Warmups are all about simple drills to get the feet and body going before a game. Below are two drills I have done with my team in practice and in the warmup before games.
These drills can be used at any level.
DRILL ONE:
The first drill here is a simple backward-to-forward drill with passing and shooting. This is a rotating drill so each side will rotate through the same drill. Start by dividing the players into two groups and putting each group on different sides of the blueline.
- F1 will start without the puck skating backward to about the top of the circle.
- Once F1 is close to the top of the circle, the next player(F2 in this diagram) in line will make a pass to the backward player(F1).
- When F1 receives the puck from F2, he/she will skate to and around the blueline.
- About halfway across the blueline, the player with the puck will make a cross-ice pass to the first player in line(F3 in this photo).
- F1 will then cut into the high slot area looking for the pass from F3. Once F1 receives the puck back, the player will take a shot and get back in line.
- The drill will then start again, but on the other side, this time with F3 starting backward, receiving the puck from F4.
- The drill will continue and rotate.
DRILL TWO:
Drill two is an easy drill to implement in your warmup or practice plan to work on transition play along the boards and a one-on-one battle.
- All the defenseman will be placed at the blueline, while the forwards will be placed in a line, on the opposite side, by the top of the circle.
- The first defenseman in the line will skate into the zone with a puck and take a shot on goal.
- Once the defenseman takes their shot, they will then go behind the net(where there will be a group of pucks) and grab a puck.
- The first forward in the line will wait for the defenseman to take a shot on net and start creeping to the bottom of the circle. The forward will transition backward opening up for a pass from the defenseman behind the net.
- When the forward receives the pass from the defenseman, the forward will skate up ice and curl back to the offensive zone around the blueline.
- After the defenseman makes the pass to the forward, the defenseman will get in position to defend the oncoming forward with the puck.
- This will end up being a one-on-one.
I hope anyone who sees these drills will maybe add them to their plans! If you have any questions please feel free to reach out.