Scarborough Ice Raiders U15A Skills Practice #1: Progressive Battles

fung.noah

9 Nov, 2022

Scarborough Ice Raiders U15A Skills Practice #1: Progressive Battles

On November 1, Coach Noah and Kylie had our first skills practice with the Scarborough Ice Raiders U15A GTHL hockey team and their coaching staff. The focus was on offensive tactics, with the idea of building upon a foundation of zone entry and tips on how to approach a variety of scenarios (1v1, 2v1, etc.) that could be layered upon in future practices.

Some observations following the first practice:

  • Solid skating ability overall; passing accuracy can/should be developed over time
  • Lots of solo effort – battle wins by individual skill
  • Team strategy & systems an area of opportunity over the coming weeks, developing habits on what to do without the puck to better support the play

Drill #1: Moon Drill (with specific shots)

Basic warm-up drill to get the feet moving. 3 skaters from each corner (6 total) leaving at a time, with the added complexity of practicing a specific shot:

  1. Straight down the ice with open-ice carry, shoot on far net leveraging off-leg shot (weight on leg closest to puck)
  2. Half-moon around center ice with half/quick crossovers, shoot on close net leveraging pull-shot (partial toe-drag shot to change the angle, or Auston Matthews shot)
  3. Full-moon around center ice with half/quick crossovers, shoot on far net leveraging deke shot (forehand-to-backhand-to-forehand then quick release)

Drill #2: 1v1 to Post-Up (2 Phase Drill)

Simple 1v1 battle drill followed by a 2nd-phase (and 2nd puck) post-up where the defense takes a point shot and the forward attempts to screen, tip and/or redirect.

Drill #2: 2v1 to Post-Up

Added complexity with a 2nd offensive player. Emphasis on extra player being a trailer and making the drop-pass to earn more space and time to shoot.

Drill #3: 3v1

Progressed to 3v1 to have one forward drive the far post. Saving the “post up” / phase 2 for subsequent practices (will be cycle due to number of forwards)

Drill #4: 3v2

Same as above but adding a 2nd defender to increase game realism and pressure on the attackers. Beginning foundation for following practice to layer on the cycle.