International Ice Hockey Drills A-B – YouTube - Pro

Below is a list of drills for individual, partner and team skills done by pro teams. The list has the name of the drill and the link to a YouTube video of the drill. The list is also on the PDF. attached at the bottom. There is also a PDF. that lists to Forum posting of the drills that have been done so far. The posting has a description, diagram and link to the video posted on this site.

A – Skating, Individual Skills

International Ice Hockey Drills A-B – YouTube - Pro

D-DT-E-F-G Site and YouTube Links - Pro

These practice activities done by pro teams around the hockey world. If you click on the blue link it takes you to the YouTube video.With all of these things that you can save if you like the practice idea. When the title is not blue it is only a YouTube video link.

This posting has D-Games, DT-Transition Games, E-Shootouts and Contests, F-Skating for Fitness, G-Goaltending done by pro teams.

When the title below doesn't have a video link it is a link to a Forum posting when you open the PDF which has a description, diagram and video link as well as a pdf. that can be saved if you want to add the drill to your data base.

T – Team Play Instruction – YouTube - Pro

Tactical Skills: T2 - Second game playing role of Team Offensive Skill. T4 - Fourth game playing role of Team Defensive Skill. T2-4 means both are being taught at the same time.


The first PDF. has links to the YouTube video of the drills and the second has links to the Forum postings which have a description, diagram and video link to this site of each activity. These video clips show how the game is played today with four on the attack, back pressure, strong and weak side pinch, stretch passing, diamond power play, diamond pk with a fall under, middle drive attack and many other ideas.

B4 - D Pass x 3 Point Shot – Pro

Key Points:

Pass while skating, give a target, shoot, rebound, screen and tip. Forward time the skating to be open when the D can pass.

Description:

Players leave from the middle circle and the pucks are just above the top of the circle.

1. D1 on each side get a puck from the coach.
2. F1's stretch to the blue line and F2 swing lower down the middle.
3. D1’s pass to F1’s at the far blue line.
4. F1's touch pass back to F2's who skate in, shoot, rebound, screen.
5. D1’s get another puck and pass to F3 cutting across the middle; F3’s shoot.
6. D1’s get another puck and pass to F1 who has circled back to the far wing.
7. F1’s shoot then get a puck from the corner to pass to D1.
8. D1’s follow F1 and take the pass then drag and shoot.
9. F1-F2-F3 spread across in front to screen, one time or tip a shot pass.

* F1 can also pass then cycle high and down the middle.

https://youtu.be/s7l4jLzFklA

http://www.hockeycoachingabcs.com/mediagallery/media.php?f=0&sort=0&s=20160204094420608

https://www.facebook.com/518555930/videos/pcb.689108791998921/10159339969615931/

ABC's of International Hockey Curriculum: Progressive Scope and Sequence

I have just posted a ridiculous amount of coaching ideas that can be used from beginners to pro. You have to decide which exercises or games are best for your level. Ability is more important than age. Too easy bores and too difficult frustrates.

Suggested Progression:

Beginners-First Two Years of Hockey
A - Introduction to skating, puck handling, shooting.
D - Games mostly SAG.
E - Shootouts and contest.
O - Off-ice should be playing many games to develop athleticism and split vision as well as tumbling.

Third and Fourth Year
A - Skating, shoot, puck handle.
B - Introductory passing.
C - Situation drills. Mostly 1-1, 2-1
D - Games mostly SAG.
E - Shootouts and contests.
G - Goalie basics.
O - Off-ice should be playing many games to develop athleticism and split vision as well as tumbling and games that require decision making. Focus on health related fitness, muscle strength, muscle endurance, cardiovascular fitness, ideal % of body fat, flexibility and continue this at every level.

Fifth and Sixth Year
A - Skating, shoot, puck handle.
B - Passing and partner work.
C - Situation drills 1-1 to 3-3.
D - Games mostly SAG but also full ice scrimmage with rules.
DT - Introduce transition games.
E - Shootouts and contests.
G - Goalie basics crease movement, angles.
T1-T3 - Work on introductory individual offensive and defensive technique.
T2-4 - Introduce team play, breakouts, dzone coverage, forecheck, all based on 1-2-3-4-5 read and react.
O - Off-ice should be playing many games to develop athleticism and split vision as well as tumbling for body awareness and games that require decision making, introduce combatives like wrestling.

Year Seven and Eight
A - Skating, shoot, puck handle.
B - Passing and timing, partner practice ind. offensive and defensive skills.
C - Situation drills 1-1 to 5-5.
D - Games SAG and full ice team play scrimmage.
DT - Transition games.
E - Shootouts and contests.
G - Goalie training.
T1-T3 - Work on individual offensive and defensive technique.
T2-4 - Team play based on 1-2-3-4-5 and power play - penalty killing.
O - Off-ice should be playing many games to develop athleticism and split vision as well as tumbling for body awareness and games that require decision making, combatives like wrestling, competitions that separate the upper and lower body.

Year Nine and Ten (Conventional Wisdom is that it takes ten years to become really proficient at anything and my experience is that this is a true statement.)
A - Skating, shoot, puck handle.
B - Passing and timing, partner practice ind. offensive and defensive skills.
C - Situation drills 1-1 to 5-5.
D - Games SAG and full ice team play scrimmage.
DT - Transition games.
E - Shootouts and contests.
F - Quickness and agility skating.
G - Goalie training
T1-T3 - Work on individual offensive and defensive technique.
T2-4 - Team play based on 1-2-3-4-5 and power play - penalty killing.
O - Off-ice - many sports, begin core training, work on speed, agility, coordination, reaction time and power. Do circuits that use light weights, heavy sticks, Russian Box, competitions that separate the upper and lower body.

Year Eleven and Up
All of the training but learn to do everything at top speed, eliminate extra movement for efficiency. Become a player with 270 degree vision and 360 degree skills. The A and B drills are used for warm-up.

Creating a Practice Plan to Share with Your Team

I use the TC Whiteboard planning template, which is a doc. file. It enables me to copy and paste descriptions and diagrams from the pdf.s.

Practice Planning Template – TC Whiteboard

(sample practice is attached at the bottom)

I use the Word Template from Technicoach. I chose a pdf of the drill or game we will use, then copy and paste it to this template. I am posting a link to folders of pdf's and at the bottom is the word template as well as an up to date list of YouTube links to the same drills. I constantly update both the folders and the YouTube links as they are added to the data base.

https://1drv.ms/f/s!AukXg5gWoW-9hYAFVz7192QVg6jS8Q?e=m21tdx

Practice Word Template is below the list of folders.

Flow of a practice.

Have a Practice Theme with a Learning Progression.

Rotate practice themes between Game Playing Roles: (based on the stage of development as outlined above)
1 - Individual offensive skill.
2 - Team offensive skill.
3 - Individual defensive skill.
4 - Team defensive skill.

- Off-ice dynamic warm-up before practice. No static stretching on the ice at the start of practice as static stretching relaxes the muscles. This should be done off ice after practice.

- Skating edges, balance, puck control to activate both the muscles and nervous system using drills or games.

- Drills to practice the skill.

- Put the lesson learned into a game situation.

- End practice with a shoot-out or contest that goes with the practice theme.

T2-4 Low 3-3 – Pro

Key Points:

Players line up at the top of the circles and play a low 3 on 3. Defender pass to the coach if they get the puck. You can break into two groups and have all of the players attack and defend.

Description:

1. Three forwards vs. two D and one F.
2. Start with the coach passing to one of the attacking forwards.
3. Defenders cover one attacker each and stay on the defensive side.
4. Closest defender be aggressive and have ‘stick on the puck and body on body’ positioning on F1.
5. Second closest be within a stick length of the second attacker F2.
6. Third closest be half way to their F3 and pressure if he gets a pass.
7. Return to the mid-slot if you lose your man.
8. Attackers cycle and change the point of attack by passing behind the net.
9. Attackers rotate so there is always a high F3 ready to shoot or backcheck.

* D1 make the original challenge when the puck is in the corner.

* F1 defend if the puck is at the hash or high slot and D2 start from the slot.

http://www.hockeycoachingabcs.com/mediagallery/media.php?f=0&sort=0&s=20160211085603682

https://youtu.be/7F5CwkD9kF4

https://www.facebook.com/518555930/videos/pcb.688272892082511/10159336977335931/

The progression for 3 on 3 principles practice in this drill transfer to any 3 on 3 SAG or a full ice scrimmage. i.e. Quick transition game of 3 on 3.

B600 - Red-Blue-Red-Blue-Pass-Shoot - Czech U20

Key Points:

Give a target, shoot and follow the shot for a rebound, shoot to score, shoot where the goalie ain’t, shoot where the goalie is coming from and not where he is going.

Description:

A. 1 and 3 leave from diagonal blue lines and skate to the red line and back.
B. 1 and 3 skate forward around the middle circle and get a pass from 2 and 4.
C. 5 and 7 leave, skate up, back around and get passes from 6 and 8.
D. Shoot, follow the shot for a rebound and then rebound for the next shooter.

* Progression is to give and go with the next shooter or defend and play a 1 on 1.

http://www.hockeycoachingabcs.com/mediagallery/media.php?f=0&sort=0&s=20150816224916779

https://youtu.be/7ZvDL71djCw

https://www.facebook.com/518555930/videos/pcb.688291382080662/10159337080455931/

T2-4 - D400 -Low 2-2 – 3-3 - Czech U20

Key Points:

Defenders communicate and keep their head on a swivel to always know where their man and the puck are. Play from the defensive side with the stick on the puck and body on body. The closest defender be in contact with the attacker and the second man within a stick length. On the 3-3 the third defender be halfway to the third attacker. Attackers fight to get on the offensive side and create 2-1’s.

Description:

1. Players wait for their turn above the circles.
2. Start with F1 in the corner with the puck and F2 below the goal line on the far side.
3. D1 faces F1 in the corner and D2 is in front of the net.
4. Play a 2-2 below the circles for about 20”.
5. Switch to 3-3 with F1 again starting in the corner, F2 in front and F3 in the high slot.
6. Defend man on man.
7. Closest defender tight on the puck carrier, second closest within a stick length and third halfway.
8. Defend from the net side, stick on the puck and body on body.
9. Box out and control the stick in front of the net.
10. Attackers create 2-1’s, use give and go passes, protect the puck.
11. Pass behind the net to change the point of attack.

http://www.hockeycoachingabcs.com/mediagallery/media.php?f=0&sort=0&s=20150819083013222

https://youtu.be/8RWPbERrN38

https://www.facebook.com/518555930/videos/pcb.688298228746644/10159337104475931/

B600 2 x One Touch and Stretch Pass - Pro W

Key Points:

Skate while passing and give a target. Time skating to stay onside and accelerate when you get the puck.

Description:

A. 1 and 3 leave from diagonal blue lines, exchange passes with 2 and 4.
B. 2 and 4 pass up the boards to 5 and 7 while 1 and 3 skate for a stretch pass.
C. 5 pass to 1 and 7 pass to 3 who shoot. 2 and 4 repeat.

* Rebound, exchange passes or defend 1-1 with the next shooter.

http://www.hockeycoachingabcs.com/mediagallery/media.php?s=20150518111901483

https://youtu.be/XPuFJBRz8YQ

B202 - Regroup Progression 1-0 - 2-0 - U17

Key Points:

Attack with speed, give a target, follow the shot for a rebound, hit the net, face the puck, pass hard.

Description:

1. Start facing each other from behind the blue lines.
2. A pass to B and C pass to D.
3. A-C follow the pass then open pivot for a pass from B-D and shoot at the original end.
4. A-C follow the shot for a rebound and then rebound for C-D.
5. B-D pass to E-F and repeat the other way.
6. Change the drill so A and C skate to the boards and then across.
7. Now B pass to C and D pass to A who cut into the middle.
8. Switch to 2-0 at each end.
9. A-C pass to B-D who pass across to G-E.
10. A-C skate around the circle to the outside B-C cut through the middle after passing.
11. G pass to A and E pass to C.

* Options: after shooting, screen, rebound, give and go with next group, defend 1-1, 2-1, 2-2.

http://www.hockeycoachingabcs.com/mediagallery/media.php?f=0&sort=0&s=20150820111520857

https://youtu.be/HqSl4lvf5vQ

T2 - Reading Middle Drive Options

We did the 3-0 Attack Options sequence and at the next practice Wally Kozak added two defensemen who varied how they defended. First the players did a rep vs. each defense and next the defenders varied whether they stood up at the blue line, challenged in the neutral zone or backed in and the players had to read the situation. We followed this with a Transition game of continuous 2-1, then 3-2 and progressed to 3-2.

1 - Defenders leave from the blue line and back up with a good gap and no stick. Read is to do Option 1.

2 - Defender stands up at the blue line with the stick upside down, so the attackers read this and do option 2 and force the D to protect the middle by skating inside the dots with the puck and forcing the defender to protect the middle then pass to the player from the middle who crosses behind to the outside.

3. Next the defenders have a stick but give up the blue line and back in. Attackers do Option 3 and the wide man with the puck skate to the middle and decide the drop to the player who takes the ice behind, shoot or pass to the player going to the net.

4. Do Option 4 when the defenders have a good gap and you want to change the point of attack.


T2 B6 3-0 Attack Options – Pro

Key Points:
Go hard to the net without the puck with the stick ready for rebounds or deflections. Stop at the net. Shoot low to the far pad to create rebounds. Attack with speed. Read whether the defense gives you the ice behind or in front of you.

Description:
1. Line up in three rows at the goal like and start with a puck from one side.
2. Pass to the middle then the far wing.

Option 1
Pass middle-wide-shoot from the wing.

Option 2
Pass middle-wide-cross inside and pass wide and enter wide then shoot from the wing.

Option 3
Read the defense has backed in. Gain the zone then cross and drop. Wide wing to the far post and middle player trail.

Option 4
Cross and drop in neutral zone and then pass to the wide wing. Middle drive and shoot.

* The next stage is to get the fourth player joining the attack.

http://www.hockeycoachingabcs.com/mediagallery/media.php?f=0&sort=0&s=2013092315445066

https://youtu.be/iczxajmzhNY

https://www.facebook.com/518555930/videos/pcb.689124255330708/10159340062685931/

C6 - 1-1 x 2 Standing Start – Pro

Key Points:

Forwards use change of pace, dekes to the inside to beat the D. Defenders keep the play to the outside and the gap no more than a stick length. Tie up the attackers stick after a shot before looking for a rebound.

Description:

1. Players start from diagonal corners.
2. Forwards at the hash on the outside and defense at the top of the circle above the dot.
3. Forward attack vs. the D on the whistle.
4. D keep the F to the outside and maintain the defensive side.
5. F use speed and moves to get to the inside and offensive side.
6. If D has good position then flare back and open up to face the F when the puck is past the top of the circles.
7. D then close the gap and make contact along the boards.
8. If the F beats the D wide then build a wall to protect the puck and go to the net.
9. When D gets beat wide the turn to the inside and sprint to the near post to catch the F.

* Ideally the D learns to skate backwards with no cross-overs starting facing the boards and striding backwards.

Pro's:
http://www.hockeycoachingabcs.com/mediagallery/media.php?f=0&sort=0&s=20160307102657114

https://youtu.be/GQgbNmUW6SY

Prospects:
http://www.hockeycoachingabcs.com/mediagallery/media.php?f=0&sort=0&s=20140706173521790

https://www.facebook.com/518555930/videos/pcb.689103141999486/10159339950865931/

B202 - Luhowy Passing - U17

Key Points:

Practice all passes and incorporate balance and puck handling exercises.

Description:

1. Players face each other in groups of 2 to 4 at either end.
2. P1 skate with the puck and pass to P2.
3. Make various kinds of passes.
4. Exchange the puck on the forehand, backhand, one forward, one backward, etc..
5. Practice taking back passes, high passes, fake and pass, etc..
6. Ideally have groups of 4 players with 2 at each end for a good work/rest ratio.

* It is possible to have 6 or 7 groups working at the same time to increase reps and decrease inactivity.

http://www.hockeycoachingabcs.com/mediagallery/media.php?f=0&sort=0&s=20150820111518956

https://youtu.be/lLJlp747ZN4

http://www.hockeycoachingabcs.com/forum/viewtopic.php?showtopic=7239&topic=7633#7633

Coaches, I have been re-organizing the hockey coaching material to eliminate repetition.

You should be able to open the drill videos on Youtube if the links from the site don't work.

Practice Video Clips on YouTube organized according to country or level. i.e. Czech, Pro, Female

http://www.hockeycoachingabcs.com/forum/viewtopic.php?showtopic=7239&topic=7619#7619

The following links take you to the drill pdf.s. One is in alphabetical order according to our coding system and the other have them in separate folders.

ABC PDF's in Alphabetical Order – Updated

http://www.hockeycoachingabcs.com/forum/viewtopic.php?showtopic=6978&topic=7636#7636

PDF Folders of ABC Coded Drills and Games – Dropbox
http://www.hockeycoachingabcs.com/forum/viewtopic.php?showtopic=6978&topic=7637#7637

All of these drills and games are posted in the Forum's on this site and the videos are in the video section. You can use the search function to find any topic and then refine the search if you get too many links.

I know most of the team are done now. The female U18 team I took over last month won our play-off 3-0 and has moved on to the Provincial Championship Tournament starting next Thursday. It is the first team I have coached in a long time with enough talent to have a 50/50 chance to win it all and move on to the Canadian championships.

It has been fun and we have had a good run so far. 8 W 1 L, 28 GF, 11 GA. I have a couple of great asst. coaches in Haley Irwin ( 2 Olympic Gold) and Jessica Wong (Canada U22 Team) and Wally Kozak is our mentor.

T2-4 – D100 – BO-RG-Attack 5-5 - U20

Key Points:

Practice team play using this breakout, attack, defend sequence. Any game situation can be practiced and either carry or dump the puck in to practice various scenarios.

Description:

1. Forwards start at the red line and the defensemen at the far blue line.
2. Forwards skate back to the far blue line, defense to red line and coach dump the puck in.
3. Breakout of the zone and pass the puck to the opposition waiting behind the red line.
4. Attack 5-5 vs. the original group of five.
5. On a goal, frozen puck or successful breakout pass the puck to the coach.
6. Coach dump the puck in for the next unit to breakout then defend.

* This sequence can be used to practice game situations from 3-3 to 6-5.

http://www.hockeycoachingabcs.com/mediagallery/media.php?f=0&sort=0&s=20150819081216876

https://youtu.be/cfoVYYtC4WM