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Purpose:

Players stop the clearing and then make a pass to a teammate entering the offensive zone.

Setup:

Players form two lines – one behind the net and one at the blue line. You can run this drill on both sides of the ice to get more reps in.

How it Works:

  • Coach blows his whistle or says “Go” to start.
  • Player behind the net clears the puck out along the boards.
    Player behind the net then breaks out to receive a return pass down the center of the ice.
  • Player at blue line stops the puck along the boards and passes it to player who has come out from behind the net and is skating down the ice.
  • Run the drill for 5-10 minutes.

Coaching Tips:

  • Make sure the player along the boards is knowing the puck down, gaining control of it and then making a good, hard, accurate pass to the middle.
  • This is an important skill for your players to master as this is often how breakouts start. A player attempts a clear, another player knocks it down and then makes a pass through the middle to a player that has momentum through the zone

Tips for Younger Athletes: 

  • Focus on proper body positioning when stopping the puck along the boards to maintain balance and control. 
  • Emphasize using short, quick strides when skating to the middle to receive the pass to increase speed and agility.
  • Encourage keeping their heads up to be aware of their surroundings and potential passes.

Tips for Older Athletes: 

  • Practice receiving the puck with a soft touch to ensure smooth control and transition. 
  • Work on quick decision-making to reduce the time between stopping the puck and making the pass. 
  • Reinforce the importance of communication with teammates to coordinate movements and passes effectively.
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