Defensive Zone Coverage

LEFT SIDE:Players play live 3 on 2. O1 dumps puck in, O3 retrieves puck, and O2 sets up in high slot. Defence set up in front of the net and in the corner. Progress to 5-on-5.

RIGHT SIDE: Coaches pass puck behind the net and players adjust their position accordingly: One Defense in corner with center, other Defense in front of the net, wingers in high slot/point. Stop play with whistle to give feedback to players.

KEY TEACHING POINTS:

HITTING: If throwing a body check make sure you seal the player off and do not get beat 1-on-1.

SUPPORTING (Center): Stay between the puck and the net; quickly find loose puck or take the man if Defense gets beat.

NET ZONE: Defense should have feet pointing up ice scanning for the loose forward. Lock on only when the player becomes a threat.

SLOT ZONE (Wing): Head on a swivel to take away back door pass, support the point.

POINT ZONE (Wing): Head on a swivel taking away any outlet to the point man.

1 on 1 Drills

Option 1:

Basic 1-on-1 with offensive player driving wide on defensive player.

On whistle O (player) and triangle (defenseman) leave with O carrying puck to beat defenseman wide on ice.

1 on 1 Drills

Option 2:

1-on-1 in defensive zone working on angling into corner.

On whistle O leaves from behind net with puck and Triangle angles into corner to pin. O then continues up ice picking up puck and going in for shot on net.

1 on 1 Drills

Option 3:

Continuous 1-on-1 drill that also adds a 2-1 with backchecking component.

On whistle Triangle 1 passes to O1 then skates hard through face off dot to blue line. O1 skates up ice around blueline and back in for 1-on-1.On second whistle Triangle 2 passes to O2 who repeat the play. O1 and Triangle 1 (who have finished their 1-on-1) jump into the play as an extra offensive presence (O1) and a back checker (Triangle 1).

1 on 1 Drills

Option 4:

1-on-1 drill in both ends that starts with a breakout pass. Works on transitional movements for defensemen.

On whistle O1 passes to Triangle 1, O2 passes to Triangle 2. Triangle retreats to goal line while O skates down to face off dot curling towards boards to break out up ice. Triangle skates up ice to top of face off dot before making break out pass, and then heads cross ice to play 1-on-1 with incoming O

1 on 1 Drills

Option 5:

1-on-1 drill with breakout and regroup for second 1-on-1

On whistle Triangle passes to O and heads cross ice to play 1-on-1 with oncoming player from opposite corner. On second whistle O regroups in neutral zone and plays 1-on-1 with defenseman who gave them the breakout pass.

1 on 1 Drills

Option 6:

Players engage in a short drive toward the net.

Forwards line up along the boards while Defense line up at the face off dot. On the whistle the offensive player will attempt to beat the defensive player to the net and score. It is the defensive player’s job to contain him and force him to the outside. After the short drive battle the two players will pass the puck in the far faceoff circle until the next group has gone.

1 on 1 Drills

Option 7:

A long drive variation of the above drill in which players play a 1-on-1 the full length of the ice.

On whistle Forward skates from starting corner behind the net to the opposite corner, picks up a puck, and skates down ice. The defensive player, starting at center, skates forwards towards the boards, taps it, and retreats backwards playing the 1-on-1.This drill can be performed out of opposite corners with players starting at the same time.

1 on 1 Drills

Option 8:

1-on-1 drill that focuses on closing the gap quickly before the blue line.

O1 leaves on whistle to swing low into end zone and receive pass from Triangle 1. O1 returns pass to Triangle 1 and skates towards the boards. Triangle 1 skates towards the inside lane and makes a pass to O1 in the outside lane. O1 curls around faceoff circle, touching the blue line while Triangle 1 closes gap around red line. O1 then comes in 1-on-1 against Triangle 1.

High Tempo Drills

1. High Low Shooting

High Tempo Drills

2. Drive Drill

High Tempo Drills

3. 3-Part Warmup

High Tempo Drills

4. Creating Offense :

High Tempo Drills

5. Creating Offense #2

High Tempo Drills

6. 3-Rush Concepts

High Tempo Drills

7. 3 on 1 Regroup

High Tempo Drills

8. 1v1 Backcheck

High Tempo Drills

9. 2v1 Backcheck

High Tempo Drills

10. 4-Corner Backcheck

High Tempo Drills

11. 1x1 Both Ends

High Tempo Drills

12. 2-Man Drive Passing