Forward, Backward, Sideways Drill

Purpose

Players learn practice handling the puck through a variety of game-type movements.

Setup

• Players set up anywhere on the ice.
• Each player has a puck.

How it Works

1. Coach blows whistle.
2. Players take 5 strides forward while stickhandling the puck.
3. Coach blows whistle.
4. Players take 5 strides backward while stickhandling the puck.
5. Coach blows whistle.
6. Player takes 5 chop steps to the right while stickhandling the puck.
7. Coach blows whistle.
8. Player takes 5 chop steps to the left while handling the puck.
9. Run the drill for 3-5 sets. One set includes each of the progressions listed above.

Coaching Tips

• Look for proper fundamentals – hips bent in athletic fashion, top hand a glove’s length from body, puck should stay in front of body, dribble puck with back heel of blade, front toe of blade moves back and forth in windshield wiper fashion.
• Player’s head should be up, not staring down at the puck.