Check out this collection of drills submitted by attendees at the 2023 edition of TCS Live.
Check out this collection of drills submitted by attendees at the 2023 edition of TCS Live.
MALDEN 1V1, 2V2, 3V3 SAG
John Coughlin, Nashua North-Souhegan.
DESCRIPTION
- Game can be played 1v1, 2v2, 3v3 on one net or two. 1v1v1 is also an option.
- Extra players are waiting just over the goal line and bump loose pucks back into play.
- Coach starts play by chipping puck into play to start a scrum for the puck.
KEY POINTS
- On 2v2 or 3v3 play, the defenders that recover the puck must make at least one pass before attacking the net.
- Battle zone drill.
- Maintain good body position with a busy stick.
NEUTRAL ZONE SWING 2V0 WARM UP
Jeremy McQuillin, Kincardine Minor Hockey Association.
DESCRIPTION
- Players line up in 2 lines at each blue line. 2 players start towards middle of the blue line on the whistle.
- They exchange one quick pass and then a drop pass to the players fore hand.
- Quick pass in neutral zone then wide drive entry. Puck carrier drives wide, shoots then goes to net for rebound.
- 2nd player drives to the net as well and both stop at the net.
KEY POINTS
- One pass maximum after crossing the offensive blue line.
- Drive to the net for rebounds.
- Practice deception. Show shot then pass quickly.
- Variation: Have a D jump in to defend 2v1. Set up to run from both blue lines and alternate.
3V3 COACH OUTLET SAG
Mike Broderick, Grey Bruce Highlanders AAA.
DESCRIPTION
- 3v3 play. Coach starts play by ripping a puck into the corner.
- Teams can score on either net.
- When a goal is scored, a goalie freezes the puck or the puck goes out of play, the Coach fires in a new puck.
KEY POINTS
- Players change on their own or changes can be initiated by the Coach.
- Players must be aware of quick transition as teams can score on either net.
MIKE’S 1V1, 2V1, 3V1
Mike Broderick, Grey Bruce Highlanders AAA.
DESCRIPTION
- Forwards and D in opposite corners. On whistle, F1 starts towards F2 and passes puck up to F2.
- F2 passes it back quickly to F1 then jumps in with the F1 from their side or turns and joins F1 from the other side.
- D sprint up to their blue line to gap up quickly then pivot backwards to defend. This will create either a 1v1, 2v1 or 3v1 on both sides.
KEY POINTS
- D sprint to blue, quick pivot and read the play developing in front of them.
- Forwards, stay onside and communicate with F1. Get loud!
- 3v1, make sure one F is driving to the net hard.
- Crash net for rebounds after the shot.
MIKE’S D-SKATE BREAKOUT
Mike Broderick, Grey Bruce Highlanders AAA.
DESCRIPTION
- On whistle, D1 and D2 step up, pivot backwards and back up quickly.
- Coach chips a puck to either corner. D retrieves the puck, passes quickly behind the net to D partner who passes up to low, curling center or winger on the wall.
- They all move up ice 3v0, 3v1 or 3v2. Coach 2 calls out the D coverage.
- The D join the rush, play out the attack low until the whistle then hustle back into the middle zone to gap up on next rush attempt. D changes out after defending.
KEY POINTS
- C2 vary the coverage. Forwards read, react and communicate. Get loud!
- D try to keep shooters to outside to force bad angle shots.
- Play out until the whistle. Attack the net on the rush, loose pucks to corners can be kicked back out for D shots with net jams.
BREAKOUT BOUNCE WARM UP
Shawn Burrows, Kincardine Minor Hockey Association.
DESCRIPTION
- D1 picks up puck in the corner and skates behind net and passes to F1 on the wall.
- F2 comes across to support the puck and get direct pass or chip off of the wall.
- F2 goes in for a shot as F1 now cuts across to the other side to become the support player on break out.
- D cuts back, picks up a new puck and starts the next rep.
KEY POINTS
- Warm up drill for goalies so start by shooting from well out.
- Stop at the net then back into a rebounding position for next shooter.
- Can add resistance by placing Coach or pylon at offensive blue line.
- Variation: add a D to create a 1v1. Add another F to create 2v0 or 2v1.
3V3 LAYER CAKE
David Sellin, Total Package Hockey.
DESCRIPTION
- Coach sets puck inside blue line before whistling to start the 3v3 game. Game starts with three races.
- P1 races P4 for the puck. The other four players race to get good position coming into the zone.
- Once the puck is recovered, attacking player must carry the puck outside of the dot lanes before attacking back 3v3.
- On change of possession, new attackers take puck outside the dot lanes to start new attack.
KEY POINTS
- The four players entering the zone late race to defend or attack in layers.
- Puck protection and puck possession.
- Lots of talk on both sides of the puck.
CROSS DROP, RETRIEVAL, SHOT OFF PASS
David Sellin, Total Package Hockey.
DESCRIPTION
- First puck: P2 makes a kick out pass to P1 just before the blue line and moves to support the entry.
- P1 enters the zone makes a 1 foot cut in front of the pad to open up and drop puck to P2 who cuts in behind him.
- P2 drives wide as P1 goes around the pad into the high slot for the return pass from P2.
- P1 takes a quick shot, goes into the corner and picks up a puck.
- Second puck: With new puck, P1 makes one or two evasive maneuvers using jab turns then looks to pass to P2 in high slot.
- As P1 is picking up the puck, P2 curls back up along the wall, around the pad and with good timing drives to the high slot for a pass from P1 for another quick shot. Switch positions on next rep.
KEY POINTS
- Working on puck protection and evasive maneuvers.
- Good timing on drive to net for pass.
- Quick release shooting.
NICK’S 4V2 JUMP UP SAG
Nick Deschenes, Sicamous Eagles.
DESCRIPTION
- Coach starts play by chipping a puck into the middle of the four players at center ice to create a scrum for the puck.
- The team that recovers the puck must play it back immediately to their two D below the goal line.
- They make a quick D to D pass then start up ice 4v2, attacking downhill.
- Play out until a goal is scored, goalie freezes the puck or the Coach whistles to change players.
KEY POINTS
- Mini PP set up.
- If puck goes out of play, Coach throws in a new puck to attackers.
- Variation: if new puck has to be thrown in, Coach passes to two defenders. Two of their teammates jump in and two previous attacking forwards drop out to create a quick transition 4v2 the other way.
BAXTER DRILL
Terry Corbin, Brantford Minor Hockey Association.
DESCRIPTION
- Coach starts 5v0 breakout with a chip to corner or hard rim in behind the net to work on cutting rims and setting puck for the D.
- Coach starts by calling out the breakout pattern then progress to having the players decide the breakout on the fly.
- After first breakout, winger with puck at redline (F3) goes in for a breakaway as other two forwards now execute a 4v0 breakout using a 5v0 pattern.
- F3 hustles back into the neutral zone to defend 2v1 against F1 and F2.
- After 2v1, Coach throws in a new puck to the forwards comeback 3v2 . Both D stop up at the defensive blue, get a puck from the Coach, quick D to D pass and shot.
- D now turn up ice and gap up to play 3v2 against F1, F2 and F3.
KEY POINTS
- Use all breakout options.
- Clear communication.
- Skate routes at game speed.
- Center low and slow on breakout ready to support breakout to left or right.
3V2 OVER THE TOP
Dan Wood, DePaul University.
DESCRIPTION
- Coach starts play by chipping puck into corner to start 3v2 play low.
- Defending forwards can wait in their defensive positions but may not attack the offensive forwards.
- The defensive forwards activate once their D recover the puck and outlet to them.
- Upon recovering the puck, counter attack down the ice as quickly as possible with a D jumping up into the play if possible.
- Play out 5v5 low or if puck is turned over before at the offensive blue line or just before, defenders can now counter back quickly the other way.
KEY POINTS
- Defending players start in low defensive position but only D activate on chip for 3v2.
- Quick transition. Blue line smart at offensive blue line on the rush.
- On backcheck, come back hard through the middle down to cover the slot.
- Next group of players move into position once the puck has moved over the offensive blue line and there is no counter attack.
SWING AND GO 2V1
Tyler McLean, Lambton Jr. Sting
DESCRIPTION
- D1 start top of the circle, skates backwards and pivots to pick up a puck.
- D1 passes to F1 or F2 cutting across the blue line.
- Fs pass it quickly to D2 who passes quickly to F3 on the wall.
- F3 passes to either F1 or F2 who now head back up ice 2v1 against D1. D2 starts the next rep.
KEY POINTS
- D are always in movement taking and making passes.
- Speed, speed, speed!
- 2v1, both Fs drive to net after shooting looking for a rebound and stop at the net.
