Supporting his presentation on Puck Protection, Body Positioning and Using a Defender’s Energy, Adam Jonak shares this five progression drill to work on the basics of puck protection.

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Inside the Circle Puck Protection Warm Up

Description:

Progression 1: Side-to-side puck movement.

• Player protects the puck on both sides of the body while standing still.

Progression 2: Side-to-side puck movement with defender reads.

• Player uses shoulder checks to read where the opponent is and protect the puck.

Progression 3: Side-to-side puck movement with defender stick reads.

• Player reads their opponents stick and works to protect the puck.

Progression 4: Puck protection without skating.

• Player works to absorb the energy of the opponent to move without skating.

Progression 5: Keep away game.

• Combining all four progressions, the player works to protect the puck within the circle.

Key Teaching Points:

• Maintain the defender on your hip to control their movement.
• Continuously scan the ice to be aware of the defender's positioning.
• Interpret the defender's stick movements to anticipate their actions.
• Utilize the defender's momentum to your benefit by absorbing their pressure.
• Utilize good body positioning to guide the defender where you desire.
• Protect the puck using your body as a shield.