Initial Skater Assessment Drills

1) PURPOSE:  Tests passing accuracy, reception quality, timing, and the ability to pass and receive effectively while in motion at varying speeds.

EQUIPMENT: Pucks; 3 cones 

RUN IT:
1) 5 Forehand Passes / 5 Backhand Passes
2) 5 passes Forehand sauce / 5 Backhand sauce (optional)

3) Each player takes turns doing a circle from their cone around the second cone they must give a pass before the second cone and receive a pass back on the other side of the cone while they circle the cone. How they transition is up to the skater's ability. They will take 2 give and go passes in one direction and 2 give and go passes in the other direction.

NOTES:

• Are passes flat on the ice (ideal) or bouncing? Bouncing passes indicate improper weight transfer
• Is the player leading the receiver correctly — passing to where they will be, not where they are?
• Does the player's head come up before releasing the pass, or is the player watching the puck?
• Is the player receiving passes cleanly without multiple stick-taps or fumbles?
• Watch for proper weight transfer on the backhand — shift from back foot to front foot through the
• pass

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2)  PURPOSE: Evaluates forward skating, backward skating, crossovers, forward-to-backward and backward-to-forward transitions, edge control, speed retention, and acceleration across full-ice distance.

SET IT UP:  cones to mark transition points

RUN IT:
Player starts at the near goal line, stationary.
1. Forward sprint from start to cone at maximum speed.
2. Perform a forward-to-backward transition at the cone — no stopping, no stepping.
3. Backward skate from the cone to the face-off circle.
4. Perform a backward-to-forward transition at the face-off circle.
5. Execute a full (crossover)loop around the far face-off circle — one complete revolution.
6. Full-speed sprint back to the starting line.
7. Perform a hockey stop at the starting goal line.

NOTES:

• Watch for proper knee bend and low center of gravity throughout the drill
• Check for clean edge bite on transitions — no stumbling, stepping, or stutter steps
• Evaluate speed retention — does the player noticeably slow at each transition point?
• Observe crossover technique: are inside edges actively powering the crossover loop?
• Check posture throughout: head up, shoulders square, arms engaged for balance and power

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3) PURPOSE: Tests stickhandling mechanics, puck speed, head-up play, composure under increasing speed demands, and puck protection ability.

EQUIPMENT NEEDED: 3-5 cones spaced 5 feet apart in a straight zig-zag line; pucks

RUN IT:
● Forehand/Backhand Alternating: Moderate pace. Player weaves through all cones alternating
forehand and backhand touches at each gate.
● Tight Turn: Maximum pace through all cones, forehand/backhand alternating, perform a tight turn
with puck and return through the cones in the opposite direction.
● Tight Turn the opposite direction: Maximum pace through all cones, forehand/backhand alternating.
Perform a tight turn in the opposite direction with puck. Return through the cones and finishing on
the opposite end of the start.

NOTES:

• Is the player's head up, or is the player watching the puck the entire time?
• How close does the player keep the puck to their body vs. pushing it far out front?
• Does puck control deteriorate meaningfully as speed increases from Round 1 to Round 3?
• Note backhand technique — many players lose puck control on the backhand under speed

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4) PURPOSE: Tests shot mechanics, accuracy to all four corners, release speed, shot selection, and the ability to maintain accuracy.

SET IT UP: Pucks; a designated net (with or without goalie); targets or markers on four corners of the net; a feeder/coach.

RUN IT:
1)  Wrist Shot (4 shots): Player positioned in the slot, stationary. Aim for all four corners —
evaluator calls a corner or player selects. Assess mechanics, weight transfer, and accuracy.

2) Snap Shot (4 shots): Player is in the face-off circles.  Snap shot emphasis — minimal
wind-up, quick release. Assess release speed and accuracy on target.

3) Pass and Shoot (4 shots):  Player skates in from the wing, receives a pass from the coach/feeder
in stride, and shoots immediately without stopping.

NOTES:

• Is there proper weight transfer from the back foot to the front foot through contact?
• Does the follow-through point directly toward the intended target?
• How quick is the release? Does the player telegraph the shot with an extended wind-up?
• Is shot selection intelligent — is the player picking open corners or shooting into the goalie?
• Does accuracy hold up under increasing speed and time pressure in Part 3