In prior practices, we’ve worked on cycling, focusing on its most basic form (cycle-passing down the boards back into the corner to a trailing linemate). This form of cycling is the most commonly seen in practice drills.
The issue is, many teams find it difficult to effectively use this cycle during games because it requires a very specific circumstance.
Over the next couple of practices, we’ll add a few more options to players’ toolkit that should be relevant to more scenarios, knowing that cycling is really just 2 concepts (not a specific set play):
- Moving the puck along the outside of the ice by passing or skating, because the outside of the ice is not as heavily defended
- Deception by drawing defenders in one direction and moving the puck in the opposite direction therefore creating additional time and space
All of the cycling drills below can be done with 2 or 3 forwards. Animations illustrate 2 forwards to allow for more space for practice purposes.
We’ll get as far as we can in about 50 minutes and spend the last ~20 on half-ice scrimmages to work on cycling in a more competitive environment. Additional options will be added for the following week.
Warm-up Drill: Continuous drop-pass
Same warm-up drill as on December 20. Drop passing via criss-cross will be an important skill to practice for the remaining cycle drills.
Skills Drill #1: Dump-in entry to basic cycle
We’ve done the basic cycle several times so will only spend a few minutes on this version. Will practice 2 versions: defense taking the shot, and defense returning the pass to the wide forward for the shot.
Focus points:
- Ensuring the cycling forwards are not too close together
Skills Drill #2: Dump-in entry to cycle & switch
We’ve done this version briefly as well for a subset of the team on a Friday evening practice. We’ll revisit it for the benefit of the broader team.
This cycle option adds a 2nd cycle pass before moving the puck back to the defence:
1st cycle pass: basic cycle
2nd cycle pass: forward stops or button hooks around the hash marks, and skates the puck back into the corner. The 2 forwards criss-cross with a drop pass to the player skating back up the boards who will then pass to the D.
Focus points:
- Ensuring the puck is dropped towards the boards for puck protection (player without the puck should always be further on the outside of the play)
Skills Drill #3: Dump-in entry to cycle & switch (fake drop)
Same as prior, except the drop-pass is faked during the criss-cross and the player with the puck will instead continue toward the back of the net then firmly pass directly to the D for a shot.
Focus points:
- Selling the fake drop pass. Many top players are using mohawk turns as part of their fake drop pass.
Skills Drill #4: Dump-in entry to cycle & defence switch
This version of the cycle & switch instead has a forward criss-crossing with the defender instead of a forward.
Animation shows 2 versions, one where the defender criss-crosses toward the middle of the ice, one where the defender criss-crosses toward the outside of the ice. Outside is generally preferred from a puck protection perspective but both options happen regularly.
Focus points:
- Criss-crossing forward covers for D as the Defence pinches in
Drill #5: Half-ice scrimmages
Last 20-or-so minutes will be spent on half-ice scrimmages (3v3 or 4v4 depending on number of players). Possession is gained by passing twice before a shot can be taken; no need to clear out to the blueline. Focus on making passes around the outside of the ice, and encourage criss-crossing.