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Purpose:

This drill is designed to improve passing, especially long passing.

Setup:

The coach has several pucks in the neutral zone. The goalie is in place in front of the net, and there are two players on the sideboards at each side, stationed at center ice.

How It Works:

  • The coach shoots a puck to the goalie, who then places it behind the net. A defender from the left sideboard skates behind the net to pick up the puck.
  • Forward 1, who was on the right sideboard at center ice, skates down the ice toward the defender and the puck.
  • The defender passes the puck to Forward 1 with a short pass. At this point, Forward 1 and the defender should be in the right circle.
  • Forward 1 makes a long pass to Forward 2, who is at center ice on the left sideboard.
  • Forward 2 skates along the left boards and to the left circle.
  • Forward 3, who was on the right sideboard, cuts across the ice to come near Forward 2 in the left circle.
  • Forward 2 passes to Forward 3, who is then positioned for a shot at the net.
  • Run the drill for 10-15 minutes.

Coaching Tips:

  • To make this drill more difficult, the defender and Forward 1 can become forecheckers after finishing their parts. This forces the other forwards to plan for pressure and support each other.
  • Stress to players to make tape-to-tape passes that are clean, on target, and fast.

Tips for Younger Athletes:

  • Emphasize the importance of looking up before making a pass. Young players often focus too much on the puck. Teach them to observe their surroundings and spot their teammate’s position before passing.
  • Practice the fundamentals of receiving a pass. Encourage younger players to cushion the puck on their stick to better control it and prepare for their next move.
  • Work on skating with the puck. Young players need to develop comfort in skating while controlling the puck, ensuring they don’t lose it under pressure.

Tips for Older Athletes:

  • Introduce the concept of deceptive passing. Teach them to use head fakes and body movements to mislead opponents about the pass direction.
  • Focus on the speed of transition from receiving to passing. Older players should work on quickly controlling and releasing the puck, minimizing the time it stays on their stick.
  • Encourage the use of various passing techniques. Depending on the situation, players should be comfortable making saucer passes, backhand passes, and indirect passes off the boards.
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