Hockey Skills & Drills

Follow the Pass

Full ice, two-sided. Lines along each goal line; the front player at the boards passes first. Catch at cone 3, drive, shoot, and join the other line.

• Full ice
• Passing
• Shooting

Low-to-high

Low-to-High: D Shot

Half-ice zone entry. Carry in, drive to the dot, curl toward the boards, and pass up to the D. The D shoots and the forward drives the net.

• Half ice
• Zone entry
• Passing
• Shooting
• Defence

Low-to-high

Low-to-High: Give-and-Go

Same zone entry. After the low-to-high pass, the D gives it back to the forward cutting the slot, and the forward shoots.

• Half ice
• Zone entry
• Passing
• Shooting
• Defence

Low-to-high

Low-to-High: D-to-D

Same zone entry. The bottom D passes across to the top D, the top D shoots, and the forward screens.

• Half ice
• Zone entry
• Passing
• Shooting
• Defence

1 Up / 1 Down

Corner 1v1. On 'Go' the D touches the goal line and the F touches the blue line. The coach puts the puck in, the F attacks for a shot and a rebound, and the D gaps up and angles.

• Defence
• Small-area game

Olympic Breakout to 2-on-1

A half-ice drill with three players: one D, a winger and a centre. The D gets the coach's rim and passes to the winger on the wall, who hits the centre curling low, and the forwards carry it up to the blue line while the D gaps up. The centre makes a tight turn around the cone on the blue line, the winger turns too, and they come back in on a 2-on-1 against the same D. Waiting lines stand in the neutral zone.

• Half ice
• Breakout
• Passing
• Shooting

Zone Exits: Bounce Pass

Defensive-zone exits from a line in each corner. Start with a self-pass off the boards around a cone, swap the cone for a coach as a soft D, then finish with a bounce stretch pass to a teammate past the D holding the line.

• Passing
• Breakout

Tip-and-Dig Shooting

Zone shooting with two nets: an empty net at the hash marks and the regular net with a goalie. Tip the point shot into the empty net, dig it out, and shoot on the goalie.

• Shooting

4-Lane Warm-up

Full-ice warm-up. Cones split the ice into four lanes and one line starts in the corner. Skate lane 1 on inside edges, lane 2 with crossovers, then carry a puck two-handed in lane 3 and one-handed in lane 4, with a shot at the end of each.

• Full ice
• Skating
• Shooting

Crossover Circles Race

A skating race on the two end-zone faceoff circles. Each line stands on a neutral-zone faceoff dot near the blue line. Each circle has a two-cone gate at its top (the side nearest the blue line), and ONE puck sits in the middle of the ice between two cones, halfway between the blue line and the circles. Racers go in through their gate, skate around the circle with crossovers, and come out the same gate. Then they come over the top of the puck cones and tight-turn down to the puck. The first one there attacks; the loser plays D. 1-on-1 to the net and shoot. For the pivot version, see Crossover Circles: Pivot Race.

• Skating
• Defence
• Shooting

Crossover Circles: Pivot Race

The step-2 version of the Crossover Circles Race. Lines stand on the neutral-zone faceoff dots near the blue line, with one puck in the middle of the ice. Each racer skates into the zone and does ONE lap around the circle with a pivot at each of the 3 cones: forwards, backwards, forwards, backwards. Then turn forwards and race to the puck. First one there picks it up and shoots.

• Skating
• Passing
• Shooting

Stops and Starts

Waves of skaters start on the goal line, sprint to the far blue line, stop hard, sprint back to the near blue line, stop, then finish at the far end-zone dots. The far net stays free for the goalies.

• Skating
• Full ice

Edges: Cone Weave

Three or four lanes of cones run from the blue line to the goal line. Skaters weave through their lane on deep edges, then return up the outside to their line.

• Skating

Lateral Step-overs with Pivots

Skaters move sideways down a lane with crossover step-overs, pivoting at each cone so they face the benches, then away from the benches, then the benches again.

• Skating

Cone Relay with Pucks

Three or four lines race at once, each with 3 or 4 cones. At each cone the skater makes one pass to the next player in line and gets it back, alternating forwards with tight turns and backwards with pivots.

• Skating
• Passing

2v2 Point Shot Small Area Game

Groups of five at each corner net: 2 O, 2 D and a point player. The point dumps the puck in and the 2v2 starts. The team with the puck can use the point for shots. On a change of possession, regroup up to the point.

• Small-area game
• Shooting
• Defence

2v2 Hard Rim

Two lines of forwards with pucks at the hash marks and two D at the dots. The first forward rims the puck hard behind the net to the partner on the far wall, and it's 2 on 2. The D must touch the top of the circle before they can defend.

• Small-area game
• Passing
• Defence

3v3 Circle Game

Two nets face each other inside a faceoff circle. It's 3 on 3, but only one player per team can be inside the circle. Outside players try to work a pass into their inside player, and they can shoot too.

• Small-area game
• Passing
• Shooting

Half-ice 3v3

3 on 3 in half the ice. The O try to score. The D try to win the puck and pass it to the coach at the blue line. Then the D come off, the O flip to D, and three fresh skaters come on as O.

• Small-area game
• Half ice
• Defence

Defend the Cone

A backup when you run out of nets: defend a cone instead. 1 on 1 around a faceoff circle with a cone on the dot. The attacker tries to touch the cone with the puck; the defender stays between the attacker and the cone.

• Small-area game
• Defence

Corner Pass to Half-Ice 1-on-1

A half-ice 1-on-1 drill with three lines. Two lines stand against the boards in the corners, and one line stands in the middle of the ice at a cone level with the tops of the faceoff circles, with the pucks. The centre player passes to the front of a corner line, then steps in to defend. The corner player carries up the wall and attacks 1-on-1, staying in their half of the zone (split down the middle), and shoots. The next rep goes to the other corner.

• Half ice
• Passing
• Shooting
• Defence

Mirror Angling 2v1

A half-ice station. The F carries a loop around the cones while the D mirrors around the cone at the faceoff dot, working on angling. Then a second F joins and it's a quick 2v1 on net. Both attackers drive the net; the puck carrier can pass, shoot or delay on the wall. Uses 2 D and 4-6 F.

• Small-area game
• Defence

1v1 Puck Race to 2v1

Two players start side by side and race for a puck rimmed into the corner. The winner retrieves it and starts the attack with a low-to-high pass to a high player; the loser becomes the D. Then it's a 2v1 on net.

• Small-area game
• Defence
• Passing

Rebounds: In-tight Hands

A net-front station with small nets. Two cones sit on either side of the net. Facing the net, the player banks the puck off the net, gathers it in tight and shoots. A coach or the next player in line can bank it instead. 2-3 players per net.

• Shooting

Goalie Rebound Game

A goalie game for rebound control. Two nets sit side by side, each with a goalie. The coach shoots on one goalie, who tries to deflect the rebound into the other goalie's net. Switch nets after 5-10 shots and keep score.

• Small-area game
• Shooting

Rondo Passing Progressions

A small-area passing game. 4-5 passers around a 20x20 ft circle (a faceoff circle works) keep the puck away from 1-2 defenders in the middle. A defender who intercepts swaps with the passer. Rotate defenders every 30-60 seconds; points for 5+ passes in a row. Build it up through the progressions.

• Passing
• Small-area game

Zone Entries: Delay

Two delay variations of the zone entry. Delay: carry in wide, stop and curl back up the wall to buy time, then attack the net. Delay, low-to-slot (dynamic): carry in and delay, then hit a catcher streaking to the net for a catch-and-shoot from the slot. The other two variations in this progression match Low-to-High: Give-and-Go and Low-to-High: D-to-D. Can also be run in the neutral zone or on small ice.

• Zone entry
• Half ice
• Passing
• Shooting

Give-and-Go to Shot

A half-ice skate, pass and shoot combo built around the give-and-go, the first passing play U11s use in games. The player skates up the wall from the corner, takes a pass from the coach and gives it right back, rounds a pylon near the red line, takes a second pass from the coach and drives in for a shot. Adapted from Hockey Canada's U11 (Atom) skate/shoot combo.

• Half ice
• Passing
• Shooting

Stationary Partner Passing

The U11 starting point for passing. Everyone pairs up with one puck, standing 10-13 ft (3-4 m) apart. Pass forehand back and forth, then backhand, then switch sides so the other player works the backhand. Step further apart as the passes get crisp. Good as a quick station or warm-up; works anywhere on the ice.

• Passing

Breakout: D to the Wall

The core breakout pattern with two players (Weiss Tech phase 1). The forward passes to the D on the dot, then loops low and opens up on the half-wall. The D skates the puck behind the net and passes to the forward on the wall, who carries up the boards and curls at a cone near the red line. The D doesn't stand still: after the pass the D steps up, then skates backwards and defends the forward 1-on-1 back into the zone.

• Half ice
• Breakout
• Passing
• Defence

D-to-Wall Breakout to 2-on-1

The 2-on-1 version of Breakout: D to the Wall. Same start: the winger passes to the D on the dot and gets open on the half-wall, and the D skates it behind the net and hits the winger. Then the winger carries up the wall while a centre from the second line swings out with him. Both curl at a cone near the red line and attack 2-on-1 against the D who made the pass. The D steps up, then skates backwards and takes away the pass.

• Half ice
• Breakout
• Passing
• Defence
• Shooting

Controlled-Skating Breakout

A timing and support drill for young players (Weiss Tech). The forward passes to the D, then skates slowly through four receiving spots marked with cones (high slot, low corner, half-wall, high on the wall), showing a target at each one. The D skates the puck behind the net and passes when the forward arrives at a spot, then the forward attacks 1-on-0. This half-ice version curls at a cone near the red line and attacks the same net.

• Half ice
• Breakout
• Passing

Wide Entry, Drive the Net

The simplest U11 zone entry: wide with speed, then drive the net. The player carries the puck wide over the blue line, keeps their feet moving around a cone inside the zone, cuts to the net and shoots, then follows the shot for the rebound. Progression: add a D at the blue line for a 1-on-1. From a Hockey Canada U11 zone-entry station.

• Half ice
• Zone entry
• Shooting

Three-Lane Wave Shooting

Lots of shots and simple to run. Three lines wait at the red line (left, middle, right lanes), each with pucks. One player from each lane carries in and shoots, one after another, and clears out to the side so the next shooter has a clear lane. The goalie gets a short reset between waves. From a Hockey Canada U9 practice plan.

• Half ice
• Shooting

2-on-0 Wide and Middle

Teaches one rule kids can remember: one goes wide, one drives the net. The puck carrier enters wide while the partner drives the middle lane to the back post. The carrier cuts in and shoots (or passes across to the back post), and both attackers go to the net for the rebound. Then switch lanes.

• Half ice
• Zone entry
• Shooting

Figure-8s with Pivots

A simple pivot drill. Players skate a figure-8 around the two end-zone circles: the top circle skating forwards, then on the bottom circle pivot from forwards to backwards at the first cone and back to forwards at the second. Pivots are the U10-U11 skill coaches most often skip, and they're needed for defence and for opening up to receive a pass. Add a puck once players are comfortable.

• Skating

Full-Ice Figure-8 Shooting

A full-ice skating drill with a puck and a shot. Each player carries up the wall, swings through centre ice, curls around the far circle and cuts to the net to shoot. Lines in opposite corners go at the same time, so the two paths make a figure-8 through the middle.

• Full ice
• Skating
• Shooting

Two-Line 2-on-0 Flow

Partners pass back and forth in two lanes the whole length of the ice, then attack 2-on-0: the winger passes to the centre in the middle for the shot and drives the net. A pair from the other end goes at the same time on the other half of the ice, so everyone stays busy.

• Full ice
• Passing
• Shooting

Breakout to 1-on-1

A breakout pass that turns into a full-length 1-on-1. The D skates the puck out of the corner and passes to the forward on the wall, then pivots and skates backward. The forward carries up the ice and tries to beat the D for a shot on the far goalie.

• Full ice
• Breakout
• Passing
• Defence
• Shooting

Stickhandling Obstacle Course

A puck-control course in one zone. Skaters weave a line of cones, pull the puck through a two-cone gate, slide the puck under a raised stick and step over it, then curl into the slot and shoot. The next skater goes when the one ahead reaches the gate.

• Skating
• Stickhandling
• Shooting

Tight Turns Around the Dots

A full-ice edge drill. Skaters start in the corner and skate the length of the ice, doing a full tight turn around five faceoff dots in a zig-zag: an end-zone dot, a neutral-zone dot, centre ice, the other neutral-zone dot, and the far end-zone dot. Run it without pucks first, then with pucks.

• Full ice
• Skating

Explosive Starts Race

A quick race for first-step speed. Two lines stand on the goal line. A pair races to the blue line using a V-start, then glides back along the boards. Next round the pair uses a crossover start, standing sideways and crossing over on the first step.

• Skating

Backward C-Cuts

A full-ice backwards skating drill in waves. Four lanes start on the goal line and skate backwards with C-cuts to the far blue line, then glide back along the boards. Variation: skate forwards to the red line, pivot, then skate backwards to the far blue line.

• Full ice
• Skating

Triangle Passing on the Move

A three-player passing rush. Three lines start at centre ice. The middle player passes to a wing, the wing passes across to the far wing, and the far wing passes back to the middle player driving the net, who shoots. Everyone switches lines.

• Half ice
• Passing
• Shooting

Backhand Shooting

A backhand-only shooting drill. One line comes into the slot and takes a backhand shot. The other line drives the net from the wing and puts a backhand on the far post. Switch lines after each shot.

• Half ice
• Shooting

Puck Protection in the Circle

A 1-on-1 puck protection battle in both end-zone circles. The puck carrier must stay inside the circle and keep the puck for 10 seconds, using their body and edges. The defender tries to knock the puck out of the circle. Then switch roles and the next pair goes.

• Small-area game
• Defence
• Stickhandling

Sharks and Minnows

A fun stickhandling game. Minnows with pucks start on the blue line and try to cross the zone to the goal line. Sharks in the middle knock pucks away. Lose your puck and you become a shark. Go back and forth until one minnow is left.

• Small-area game
• Stickhandling

Edge Work Along the Boards

An edges drill using the boards as a guide. Skaters snake along the boards on inside and outside edges, use C-cuts around the corner, then glide on one foot from the goal line to the far faceoff dot. Switch sides so both feet get work.

• Skating

Shooting in Stride

A shooting drill for catching and shooting with your feet moving. Shooters start at the blue line and skate into the high slot. A passer in the corner leads them with a pass, and they shoot in stride without stopping. Shooters and passers switch lines.

• Half ice
• Passing
• Shooting

Saucer Pass Over a Stick

A partner passing drill for the saucer pass. Partners stand about 20 feet apart with a stick laid flat on the ice between them. They pass back and forth, lifting the puck just over the stick so it lands flat. Forehand first, then backhand.

• Passing

Net-Front Tips and Screens

A net-front drill. A forward goes to the front of the net and gets a stick on the ice. A D at the point shoots low and on net. The forward tips the shot or screens the goalie, then looks for the rebound. Switch lines each rep.

• Half ice
• Shooting
• Defence

Neutral-Zone Regroup: D to D to Swing

A simple regroup in the neutral zone. Two D stand near centre ice. One D passes across to the other while a forward swings through the middle with speed. The D hits the swinging forward, who attacks and shoots.

• Half ice
• Passing
• Breakout
• Shooting

3-on-2 Rush

A simple 3-on-2. Three forwards start at centre ice and attack two D who skate backwards from the blue line. The puck goes wide, the middle forward drives the net, and the far wing goes to the back post. The puck carrier shoots for a rebound.

• Half ice
• Passing
• Shooting
• Defence

Backchecking: 2-on-1 to 2-on-2

A 2-on-1 that turns into a 2-on-2. Two forwards attack one D. A backchecker leaves a little later and hustles back to take away the forward without the puck. The puck carrier has no pass and must shoot.

• Half ice
• Defence
• Shooting

Goalie Warm-up Shooting Sequence

A structured goalie warm-up. Shooters take one shot at a time from three spots in a set order: the slot, one angle, the other angle, then a shot in tight. Shots are low and on net so the goalie can find the puck and get moving.

• Shooting