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Purpose:
Defenders work on rimming the puck, passing it and shooting it.

Setup:
Three defenders line up along the blue line.

How It Works:
1. Coach shoots the puck into the corner.
2. Defenseman 1 skates backward from the blue line. He then pivots, skates forward and gets the 
puck. 

3. He then rims it around the boards. 

4. Defenseman 2 steps in and stops the puck at the blue line. 

5. He then passes to Defenseman 3 who shoots. 

6. Players rotate after each shot. 
Run the drill so each set of three players gets three reps. One rep is when all three players on the 
ice have shot. 


Coaching Tips:

  • Look for accurate passes and good hard shots with the proper shot-taking fundamentals and follow-through.
  • Emphasize the importance of controlling the puck during the rimming process. The puck should be sent around the boards with enough speed to reach the second defenseman but controlled enough to keep it in play.
  • Focus on the skating technique, especially the backward-to-forward pivot of Defenseman 1. This movement should be smooth and quick to effectively retrieve the puck.
  • Teach players to be aware of their position relative to other players and the puck. Proper positioning is crucial for receiving the rimmed puck and making an effective pass or shot.

Tips for Younger Athletes:

  • Younger players should focus on the basics of making accurate and controlled passes. Encourage them to practice passing with both forehand and backhand.
  • Younger players often struggle with retrieving the puck from the boards. Include drills that focus specifically on this skill to improve their confidence and ability.
  • Stress the importance of working as a team. Each player’s role is crucial in the drill’s success, so they must understand how their actions contribute to the team’s overall performance.

Tips for Older Athletes:

  • Challenge older players to execute the drill at a higher speed while maintaining accuracy in their passes and shots. This simulates game-like conditions and improves their reaction time.
  • Teach older players to vary their shots. Depending on the game situation, they should know how to take quick snapshots, slapshots, or wrist shots effectively.
  • In addition to offensive skills, use this drill to reinforce defensive positioning. After rimming the puck or making a pass, players should quickly transition to a defensive stance, ready to react to the next play.

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