Delay to Protect uses a variety of skills in combination and is a good challenge for more experienced players. Encourage players to keep the puck on the outside of the cones to emulate puck protection.
Description
Coach draws a line to mark the start of the drill and sets 3 cones. One near the upper corner of the drill, another near middle hashmarks and one near the top of the circle close to the boards.
Players line up at the barriers at the top of the drill behind the line.
On the whistle player skates backwards with the puck towards the first cone performing a transition forward there.
The player delays at the next cone (turns towards the barriers) and skates back towards the line.
While passing the coach player protects the puck by keeping it away from the coach.
They then go around the last cone and take a shot on net.
Players return to line along the boards.
Key Points
Player should turn their head as they enter the turn towards the next cone to initiated the change in direction.
Ensure players use proper puck handling technique:
- Grip
- Rolling wrists
- Puck in front
- Using heel of stick
Puck should go around the cones first.
Have players accelerate out of the turn.
Encourage players to have their head up to look.
Ensure players get to turn in both directions.
