Purpose:
Players get great practice at receiving, especially while continuing to skate.
Setup:
Two players are grouped together at opposite blue lines. For example, one group of two is at the left side of the first blue line; the other group is at the right side of the second blue line. Across from
the groups of two are single players at the other boards.
How It Works:
- The first players of each group of two skates down the blue line with a puck. They follow the blue line until reaching the center circle.
- At that point, they pass the puck to the person at the opposite end of their blue line.
- The skaters then follow the center circle about 3⁄4 of the way around. They prepare to receive a pass, but not from the player they passed to. They are now closer to the opposite single skater, so they will receive a pass from the person they did not pass to originally.
- Once they receive the pass, they continue around the circle and break toward the goal, taking a shot.
- The players who received the passes then skate to the center circle, making a 3⁄4 rotation just like the first group.
- The second skater from each group of two now passes to the skaters in the middle, who skate around the circle, break down the ice, and take a shot on goal.
- Run the drill for 10-15 minutes.
Coaching Tips:
- Something very important to remember with this drill is that players must pass to where they believe the skater will be going, not to where they currently are.
- Both the passer and the receiver have to pay close attention to their teammates to ensure that the passes are sent and received in the appropriate way.