Breakout with Forecheckers Drill

Purpose:
Teaches players basic passing and receiving skills.

Setup:
Place 7 cones down the center of the ice from one goal line to the other. Each player gets a puck.

How It Works:

The coach begins by shooting the puck to the corner.
The defenseman retrieves the puck in the corner and skates behind the net as the forechecker moves in to slow his progress.
The defenseman then skates toward center ice if he can break free of the forechecker. If the forechecker is following too closely, the defenseman passes to the center, who is near the boards in the defensive zone.
The center then passes quickly to the wing, who is already in the neutral zone. The wing pushes up the ice and into offensive territory.
If the defenseman can get away from the forechecker, he can pass either to the center or to the wing, who is in the neutral zone.
If the center receives the puck, he passes quickly to the wing. The wing then pushes up the ice in order to take a shot.
Run the drill for 5-10 minutes.

Coaching Tips:

The defenseman should alternate passes to practice both long and short passes. The ability to bypass the center and pass directly to the wing may confuse the opponent and allow your team more time for regrouping and moving up the ice.
Players should also focus on being disciplined when passing, because anything other than accurate passes leaves the door open for the forechecker to steal the puck in front of the net, giving him an easy scoring opportunity.

Tips for Younger Athletes:

Encourage younger players to keep their heads up and constantly scan the ice while controlling the puck. This awareness helps them make better decisions on whether to pass or carry the puck further.
Teach the importance of quick and accurate stickhandling. Young players should practice keeping the puck close to their stick, which makes it harder for forecheckers to steal.
Focus on the fundamentals of receiving a pass, such as keeping the stick blade flat on the ice and cushioning the puck upon contact. This basic skill ensures smoother transitions during the play.

Tips for Older Athletes:

For older, more experienced players, emphasize the use of deceptive maneuvers such as shoulder drops or head fakes before passing. This can create more space and time by misleading the forechecker.
Encourage them to practice quick pivots and agile movements, especially when retrieving the puck. This agility helps in evading forecheckers effectively.
Stress the significance of strong and precise breakout passes. Older players should work on passing with enough speed to reach their teammates but controlled enough to be easily received, reducing the risk of turnovers.