it with 3 or more players around a circle.
