Tournaments during practice give the players a chance to practice skills while they compete. Create games with rule modifications that work on skills you want your team to focus on.This was a 90' practice. First 40' skill and team play drills and the last 50' a tournament. With a shorter practice simply do fewer drills or even limit it to a short goalie warm-up.

Practice Tournament

Notes:
Pass, receive, get open, skate inside pass Outside, screen, one timers, point shots, Plays behind the net. Puck support Scoring compete, Tournament

10’
B Warm-up Circuit F Pass D Shoot Goalie Technique - Czech U20

Key Points:

Face the puck, hands away from the body, stick blade square to the puck, wind-up early for the one timer, give a target, learn to shoot pucks that are not in the wheel house and hit the net.

Description:

1. Forwards one touch pass in the neutral zone.
2. Each 3 man line take 10” skating in the middle and the other lines pass from the blue lines.
3. One touch pass to any of the players and always face the puck.
4. Goalies work on technique with the goalie coach at one end.
5. Defensemen work on one timer and quick shots at the other end.
6. Defensemen take 4 one timer or quick shots at a time.
7. D1 skate toward D2, exchange passes and shoot while skating backward.
8. Alternate sides after 4 shots with D3 shooting and D4 passing.

*Take quick snap shots when on the wrong side for a one timer.

*Alternate sides on point shots if there is a goalie and shoot from both sides if there isn't a goalie.

http://www.hockeycoachingabcs.com/mediagallery/media.php?f=0&sort=0&s=20151004110338738



10’
B6 1-0, 2-0, 3-0 Small Horseshoe

Key Points:

This is a great timing drill with good flow for early in the practice. Pass hard and get your top hand away from your body. Call for the pass. Give your stick and skates as a target.

Description:

1. Skate to the top of the circle and pass.
2. Continue and get a pass from the other end.
3. 2-0 first player passes and swings wide and second player skates into the middle lane. Pass to the player in the middle.
4. Player in the middle one touch the puck up to the wide man. Stay onside.
5. Shoot and go for the rebound.
6. On the 3-0 the third player goes up the boards and enters as the high man. Add a trailer pass to the high man as the first shot.

http://www.hockeycoachingabcs.com/mediagallery/media.php?s=20120301081936833

10’
C3 - Double Regroup-One Touch- 2-1 - Russian U20

Key Points:

Stick square to the puck, hands away from the body and head up. Face the puck and keep the feet moving. Make the first play early on the 2-1. D keep the play to one side so it is a 2-2 with the goalie.

Description:

1. F1-F2 leave and regroup with D1.
2. F1-F2 make a second regroup with D2.
3. F1-F2 attack 2-1 vs. D1.
4. F3-F4 leave and regroup with D2.
5. F3-F4 make a second regroup with D3.
6. F3-F4 attack 2-1 vs. D2.
7. Continue this flow.

*This double regroup organization can be used 1-0, 2-0, 3-0, 1-1, 2-1, 3-1, 2-2, 3-2 or instead of a second regroup dump the puck in and breakout then attack.

http://www.hockeycoachingabcs.com/mediagallery/media.php?f=0&sort=0&s=20150803094619367

10’
C2 5-0 BO, RG x 2, 5-2 - U15 Boy's

Key Points:

Defense hinge and forwards support from each lane and give a target. One D join the attack. Play 5-2 until the play has ended. Make it a contest and keep score.

Description:

1. Start with the forwards dumping the puck deep in the zone.
2. Breakout 5-0.
3. Two opposition D follow the play and skate backward in the neutral zone.
4. Regroup with the opposition D.
5. D hinge and either pass to the forwards or feign a turn-over by passing to the attacking D.
6. Original D hinge and regroup with their forwards.
7. Attack 5 on 2 until a goal, frozen puck or breakout.
8. Original attacking D defend the next rush.

• Option is to add a second breakout instead of the regroup.

• Lloyd Percival called 5 on 2 the ‘Magic Drill.’

• Option two: add a time limit, i.e. 10 seconds to score to create offensive urgency.

http://www.hockeycoachingabcs.com/mediagallery/media.php?f=0&sort=0&s=20150310121518845

60’ Tournament 4 teams of 4, 2 blue 2 white Game One: Record winner after each game.

10'
D4 Two Pass – Goals must come from one touch or one timers.

Key Points:

My favorite game to warm up the players at the start of practice. The quicker they make the passes after regaining the puck the more scoring chances they produce.. The game is the template and then you can add skill or good habit rules to practice 'How to Play the Game.'

Description:

1. Players must stay inside the blueline and if they puck goes out the other team gets it.
2. Before scoring the offensive team must make at least two passes.
3. When the defenders regain the puck they must make at least two passes before a shot.
4. Make rules with skills for skating, shooting, passing or good habits.

http://www.hockeycoachingabcs.com/mediagallery/media.php?s=20111005184904487

10’
D4 Two Active Jokers Behind the Net

Key Points:

Jokers must learn to protect the puck and make plays on their own or passes. Everyone learns to play low in the zone on offense and defense.

Description:

1. Each team has two low jokers.
2. Jokers can check Jokers.
3. Jokers can score.
4. Jokers can skate out to the face-off lines.
5. Jokers must touch the puck to score.
6. Jokers rotate on their own.
7. Vary between 1 or 2 Jokers and 1 to 4 out players.

10’
D1 One Pass in Each Zone

Key Points:

Close support, skate to open ice with the puck, give a target.

Description:

1. Play full ice either in shifts or all on the ice at once.
2. There must be at least one pass made in each zone. If not the other team gets the puck.
3. Controlled scrimmage so everyone stop on the whistle for coach input.
4. With shifts in a D100 game pass back to the goalie on the whistle.

http://hockeycoachingabcs.com/mediagallery/media.php?f=0&sort=0&s=2011032414361323

10’
D100 Two Second Game

Key Points:

Players must switch right away from offense to defense to loose puck and constantly change roles from, 1-puck carrier, 2-puck support, 3-check puck carrier, 4-cover away from the puck.

Description:

1. Play a full ice game of 3-3, 4-3, 4-4, 5-4, 5-5, 6-5 with the extra players on the bench.
2. Play 45" shifts and pass back to your goalie when the coach whistles for a change.
3. Players can only have the puck for 2" and must make a play, gain a zone or shoot.
4. Possession from first touching the puck for over 2" leave the puck for the other team.
5. Encourage talking, facing the puck, always give a target.

*Don't blow the whistle if they have started shooting. Start time when the goalie gets puck. Keep score and losing or winning have a consequence.

10’
E1 2-0 Change on Go Shootout

Key Points:

The main goal of this shootout is for the goalies to battle and never give up on shots. It is more realistic if only one pass per shot is allowed but if the goal is for the goalie to battle put no restrictions on the shooters.

Description:

1. Half the team in each box and as many pucks on the blue line as the number of the largest team.
2. Two players leave from the box, get a puck from the blue line and shoot until they score.
3. After scoring race back and touch the player box gate so the next two can leave.
4. First team to score all the pucks wins.
5. Losers do a chore or exercise.

http://www.hockeycoachingabcs.com/mediagallery/media.php?f=0&sort=0&s=20121109085854143

Record winner after each game. Win 2 pts. Tie 1 pt. Loss 0 pts.
Total the score at the end of practice and the Winning team gets a bag of Halloween candy.

A500 - Two Puckhandle vs Coach x 4 – Pro

Key Points:

This is an Overspeed puck protection drill. Use tight turns, hard fakes and always protect the puck.

Description:

1. Group of 4 players and one coach at each circle.
2. Two players go at a time and handle the puck for 10” inside the circle.
3. This is an overspeed drill and the players skate hard with tight turns and always protect the puck.
4. Next two players start right away on the whistle.

* This same organization could be used to practice passing while always facing the puck.

* The players could rotate in and be the passive checker if there aren't enough coaches.

http://www.hockeycoachingabcs.com/mediagallery/media.php?s=20150719104729566

https://youtu.be/ySFdeZAtOQA

B6 - Shot 1-0, 2-0 to 3-0 – Pro

Key Points:

Skate at top speed, always follow the shot for a rebound, fill the lanes on the 3-0 and make firm flat passes.

Description:

1. Players line up with pucks along the boards in the neutral zone and in diagonal corners.
2. Player one leave from the neutral zone and take a shot on net.
3. Player two skate out from the corner with a puck and attack the other net 2-0.
4. Player three skate out with a new puck and attack 3-0 with players one and two.
5. When 1-2-3 cross the blue line player four start a new rep and skate from the neutral zone and take a shot.

* Middle drive when 3-0.

* One or two defenders could follow the attacks and create situations like 2-1, 3-2.

* This could be a contest between attackers and goalies. i.e. Count how many goals are scored in 8-10’ and see if you can do better next time you do it. Another option is the Red versus the Blue and keep score. Option 3 is go 1-0, 2-1, 3-2 (Red D follow Blue F and defend the next rush) Red vs. Blue with the same contest options.

http://www.hockeycoachingabcs.com/mediagallery/media.php?s=201505161353324

https://youtu.be/45ZT3KqXxxE

This is a much more aggressive attack than we see in North America. One of the D is always up as an attacker and the other supports from the point. When this happens the forward covering the point must cover the attacking D or the defense is outnumbered in the zone. On a turn-over the D simply has to beat the defending forward back to the zone.
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C3 - Continuous Regroup 4-2 - RB Pro

Key Points:

One D join the attack and one D stay back. Forwards create a 2-1 vs. one of the D. Attack with a middle drive and cycle in a triangle.

Description:

1. Players leave from both sides in the neutral zone.
2. F1-F2 regroup with D1-D2.
3. Attack 4-2 versus D3-D4 and play until the whistle.
4. F3-F4 regroup with D5-D6 and attack 4-2 versus D1-D2.
5. Continue this flow.

* If D1 moves in from the point then D2 slide back. Always one D up in the play.

http://www.hockeycoachingabcs.com/mediagallery/media.php?s=20150627152757833

https://youtu.be/C-eZ-5KSj5o

https://www.facebook.com/518555930/videos/pcb.682394316003702/10159317495530931/

B4 - One Timer-BO 2-0 Wide Entry - U20

Key Points:

Skate between the dots if possible when you get a pass. Middle player fill the wide lane. Pull the defenders to the inside and do a wide entry. First player over the blue line with the puck go hard to the net. Shoot low to the far side to pass off the goalies pad. Always stop at the net for rebounds.

Description:

1. Player 1 leave from each end and one time a pass from the coach.
2. Player 2 leave from the blueline with a puck and cross and drop the puck to player 1.
3. Player 1 skate to the 'Big Ice' between the dots.
4. Player 2 cross in front to the wide lane.
5. Player 1 pass to 2 who does a wide entry into the offensive zone.
6. Attack 2-0 and player 2 makes a 'Pass of the Pads' to player 1.
7. Player 1 be ready to score off the rebound.

*Option: Give 5” for 1-2 to score to promote jumping on loose pucks and making a play.

http://www.hockeycoachingabcs.com/mediagallery/media.php?f=0&sort=0&s=20151121084706735

https://www.facebook.com/518555930/videos/pcb.682521229324344/10159317895955931/

https://youtu.be/IHtwhev_KBU

C6 - Low 1-1 x 2 – Pro

Key Points:

Defend from the net side. Stick on the puck and tight gap. Attacker make quick hard fakes, shot and follow the shot.

Description:

1. Players are at both circles in the defensive zone.
2. D1 start inside the circle and one touch a pass back to F1 at the edge of the circle.
3. F1 attack 1-1 and try to score vs. D1.
4. Coach whistle when the play is over.
5. D1 repeat and play 1-1 with F2 from the same circle.
6. D2 repeat from the other circle defending vs. F3 then F4.

* This could be a contest with one colour vs. the other.

http://www.hockeycoachingabcs.com/mediagallery/media.php?f=0&sort=0&s=20151123161126797

https://youtu.be/p3hTjruC2LQ

https://www.facebook.com/518555930/videos/pcb.683202159256251/10159319483375931/

T - Mission Impossible

Key Points:

Create challenging tasks that get progressively more difficult. I taught over 25, 000 PE classes in my career and this was the most popular activity. We did it as a role playing game and half were guards and the other have trying to escape from a prisoner of war camp. Everyone had to be silent and if the prisoner failed the guard said bang and they had to go back. It made it more fun to have the story attached but in a hockey practice you wouldn’t have to do this. It was such a popular activity that at noon intramural time there would be kid’s from grade 1 to grade 9 playing at the same time.

Description:

1. Have the players line up and do various skill tasks.
2. If they are successful they go to the next station. If they fail they have to go back to the start.
3. Have two teams that get between 5-10 minutes to go through while the other team judges each station. Compete to see which team has the most players finish the circuit.
4. Another alternative is to have coaches be the judges and all the players do it.

This is a link to many pictures of kid's doing Mission Impossible in PE class and Intramurals. They absolutely loved it.

https://1drv.ms/f/s!FukXg5gWoW-9iF1xR3kzTUVVdiFIRSQM?e=FD38xM

Pentalty Killing Principles

I am re-posting these ideas about Penalty Killing. It seems that all teams now do the Fall Under where the weak side player vs. a 1-3-1 covers the player in the middle. I was at a game vs. Washington and the pk let Ovechkin take 4 one timers from his off witng and then did the same with Stamkos. Needless to say it didn't seem like a good idea.

Instead the defenders should be in a diamond with the player on top not much farther than the top of the circles with his legs in front of the shot. Never chase a pass to the side but stay in the middle and drop down to their player in the middle of the 1-3-1 and allow the F and D on the sides to get in front of the shooter and the D in front to box out. So the middle high man goes up and down from the goal out. Be aggressive unless the pp has total control facing the play.

Skate from the net out and don't chase passes to the side but stay on the puck carrier if he skates with it. Here is a posting I made a few years ago. I still play hockey with the same group on M-W morning.
-------------------------------------------------------------

A couple of days ago I asked Bob Murdoch, former two time Stanley Cup winning player and Coach
of the Year in the NHL and Germany if he would discuss his thought on specialty teams with me. Last
year I was coaching with Pierre Page and he used a very aggressive PK that they used together as
assistants on the Flames. So I wanted to compare their ideas. Mud agreed to meet with me and we
went to an empty dressing room after our over 55 morning game and I listened for an hour.

http://hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=3847 is his hockey db profile and he played for
legends like Fr. Bauer, Scotty Bowman and coached with Bob Johnson who he thing was the best
teacher.

So here are the thoughts that we talked about and drew on the coaching board.

Penalty Killing:

Murdoch has gone away from the ultra aggressive penalty kill rotation that Pierre uses with the Red
Bulls. He thinks it works great if all 4 players move together every time but if they don’t rotate or
over rotate then it leave players open in scoring positions.

Scoring Area: (diagram in attached pdf.)

Guidelines:

- The goal of penalty killing is to protect the front of the net and keep the puck to the outside.

- Go to the puck “through the net” in a straight line. Pads denying the shot and stick on the
ice in a dangerous passing lane.

- Be aggressive with the stick on the puck if you can arrive at the same time or before the
puck or if the attackers back is turned and he/she doesn’t have complete puck control.

- The closest player always challenge with the stick on the ice, skating in a straight line
while the other players rotate.

Always
1. one player rotate to the front of the net
2. one on the puck,
3. one denying the slot pass but ready to move to a short passing option.
4. farthest player with the stick in the dangerous passing lane and usually has the 2-1.

- When they pass away drop down into the scoring area with the stick on the ice denying passes across or into the scoring area. Prevent passes through the slot.

- Penalty Killing vs the Slot Set Power Play.
-
- Don’t get tied up with players, you must be free to rotate. Take their stick when the puck is coming don’t wrestle them.
- Don’t finish checks on the pk. It takes you out of the play and you can’t rotate.
- Skate in straight lines up and back and Don’t Chase to the Outside.
- D should not go to the point.
- Don’t rotate positions but challenge the puck and then drop back into the slot area.
- Drop back quickly so they can’t pass behind you. It is the most dangerous play.

I will post the pk vs. Diamond tomorrow.

Diagrams in the pdf. describe this.

This is the Czech U20 team that came to Calgary to practice and play a tournament with two teams from Canada and the Russians. Them and the Russians practiced at the Edge School just outside of Calgary. This is a short clip that I took just as I got there and caught the end of the individual warm-up. Petr Svoboda, who played for Toronto coached their defense. I worked with him in the Czech Republic doing a hockey camp and also mentored him in his practice plans for his team. The club offered me a job as coach mentor. Petr coached the Czech U17 team that came to Calgary for a Christmas tournament and has taken the top certification now and is with their U20 team. Great guy. He let me know he was coming and I attended all their practices and have posted a lot of the drills with them and the Russians here.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

B5 - Breakout Reps - Czech U20

Key Points:

Defense go through the options for picking up a dump in. Shoulder check one way, fake, hard strides with the puck. It is great to put the players in charge of their own development. Instead of being robots they have to think of the options, good habits and skills required and then do them on their own.

Description:

1. Defense at one end and alternate options when they go back for a puck.
2. Shoulder check, fake turn right, left, counter, wheel.
3. The D to D options; over, reverse can also be done.

http://www.hockeycoachingabcs.com/mediagallery/media.php?f=0&sort=0&s=20150816212955269

https://youtu.be/-SvkPcX-6-M

https://www.facebook.com/518555930/videos/pcb.683929999183467/10159321673595931/

F - Agility Skating - RB Pro 2

Key Points:

Stay low and turn the inside shoulder into the turn. Keep the feet moving and open the hips in the backward pivot.

Description:

1. Nets are in the corners.
2. Two players skate around a net with a tight circle then a bigger circle and hard to the blue line.
3. Repeat in the other direction around the net in the other corner.
4. Defensemen skate from the blue line backward at a 45 degree angle.
5. Pivot to the inside to a glove in the middle at the top of the circles.

http://www.hockeycoachingabcs.com/mediagallery/media.php?f=0&sort=0&s=20150709225531745

https://www.facebook.com/518555930/videos/pcb.684697315773402/10159324322415931/

https://youtu.be/_tVruu5SoMQ

T1 - A500 - Puck Control and Protection Circuit - U17

Key Points:

Shield the puck with the back and inside leg. Come out of the tight turns in the triple threat position. Only cross the hands when there is no defender, instead put the bottom had down on the shaft and sit low.

Description:

1. Station A puck protection.
2. Players leave from the blue line and protect the puck.
3. One coach push them with a blocking pad and another coach give passive resistance with the stick on the puck.
4. Walk out and take a shot and stop for the rebound.
5. Station B defensemen agility skate and shoot.
6. Pivot between forward and backward skating then shoot from the mid-point.
7. Station C agility skating in the neutral zone with a puck.
8. Make tight turns both ways around pylons.
9. Protect the puck from the coach and finish around pylons.

http://www.hockeycoachingabcs.com/mediagallery/media.php?f=0&sort=0&s=20150820120805199

https://youtu.be/58MXn5KgiR0

https://www.facebook.com/518555930/videos/pcb.684752992434501/10159324540505931/

D200 - 3-3 - Czech U20

Key Points:

This is a small area game and good habits like facing the play with and without the puck are crucial. Everyone should cover one player on defense and give close support on offense. Take at least 3 quick strides to open ice when you get the puck and continually create offensive 2-1’s. Give a target and get open.

Description:
1. Play a cross ice game of 3 on 3.
2. Extra players line up along the blue line.
3. Take 30" shifts and pass to a teammate coming on when the whistle blows.
4. Extra players hold the puck in and coach only shoot in a new puck when the puck is out of play.
5. Keep Score!!

* Option: Allow passes to team mates on the blue line.

* Option 2: Both teams skate behind their own net when they come on.

http://www.hockeycoachingabcs.com/mediagallery/media.php?f=0&sort=0&s=20150816231812311

https://www.facebook.com/518555930/videos/pcb.685381252371675/10159326784625931/

https://youtu.be/-7jWT9A509g

Wally Kozak does a great job teaching puck support to U15 boy's. They start with 3-0 one touch passing and moving, then a defender is added and they get 3 chances to score. Another attacker and defender join and they play 4-2 one touch. Next they play a transition game of 2-2 with one Joker at the top of the circles. You must pass to the Joker to be on offense. They finish with two Jokers at the point and the Jokers can pass to the team that regrouped with them or shoot.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

DT400 – 3-0, 3-1, 4-2 Puck Support Sequence – U15 Boy’s

Key Points:

Wally Kozak takes U15 boy’s through a puck support sequence. The key is to pass and get open, give a target, have your head up so you can make the next pass, skate to open ice when you get the puck.

Description:

1. Start with 3 players one touching the puck around a triangle in the slot and shooting.
2. Add one defender and allow only one touch.
3. One point for a goal and defenders get a point when the puck is out of play.
4. Offense gets 3 new pucks.
5. Rotate new player in and continue 3-1.
6. Play 4-2 one touch.
7. Shoot when there is an open lane to the net.
8. Focus on players moving to get open.
9. Play a two touch game of 2-2 and to go on offense pass to the one Joker above the circles.
10. Add another Joker at the point. Regroup with a Joker to go onto offense.
11. Low 2 on 2 with 2 Jokers.

http://www.hockeycoachingabcs.com/mediagallery/media.php?f=0&sort=0&s=20150104172708560

https://www.facebook.com/518555930/videos/pcb.685397039036763/10159326876675931/

https://youtu.be/lfhl7NVLcBw

T2-4 - D400 3-2 - Czech U17

Key Points:

Battle hard for the loose puck. Defense and goalie must communicate and D must play from the defensive side. Forwards should double team along the boards to gain the puck and cycle to create openings as well as change the point of attack by passing behind the net.

Description:

1. Start with D1-D2 on the Goal line and F1-F2-F3 at the top of the circles.
2. D's skate to the dots and coach dump the puck in.
3. F1-2-3 and D1-2 battle for the loose puck.
4. Play a low 3-2.
5. Play until a goal, frozen puck or D carries the puck over the top of the circles.

http://www.hockeycoachingabcs.com/mediagallery/media.php?f=0&sort=0&s=20130404160031959

https://youtu.be/vZ8hkQfdBuI

https://www.facebook.com/518555930/videos/pcb.686035068972960/10159329104665931/

E1 - 2-0, 3-0 x 2 SO Game – U18 F

Key Points:
Use many variations on the 2-0. One timers, cross and drop, drop and screen, fake pass and shoot, etc..

Description:
There is one point for every goal and each contest gets 20".

A - 1 and 2 attack 2-0 from each line-up.
B - If both teams score each team gets a point and 3-4 go on the next whistle.
C - If only one team scores then they race across to defend and steal the puck from the other team and try to score.
D - Scoring team gets a point.
E - 20" next rep.
F - First team to 20 wins.

The game is from a university practice and the video is from a U18 F team.
http://www.hockeycoachingabcs.com/mediagallery/media.php?f=0&sort=0&s=2016092511071521

https://youtu.be/ss-rEHpfr5w

https://www.facebook.com/518555930/videos/pcb.686046562305144/10159329134515931/