Check out this collection of drills submitted by attendees at the 2023 edition of TCS Live.
SCOTTY’S NET JAM 2V1 COUNTER
Andy Scott, Wilkes-Barre Scranton Knights.
DESCRIPTION
- On the whistle D1 gaps up to red line then cuts back to take pass from F3.
- F1 carry puck around the circle for a shot then head up ice. F2 post up at far blue line.
- D1 passes to F2 for bump pass for F1. F1 shoots on net then gets puck from C.
- F1 passes to D1 who takes shot with F2 screening.
- F1 and F2 get new puck from F4 and go back 2v1 on D1. Both directions go at the same time.
KEY POINTS
- Hard tape to tape passing.
- One forward screens for D shot as other F works into a rebound area.
- On 2v1, D tries to force bad angle shot, eliminating cross ice pass.
BULLDOGS 1V0 GOALIE WARM UP
John Camp, University of Georgia Ice Dawgs.
DESCRIPTION
- Half ice with two lines of players. P1 skates backwards to top of face off circle, passing back and forth with P2.
- P1 regains the middle zone and exchanges passes with P3 on far side.
- After a few passes, drive back into the zone for an angle shot.
- Warm up drill for goalies so start with longer shots.
KEY POINTS
- Goalie warm up.
- Smooth pivoting and passing.
HOME PLATE GAME
Travis Minaker, Vikings Hockey Academy.
DESCRIPTION
- 5v3 play. Start from face off or corner scrum.
- All shots must be taken from inside of “home plate” area.
- When defending with 3 forwards, on whistle, kick puck back to D and the 6 forwards switch roles on the fly.
- Defending forwards are now on attack. D are always on offense.
KEY POINTS
- Lots of player movement to open up passing lanes and quick passing.
- Crash the net looking for rebounds after shots.
- Can work on 5v3 set plays as shown.
CONTINUOUS 2V1 BREAKOUT
Julian Giantonio, Salem State University.
DESCRIPTION
- D1 backs in from the blue line then pivots to left or right before picking up puck behind the net to start the break out.
- Forwards start into the zone coming down dot lanes before adjusting their positions to set up to take break out pass.
- Strong side winger, F1, curls to the wall as other F2 plays roll of center, skating low and slow through the low slot.
- D1 passes to F1 or F2 to start breakout and 2v1 against D2.
- Immediately after 2v1, D2 circles in behind his net to retrieve a new puck and start break out the other way.
- D change out after making the break out pass.
KEY POINTS
- Forwards should skate their routes with good timing.
- Can progress to 3v1 and 3v2.
HIGH LOW TIPPER
AJ Walker, Chicago Stallions Hockey.
DESCRIPTION
- F1 passes to D. D walks to middle for a shot.
- F1 goes for high tip, F2 goes for net tip.
- D drops low and then gets into position to defend 2v1 from middle ice.
- After shot, F2 picks up a puck and makes a break out pass to F1.
- F1 and F2 now clear the end zone, skate with the puck through the center ice face off circle and re-attack D 2v1.
KEY POINTS
- Heads up shooting by D. Shoot for a stick with good timing.
- Forwards get your stick on the ice to give D a target.
- Crash the net looking for rebounds after 2v1 shot.
ROONEY 2V0 WITH D SHOT
Larry Rooney, Catholic Memorial School.
DESCRIPTION
- On whistle, D backs up with puck from just inside the blue line, pivots around the cone then steps up to pass to F1 or F2 who have made one complete lap around the middle face off circle before taking pass from the D.
- Fs go 2v0 with a wide entry, shot from outside dot lane then drive for a rebound.
- One F will now sprint to the corner to pass a puck up to the D for a screen/tip shot from the blue line.
KEY POINTS
- Variation: D Quick up sooner then cut across to defend 2v1.
GOALIE ZONE AWARENESS
Sue McDowell, Michigan Girls High School Hockey League.
DESCRIPTION
- Goalie starts at the top of the crease in stance.
- On cue, G skates to either point, shuffles to middle ice then backs to the top of the crease without peaking behind.
- G now skates out to the other point, shuffles back to center and again backs in to the top of the crease using boards, line markings and spatial awareness to find top of the crease.
KEY POINTS
- Build spatial awareness.
- Use boards and line markings to orient your position on the ice.
- If you hit your head on the crossbar while backing up, you have gone too far.
MCDAVID BACKCHECK
Sue McDowell, Michigan Girls High School Hockey League.
DESCRIPTION
- On whistle, white P1 skates in on a breakaway. P1 shoots then turns back up ice quickly to back check against blue P2.
- When puck crosses the offensive blue line, blue P2 skates down through the top of the face off circle before cutting back up ice for a break away under pressure from P1.
- When puck crosses the offensive blue line, P3 skates down through the top of the face off circle and turns back up ice and is joined by P1 to create 2v0 with P2 back checking.
- Continue to 2v2.
KEY POINTS
- Trigger points are offensive blue line when puck crosses it to start next skater and top of face off circle that puck carrier goes through before attacking up ice.
- Play out 2v2 to whistle.
1V1 GAP TRAP
Matthew Desmeules, Waterloo Wolves.
DESCRIPTION
- D1 and D2 start with a puck in the same time.
- F1 receive pass from D1. D1 gaps around the cone and plays short 1v1 against F1.
- F2 skates to the wall for a pass from D2. F2 skates out around the cone with puck and D2 gaps around the cone and plays long 1v1 against F2.
KEY POINTS
- D move up quickly to set a tight gap.
- D try to force forwards outside of the dot lanes into the bad ice.
- D really push the limits to set as tight a gap as possible.
2V0 QUICK UP AND ZONE ENTRY
Zac Rinaldo, Pelham Panthers.
DESCRIPTION
- D1 steps up, pivots backwards and retrieves the puck that F1 chipped behind. F2 opens up to the wall.
- D1 retrieves puck, quick ups to F2 on the wall then jumps into the play.
- F2 passes to F1 coming across the middle then drives the middle lane to the net.
- F1 now drives wide into the offensive zone, curls back below the hash marks and passes back to D1 coming late on the play for a quick shot with F2 screening.
KEY POINTS
- Good timing on routes.
- Good screen technique by forward screening in front.
- After pass to D, forward on the wall drive to the net looking for a rebound.
- Get loud! Call for each pass. Build good habits.
BRUINS 2V2 LONG ICE
Connor Middleton, Edmonton Jr. Oilers.
DESCRIPTION
- D1 makes long pass to F1 who circles up through mid ice circle and comes back 1v1 on D1.
- On whistle D2 makes long pass to F2 who circles up through mid ice as D1 jumps up to attack with F2 as F1 back checks.
- After short 2v2, D1 and F2 jump back the other way.
- Drill continues 2v2 up and down ice. Coach whistles to end attack at one end while starting two new players at the other end. Continuous drill.
KEY POINTS
- Quick transition from defense to offense.
- Excellent conditioning drill.
- Forward must carry puck through the middle ice face off circle before attacking.
