Purpose:
To work on defensive gap control and angling, while allowing forwards to practice attacking with speed down the boards after a pass from the coach.

Drill Setup:

1. Coach (Co) stands inside the blue line near the boards with a pile of pucks.
2. Forward (F1) lines up along the boards just outside the blue line.
3. Defence (D1) lines up on the other side of the net with feet on the blue line.

Drill Execution:

1. On the whistle, the coach passes a puck to the forward.
2. As the pass is made, the defenseman activates and begins closing the gap toward the forward.
3. The forward attacks down the boards toward the net, using speed and body positioning to beat the defender.
4. The defence focuses on maintaining a tight gap, steering the forward wide, and preventing a quality scoring chance.
5. Play out until a goal or the D1 skates the puck out

Teaching Points:

• Forwards: Accelerate through the blue line, protect the puck, and drive wide with speed.
• Defence: Maintain stick position, angle toward the boards, and keep tight gap control.
• Both: Read and react to each other’s movements—defender adjusts to speed, forward adjusts to angle.