This practice, we’ll work on some key fundamental skills related to regroups and entering the offensive zone, and continue to practice cycling as our drills’ phase 2.

We introduced the cycle and switch on Friday, December 2nd (limited attendance at that practice) so we’ll continue with the cycle and switch instead of only cycling.

Warm-up Drill: Continuous drop-pass

Both ends running the same drill. Skaters at each corner, one corner (per end) with pucks. One from each corner will skate outside the blueline and execute a criss-cross drop pass then attack 2-on-0 (remembering to stay on-side).

Skater without the puck should always be further away from the offensive zone (puck carrier is closer to the blueline). Switch sides each rep to practice making and receiving the drop pass equally.

A few things to focus on:

• Drop pass should be made away from the offensive zone (body separation from defender in an actual game situation)
• Drop pass should be made early enough for the other skater to react to it
• Skater who makes the drop pass should straddle the blueline until zone is gained

Skills Drill #1: Regroup to 2v1 to Cycle

Skaters lined up a few stick-lengths inside opposing bluelines with 3 going from each line. One player skates across the ice to act as defense for the opposite side. Two players spread out on their half of the ice as 2 forwards. Forward close to the boards starts with the puck.

Coming out of the zone, the puck is passed to the defense (this is the regroup – turning back to “try again” instead of dumping the puck into the zone). The forwards actively skate back to support a backpedaling defense.

Defense will bank-pass to the forward curling to the boards. Forwards will attack while the defense closes the gap on the forwards coming from the opposite side. 2v1s in each offensive zone.

Coach will dump a 2nd puck into a corner once a shot is taken or defense is successful. Defender moves to the point, and forwards will execute 1 single cycle before passing back to the point (first forward drives the net, second forward stays wide for a return pass from the defender). Defender will walk the blueline for a better angled shot.

A few things to focus on:

• Defender should backpedal a fair distance to create time and space in a game-like situation and allow the forwards time to curl.
• Bank pass should be made early, not too firmly and should be an area pass to the curling forward
• Curling forward receiving the bank pass needs to time their skating so they don’t get ahead of the play; they should be skating into the bank pass, not looking over their shoulder for it.
• Forward with the puck should keep their head up through the neutral zone, looking for their teammates (including behind).
• Forward with the puck should attack the faceoff dot and then turn wide to add deception to their zone entry.
• Forward without the puck is looking for a drop pass, however they should also attack wide before tight turning behind the puck carrier (also for deception).
• Forward without the puck should be calling “drop” when they make their tight turn.

Skills Drill #2: Regroup to 3v2 to Cycle and Switch

Next iteration of the prior drill. 2 defenders this time, and 3 forwards (always in a triangle formation). Top of the triangle remains the trailer for the entire curl.

Importantly, this version involves a D-to-D pass before the bank pass, which increases the importance of the forwards’ timing (easier to skate past the play).

This time, the trailer will begin in standard trailing position before cutting behind the puck carrier for the drop pass. The inside forward drives the net.

Phase 2 is a bit more complicated with 3 forwards. Coach will dump a puck in, and the forwards will perform a 3-player-cycle while the defenders go to the point.

Once at least 2 cycles are made (each player has touched the puck), a puck carrier will choose to stop or button-hook near the hash marks, stopping the cycle. They will then switch positions with their teammate in the corner, executing a criss-cross drop pass (from our warm-up drill).

Once the switch has been executed, the pass will go to the point, followed by a D-to-D pass and a shot on net.

All of the “things to focus on” from the prior drill apply here as well, with a couple additions:

• Just like during our warm-up drill, during the switch, the forward without the puck should be further to the outside (forward with the puck executing a drop-pass with proper body separation).
• The trailer receiving the drop pass now has options and should react appropriately to how the defense plays
• Defender receiving the D-to-D pass during the regroup (and making the bank pass) needs to ensure they don’t backpedal too close to the boards. The bank pass should still be made early and is an area pass to the curling forward (not a rim pass up against the boards).

Last 15 Minutes: Scrimmage