drills

1. 1 crosses the ice through centre to the far end.
2. Crossovers round the back of the far net.
3. Back through centre to the near end.
4. Round the near net to start again.

Variation, a figure 8 of crossovers round the end-zone circles.

1. 1 makes a tight arc round each pylon; 3 crosses over round the far circles in a figure 8.
2. 2 makes a tight turn at the pylon, skates up the boards and stops.
3. 2 crossover-steps along the boards, then skates backwards.
4. 2 pivots to forwards and returns down the other side.

Three stations run at once. Variation: add pucks.

1. One skater from each corner: 2 makes a crossover start and 4 a V-start, over sticks on the ice.
2. 3 makes a tight turn round the pylon.
3. 1 stops at the first pylon.
4. 1 stops at the second pylon, then turns back.

The sticks laid on the ice for the starts are not drawn.

1. 1, 2 and 3 leave the corner together, slightly spaced.
2. A full lap of the first circle, then over and under the pylons in the neutral zone.
3. Round both far circles, cutting across the slot between them.
4. Back through the pylons on the other side of the neutral zone.
5. A lap of the last circle, then round behind the net.

Variations: skate it backwards, add pucks, finish with a shot.

1. On the whistle, players from neighbouring corners race, each with a puck.
2. A tight turn at the pylon by the blue line, then back to the one in the circle.
3. A tight turn in the circle and out to the next pylon.
4. A last tight turn and a sprint to the finish.

Variation: race backwards, pivoting to forwards at the last pylon.

1. On the whistle, players from diagonal corners race, each with a puck.
2. Crossovers round the circle, outside both pylons.
3. Round the pylon in the neutral zone and back.
4. Each shoots on the goal at their own end.

The other two corners race next. Variation: race backwards, pivoting at the last pylon.

1. 1 starts with forward crossovers round a circle, 2 with backward crossovers.
2. Both cross the neutral zone with tight turns round the pylons.
3. 1 skates backwards down past a pylon, then pivots to forwards.
4. 2 skates backwards up the ice, then pivots for one more tight turn.
5. Each finishes with crossovers round the last circle and a stop at the pylon.

Both diagonal corners go at once. Variation: add pucks.

1. Three lanes at once: 1 slaloms through the pylons along the top.
2. 3 stops at each pylon before going on to the next.
3. 2 makes a full 360° turn round each pylon.

Variations: add pucks, or skate the lanes backwards.

1. 1 and 2 start from opposite corners.
2. A tight turn at every pylon, alternating high and low.
3. Out through the far corner.

Variations: skate it backwards, add pucks, finish with a shot.

1. On the command, 1, 2 and 3 set off from the end boards.
2. Each weaves forwards round the pylons in their lane, the length of the ice.
3. Out past the last pylon to the far end.

Variations: skate it backwards, add pucks, or mirror a partner down the ice without pylons.

1. 1 and 2 skate forwards out of the corners.
2. Pivot to backwards and skate back towards the middle.
3. Pivot to forwards and drive to the boards.
4. Pivot to backwards again.
5. Pivot to forwards and stop in the far corner.

Variation: add pucks.

1. In pairs near one end, 1 passes to 2 over a stick laid between them, and 2 passes back.
2. In the neutral zone, pairs pass between two pylons or gloves.
3. In the far zone, pairs pass from one side of the ice to the other.

Variations: backhand passes, or move apart after every ten good passes.

1. 1 and 2 leave from beside the net, each carrying a puck.
2. Out to the boards and along them to the red line.
3. Back in to centre ice, then out to the boards again.
4. Along the boards to the far end, to wait behind the goal line.

Variation: skate the same route backwards.

1. 1 and 2 leave the corner together, 2 with the puck.
2. 2 passes to 1 on the boards.
3. 1 carries through the neutral zone and passes back to 2 in the middle.
4. 2 shoots and 1 goes to the net.

Both diagonal corners go at once; one pair is shown.

1. 1 starts with the puck; 2 and 3 go from the other two lines.
2. 1 passes to 2 and cuts behind them.
3. 2 carries to the middle, passes to 3 and cuts behind them.
4. 3 passes to 1 and cuts behind them.
5. 1 shoots; 2 and 3 go to the net.

1. 1 passes to P and skates up the boards.
2. P returns the pass: the give and go.
3. 1 turns back at the red line and weaves through the pylons.
4. 1 shoots.

Both diagonal corners go at once; one side is shown.

1. 1 and 2 leave diagonal corners, each carrying a puck.
2. Each weaves through the pylons, in to the middle and out to the boards.
3. Each shoots on the far net.

Variations: skate the course backwards, or add a backchecker from the red line.

1. 1 and 2 start beside the posts; 2 passes to 1.
2. Down the middle they pass across to each other at every line.
3. They turn in front of the far circles and come back wide along the boards.
4. Rink-wide passes on the way back.

Variation: flip passes.

1. 1 skates the length of the boards and curls back in the far neutral zone.
2. 2 passes from the far corner.
3. 1 carries the length of the ice.
4. 1 shoots.

Both diagonal corners go at once, each passing to the other's skater; one side is shown.

1. At both ends, 1 leaves the corner and loops round the neutral-zone face-off spot.
2. 2 passes from the other corner as 1 comes back into the slot.
3. 1 shoots straight away.
4. 2 skates out next, and the corners swap roles.

Variation: skate backwards to the blue line, pivot, then take the pass.

1. 1 gives to the first passer and skates up the boards.
2. First return pass.
3. 1 gives to the second passer.
4. Second return pass, and 1 cuts in to the net.
5. 1 shoots.

Both diagonal corners go at once; one side is shown.

1. From each corner, skate forward from the goal line to the blue line.
2. Lateral crossovers along the blue line towards the middle.
3. Skate backward to the face-off dot.
4. Forward deep to the end boards, a sharp turn, and back to the front of the net.

1. 1 and 2 skate at their checker without the puck.
2. Across the neutral zone, C skates backwards ahead of 1, keeping a 2.5–3 m gap.
3. In the zone, 2 weaves from side to side and C mirrors them, backing towards the net.

One half of the ice is shown. Variations: the attacker carries a puck; C has no stick.

1. Each attacker carries the puck across the ice at a checker.
2. C skates backwards, keeping body position and alignment on the attacker.
3. C gradually closes the gap to stick-check and shoulder-check distance.

1. 1 carries along the boards towards the pylon.
2. C angles in from the circle, staying between 1 and the net.
3. 1 is steered wide, down the end boards and away from the net.

Both ends go at once; one side is shown.

1. 1 skates along the boards.
2. P passes to 1, and C starts skating backwards to play the one-on-one.
3. C pivots at the top of the circle.
4. C keeps inside position and angles 1 wide of the net.

Groups go from both sides; one side is shown.

1. 1 and 2 leave the goal line, passing as they go.
2. C swings out behind them and chases, skating forwards only.
3. 2 finds 1 at the net.
4. 1 shoots.

The backchecker may not turn and skate backwards. Variation: add a defenceman for a 2-on-2.

1. From centre ice, 1 and 2 carry the puck through the slot towards the net.
2. C moves into the slot from the corner.
3. C covers the carrier, reaching for stick-check position.
4. The carrier tries to get a shot on goal.

Variation: C approaches from different angles.

1. 1 and 2 start outside the blue line; 1 drives to the net with the puck.
2. 2 breaks to the net to deflect a shot or take a pass.
3. At the same time, C moves from the corner into the slot to cover 2.
4. 1 shoots; C covers 2 while keeping the net and the puck in view.

1. At each end, 1 curls out of the corner with the puck.
2. 1 passes to 2, who takes it on the skates in front of the net.
3. 2 tries to shoot; C lifts or presses their stick to stop it.

Lift near the heel of the stick; press below the receiver's bottom hand.

1. At each end, C dumps the puck into the corner from centre ice.
2. 1 and 2 race in from the blue line along the boards; C follows on an angle.
3. The carrier picks up the puck and tries to skate it out of the corner.
4. C approaches under control, facing the boards so the carrier cannot cut up the middle.
5. C finishes the check.

Variations: C's stick upside down; the skater confined to an area; two forecheckers.

1. 1 and 2 carry the puck out of the corner and along the boards.
2. C leaves the blue line and approaches from the inside out.
3. C angles the carrier into the boards and gently rubs them out.
4. C finishes the check while keeping defensive position.

1. 1 skates the high slot with the puck; G stays square to it.
2. 1 shoots, and G stops the puck and controls the rebound.
3. G passes it back out to 1.
4. 1 shoots again.

Both ends go at once; one side is shown.

1. 1 drives at the net with the puck.
2. 2 follows a moment later, heading for the far post.
3. 1 passes across and the goalkeeper slides with it.
4. 2 one-times it.

Both ends go at once; one side is shown. Variation: the puck carrier may shoot.

1. G telescopes out to a puck in the arc and pokes it away with the stick.
2. Straight back to the crease to stop P's shot.
3. Out to the next puck, and back for the next shot.

Variation: pucks in pairs; poke check the first on your feet, then dive at the second.

1. 1 passes along to 2 on the goal line, and G moves to the post.
2. 2 passes across to 4; G comes off the post to square up.
3. 4 passes to 3, and 3 back across to 1.
4. 1 passes across the slot to 4, and G shuffles with it.

Pass slowly at first and add shots later; one of four formations is shown.

1. G shuffles and T-pushes sideways along the line, facing up ice.
2. Telescopes straight back to the crease.
3. Across the crease, then telescopes out again.
4. Sideways down the line, and back to the goal line.

Add recoveries (to the knees, stomach or side) and go both ways.

1. 1 shoots the puck around the boards, then skates to the front of the net.
2. G leaves the net, stops the puck behind it and passes it to the corner.
3. G hurries back to the crease to face the play.
4. 2 shoots through the screen and 1 plays the rebound.

Both ends go at once; one side is shown.

1. 1 carries up the boards, circles back over the blue line and takes a long slap shot.
2. 1 goes to the side of the net; 2 circles the same way and shoots a wrist shot from the slot.
3. 2 goes to the front of the net to screen.
4. 3 circles and passes to 1 at the side of the net for a tip-in.

Then three more go from the other corner. Both ends go at once; one is shown.

1. 1 leaves the line and takes a pass at the red line.
2. 1 carries up the boards and takes a long slap shot from the angle on the first net.
3. 1 picks up a loose puck behind the net and takes a backhand on the second.
4. Another loose puck, and a wrist shot on the third net.
5. 1 picks up a puck behind the net and passes to the next player, 2.

The goalkeepers rotate nets now and then.

1. P shoots at G, who stands outside the circle at the first spot.
2. G moves round to the second spot using a set skill, such as a shuffle.
3. P shoots, and G moves on to the third spot with the next skill.
4. A shot at the third spot, then on to the fourth for the last one.

Use a different skill between spots: shuffle, poke check, one-foot hop, dive poke check, telescope.

1. P passes from the loose pucks to 1, first in line.
2. 1 carries behind the net and tries to walk out at the far post; G holds the post and plays it with the stick.
3. 1 sprints to the loose pucks and passes to 2, next in line.
4. 1 goes to the end of the line.

Walk out at either post. Variation: an extra stick in front limits the space.

1. 1 and 2 start on opposite boards and skate across the ice.
2. Each touches the far boards and turns back for the puck.
3. 1 wins the race and takes the puck.

Switch sides after each race. Variations: a standing or a kneeling start.

1. 1 goes behind the net for a puck; C waits in front, facing the end boards.
2. C may leave only when 1 touches the puck, and skates backwards to the red line.
3. C turns at the red line and they race to the far goal.
4. C stays inside and steers 1 wide of the net.

Variation: move the pucks from the near side to behind the net to the far side to make it harder for C.

1. 1 carries up the boards with the puck.
2. C waits at the red line and chases once 1 crosses it.
3. 1 drives to the net and shoots.

Runs both directions at once; one side is shown. Variation: 1 starts without the puck and takes a pass before the red line.

1. On command, 1 skates laterally towards the blue line and C towards the goal line, which is further.
2. 1 turns back and picks up the puck.
3. C turns back to defend the net.
4. 1 shoots before C can get across.

Both ends go at once; one side is shown. Switch sides after each turn.

1. On command, 1 skates forward with the puck and C skates backwards.
2. 1 drives for the net; C keeps inside position.
3. C stays between 1 and the net, and 1 is forced wide.

Both ends go at once; one side is shown. Switch sides after each turn.

1. 1 skates out with the puck; C first touches the corner boards.
2. C turns out of the corner to cover the net.
3. 1 shoots as quickly as possible, before C can close.

Both ends go at once; one side is shown. Variation: C starts facing the corner and pivots 360 degrees.

1. 1 comes out of the corner with the puck, heading for the net.
2. C starts as soon as 1 moves and steps up quickly.
3. C checks 1 one-on-one before the goal area.

Both ends go at once; one side is shown. Variation: confine 1 to the area below the face-off dots, or the top of the circles.

1. P passes a puck forward into free ice.
2. 1 and 2 leave as the pass is made and race for it.
3. 1 gets there first and drives to the net.
4. 1 shoots with 2 chasing.

Both halves go at once; one side is shown. Variation: start skating backwards and pivot at the blue line.

1. 1 and 2 race from the goal line, each with a puck.
2. Each weaves through three pylons.
3. The race ends at the far blue line, and 1 wins it.
4. Both carry on in on goal; the coach sets whether to shoot or deke.

Variations: weave the pylons backwards and pivot after the last one, or turn 360 degrees at each pylon.

1. 1 carries in on one side, 2 stays level on the other.
2. 1 drives at the defender to make them commit.
3. 1 passes to 2 and accelerates past the defender.
4. 2 returns the pass into the space behind the defender.
5. 1 shoots.

The carrier has to make the defender commit before passing.