TOPIC: How to Master Locating Pucks Through Traffic
Danny Heath is a skills specialist and supports athletes in both their on and off-ice development. Coaching youth hockey, high school and as an assistant with NCAA D1 Minnesota State University, Danny is able to adapt his teaching to players at every level of their development. During his TCS Live presentation, Heath delivered a masterclass in locating pucks through traffic, and has shared 5 of his go-to drills to help players quickly react and adapt to scoring chances.
The Gates
DESCRIPTION:
Two pairs of players skate around the tires in a small area with multiple gates (pylons/tires). Players try to make as many passes as possible through the gates to get a point on each pass.
KEY POINTS:
• Passing in movement.
• Tape to tape passes.
• Work both fore hand passing and back hand passing.
Circle 8 Plus One
DESCRIPTION:
One passer sets up with a pile of pucks and passes to the player who moves around in a circle 8 pattern. Passer tries to time the passing so that the pass goes through the legs of the third player who is set up in front of the passer. When the player receives the pass, he bounces a puck off of the wall and passes it back to the passer quickly.
KEY POINTS:
• Smooth turns.
• Pass in movement -good timing on passing. • Work forehand and backhand passing.
One Timer Through Traffic
DESCRIPTION:
Set up a net on tires to elevate it off of the ice. Shooter sets up near the face off dot and shoots quickly after receiving a pass from the coach. The coach passes the puck under the net to simulate a pass coming through traffic.
KEY POINTS:
-
Shooter starts from a static position then progresses to moving a little bit while shooting to get the shot past a potential shot blocker.
-
Hit the net.
Back Door Tipper
DESCRIPTION:
Set up two nets on tires on the inside hash marks. First player backs away from the passer, exchanges passes with the passer, then moves around the net into a back door tipping position. The passer makes some evasive moves until the tipper gets into position then passes under the nets to the back door tipper.
KEY POINTS:
• Find the puck coming through traffic.
• Good positioning of skates and stick to be ready for the pass.
Screen Tips
DESCRIPTION:
Place nets on tires so that they are elevated off of the ice. Tippers set up in front of the net to tip shots that are shot under the nets. Tippers must pick up the trajectory of the puck coming from underneath the nets and adjust their positioning and sticks to tip pucks.
KEY POINTS:
• Quick hands.
• Start with softer shots then make them harder as tipper gets better at tipping the pucks.
