When it comes to connecting skill with decision-making, Brian Slugocki consistently delivers. His drills don’t just look like the game, they teach players how to think it.

This passing progression is a great example.

It’s simple on the surface, but it targets a moment we see all the time. Players enter the zone with possession and default to putting the puck deep when they don’t have to. The question becomes, how do we help them make plays instead?

It starts with understanding that two players are responsible for every good pass. The puck carrier and the receiver have to work together. This is a simple skill drill, but it’s conceptual - players have to buy their ice and adjust their routes, to ensure they’re in the optimal spot to receive a pass. Even within a structured route, players are encouraged to make their own decisions, which is where the learning happens.

“A lot of players mess themselves up by not giving themselves enough room to make a play.”

That idea really shows up once a defender is added. Now spacing and timing matter. If players don’t use their ice properly, the opportunity is gone. There are several technical details to remember, such as when Slugocki halts the drill to show players how to protect the puck. This sequence lets you unleash the players and then use your natural curiosity and drive to improve to find things to work on.

Simple drill, but one that builds the habits needed to turn zone entries into quality chances. This is heightened when the drill adds a defender progression, in which players really have to use their ice properly if they want to get a quality shot on net.

WATCH HIS FULL TCS LIVE PRESENTATION HERE

This drill is a focused method of teaching zone entries that ensures players still have to make their own decisions. Watch as Slugocki sends the players on their way before immediately finding something to either correct or improve.

Key Points

• Player 1 catches a pass before the blue line and enters the zone
• That player executes a delay and passes to player 2, who times their skate to receive the pass
• Player 2 then skates deeper into the zone and delays again to pass back to player 1, who takes a shot
• Repeat on the other side