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Purpose:

This half-ice drill incorporates a breakout pass, a 2-on-1 offense, and passing practice.

Setup:

You need several pucks behind the goalie net. You also need a goalie, several skaters lined up along both sideboards as forwards and a small group of defensemen in the corner.

How It Works:

  • A defenseman from the corner skates behind the net to pick up a puck.
  • He then passes it to the first forward in line along the sideboard.
  • That forward, now with the puck, skates up the ice, as does his counterpart on the left sideboard.
  • The forward with the puck makes a short, quick pass to the other forward.
  • The two forwards then crisscross each other, skating down the ice back toward the goalie.
  • The defenseman who originally had the puck defends against them as they create a 2-on-1 scenario.
  • After the forwards take a shot at the goalie with the defenseman defending, the forwards join the group of defensemen and the defenseman joins a line of forwards.
  • At this time, the drill starts over.
  • Run the drill for 8-12 minutes.

Coaching Tips:

  • This is a good warm-up drill before a game, as well as a good educational drill for regular use in practice.
  • For this drill to be run successfully, the two forwards must have their heads up and know where the other is at all times – especially during the crisscross and passing parts of the drill.
  • Halfway through the drill you can switch which corner you have the defensemen in or you can start the drill by setting up small groups of defensemen in both corners and alternating which side goes.

Tips for Younger Athletes:

  • Stress the importance of stick handling with their heads up. This is crucial for developing awareness on the ice and aids in making effective passes and shots.
  • Teach the fundamentals of receiving a pass while in motion. Encourage them to cushion the puck with their stick to maintain control.
  • Focus on the basics of skating technique during the crisscross movement. Proper crossovers and balance are essential for maintaining speed and agility.

Tips for Older Athletes:

  • Emphasize precision in breakout passes. Older players should practice delivering accurate and crisp passes to ensure effective transitions from defense to offense.
  • Work on timing and decision-making during the 2-on-1 scenario. Players should learn to read the defender’s position and decide whether to pass or shoot based on the best scoring opportunity.
  • Introduce advanced defensive techniques for the defenseman in the drill. This includes positioning to cut off passing lanes and using the stick effectively to disrupt the forwards’ play.
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