Neutral Zone Regroup Under Pressure allows defencemen to practice passing patterns with some pressure from the coaches.

Featured in the 2022 Global Skills Showcase, this drill from Ilia Khanenko allows players to work on defence puck movement skills.

Description

Player at Center starts play by passing directly to D1 or chipping the puck off of the wall behind him. C1 applies pressure on D1. D1 must read the play and make the correct pass to beat the pressure. The play then moves to the other side.

Key Points

• Shoulder check when pivoting to retrieve a puck.
• Good communication between D partners.
• Smooth pivots and tape to tape passes.
• Players receiving the pass with sticks on the ice facing the passer.
• Coaches vary the pressure from different angles.