Quote by: TomM

B6 - Five Circle Skill Circuit

Key Points:

-Rotate from one circle to the other.

-Do skills at top speed and with good habits.

-You can have #1 and #4 going on in opposite directions at the same time.

-Vary where the shots come from.

Description:

1. Player skate full speed with puck in all directions. Lots of pivots and turns.

2. The Iron Cross. To the dot, stop, left, to dot, forward, back, stop, R, dot, back, stop.

3. One passer 3 passes while receiver skates 8's facing passer.

4. 2 pass and skate facing each other exchange pucks 3 times.

5. Passer exchange pucks 3 times while receiver skates along circle one way then other way.

Options:
a. Do one exercise at a time rotating circles.

b. Do a different skill in each circle.

C3 - Rexi Breakout and 1-1 x 2 - RB Pro

Key Points:
it the net from the point. Make good hard passes. Forward face the puck and give a target. D's get a tight gap on the attacking forward.

Description:
1. On whistle D at each end take a point shot.
2. D skate back and F dump the puck in the corner.
3. D retrieve puck and drive skate between the dots and make a breakout pass to the F.
4. F's attack the D's at the opposite end.
5. Continue alternating between board and middle breakout pass.
6. Possible to do 2 on 1.

http://hockeycoachingabcs.com/mediagallery/media.php?f=0&sort=0&s=20090823122857406

https://youtu.be/FhDTfLkMVVM

https://www.facebook.com/518555930/videos/pcb.765377904372009/10159653262245931

D9 - 4 Teams x 4 Nets – SAG Variation

Key Points:
Divide the ice into 4 areas using hollow 4x4 boards, pads, thick hose.

Description:
1. Do skill drills and flow drills.
2. Play skill games.
3. Play tournaments.

D9 - 4 Teams x 4 Nets – SAG Variation
Each team defends one net and can score on the other 4.

https://www.facebook.com/tom.molloy.5836/videos/10159648838760931

https://youtu.be/ESZaaWx0vLs

T4 - Cougar Pounce Forecheck

Key Points:
Constant pressure from the defensive side. Back pressure, Offensive and defensive 2-1's. Man on box behind in Dzone. 2-2-1 forecheck when close pressure or 1-3-1 when offense has total control with skates up ice.

Description:
This system combines the left wing lock and the torpedo. There are two offensive forwards the C and RW. The left wing plays like a left wing in the offensive end and a left D in the defensive zone and lines up on lw at the faceoff. The LW and RD stay on their side of the ice. The right D plays like a RW in the offensive zone and a RD in our end. The LD is really a middle D and is on the puck side in the offensive end and is the support player low in the defensive zone, always on the puck side. The RW and C cover the points in the D zone and force the puck on the attack. They can forecheck either in a 2-2-1 or a 1-3-1 formation. There are always 4 players on the attack.

I used a large rink on the floor to go over the system and my trainer took a video of the instruction. The video was taken early in the season before an exhibition game in the Olympic Oval. The videos are in the team play section of the ABC site.
http://hockeycoachingabcs.com/mediagallery/media.php?f=0&sort=0&s=20080727110405661

This video shows a clip of the forecheck in a game sitution.
http://hockeycoachingabcs.com/mediagallery/media.php?f=0&sort=0&s=20080727110408764

This is the system we used when I coached the Women's Varsity Team at college for five seasons. I left to coach with the Red Bulls in Austria as the all time winning percentage leader of 71% and all time wins at that time. So it is an effective system. I joined the Red Bulls and found that Pierre Page was using almost the identical system with the pro team there.

A200 - Puck Handling Circuit - Finland

Key Points:
Protect the puck with the body. Develop big moves all around the body and thru the legs to shield the puck. Learn to pivot and make quick turns and backward escapes.

Description:1. Zig-zag forward and backward with the puck.
2. Protect the puck skating #8's.
3. a. Skate along line and reach around pylons.
b. Skate around pylons keeping puck on the line.
4. Figure 8's around gloves to the front and sides.
5. Weave through pylons.
6. 1 on 1 game. Go around pylon to become the attacker.
7. Partners work inside the circle and protect the puck from each other for 10”.

A3 Puck Handling Moves With a Shot

Key Points:
Do various moves with the puck and finish with a shot.

Description:
One group rotate clockwise and the other counter clockwise.
1. Do various skating moves with the puck.
2. Big moves all around the body, in the skates, through the legs etc.

* You can also add quick burst while protecting the puck thru pylons and finishing with a shot.
There are many video's on this site for puck handling. I think the most important routine is the Russian Big Moves Warm up. Do this on and off the ice, add moves you see top players do. If a player does this routine a lot before he/she reaches puberty they will be able to control the puck all around the body.

http://hockeycoachingabcs.com/mediagallery/media.php?f=0&sort=0&s=20100401215401872

https://youtu.be/uZdsMEp0eIc

https://www.facebook.com/518555930/videos/pcb.764193807823752/10159648684655931

B3 - Breakout and Point Shot

Key Points:
The same thing happens on both sides of the ice. Face the puck and give a target.

Description:
1. F1 and F2 leave and pass the puck to D1
2. F1 and F2 fill the wide and middle lane for a regroup pass from D1
3. F1 and F2 attack 2-0 and shoot.
4. D1 follow play then skates around circle and goes to the far point at the original end.
5. Either F1 or F2 shoot and the other pass to the other D1 at the point
6. F pass and rush the point and the other F screen for opposite D1 shot.

C1-C3 1-1, 2-1-b

Key Points:
Quick feet for both the F and D

Description:

Full ice 1-1 and 2-1

1a. D get a pass from the circle.

1b. F get a pass from the boards and shoot then rebound.

2. D skate backward inside blue and pivot. F skate at D.

3. D pass to F and F attack 1-1 vs D

4. Do on both sides.

5. You can also do a 2-1.

This is a great way to practice back pressure.
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DT100 - Transition Game with F Backchecking - RB pro

Key Points:
The highest attacking F backcheck and backpressure the puck thru the nzone.

Description:

DT100 Full Ice with extra players waiting along the boards in the neutral zone.

1. Start by attacking 1-1 up to a 3-2.

2. F and D give passive support above circles.

3. On breakout pass the highest F backcheck.

5.Waiting players can take away the puck if it comes above the circles.

6. Practice back pressure on even situations.

https://youtu.be/MEaK0tEp13E

T3 - Playing a Defensive 2-1

Key Points:
- A 2-1 is really a 2-2 because it is between the two attackers one defender and one goalie. (goalies are people too)
- The defender has to realize that he/she doesn't have to get the puck or make a check but instead recognize the most dangerous play and take that play away.
- Goalie should be saying he has the shooter.

Description:
1. Defender stay in the middle a little ahead of the attack with the stick in the passing lane.
2. Initiate the decision.
3. Move toward the puck carrier a faking you are going there to see if it make him rush and see if he drops his head and throws the puck across (many players panic and do this) then drop back into the middle and block the pass.
4. Deny the pass across and the goalie takes the shooter if he is outside. If the stick is in the inside lane the shooter may be the most dangerous player and you have to play him more.
5. Don't allow the puck carrier to go in alone; cut the ice in half.
6. Take non shooters stick on a shot.
7. Slide to deny the pass if the attackers are parallel.

T3 - Low 2-1 Instruction - College W
https://www.facebook.com/tom.molloy.5836/videos/10159266788370931

Defending a 1-1 TJ - Former NHL D.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eaZxoLQFBNM

T3 - Defending a 2-1- TJ - U18 F
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PNMZQ22JdfI

D400 Small Area 2-1 x 2 Jr. A

Key Points:
-Play in small areas for short shifts of 20-30 seconds.
-Focus on offensive puck protection and defensive net side with the stick on the puck and tight gaps.
-Attackers practice creating 2 on 1's, screening and picking while protecting their stick.

Description

Game One:
1. Net is in the standard place and the extra players form a semi circle to keep the puck in play.
2. Play situations up to a 3-3.
3. Coach shoots the puck into the corner to start the game and the extra players do the same if the puck is checked to them.
4. Keep score and vary the situation by calling out i.e. "blue 2, white 1" and that many players go.

Game Two:
1. Divide the zone in half with one net at each side and play two games at once.
2. If the puck comes out the coach puts in another puck.
3. Play this game up to a 2-2 situation with short shifts of 20-30 seconds.

D400 Small Area 2-1 x 2 Jr. A
https://youtu.be/xpsffQ1dU1M

D400 - 2 Net 4-2 Each Side - U20 M
https://youtu.be/L7bJQ16t6Ss

D400 - 2-2 - Two Nets in Corner - C U18 F
https://youtu.be/HvoCq4d6FJo

D400 - Two Net 1-1 in Two Circles - C U18 F
https://youtu.be/ABIOJQCXSbY

https://www.facebook.com/518555930/videos/pcb.760984344811365/10159637301225931

B6 - 3-0 Weave With D Regroup

Key Points:
-Skate with the puck to the big ice between the dots and then pass.

- Pass and follow your pass.

-Stay wide until you get the pass.

Description:
1. Half the forwards at each end in three lines behind the goal line with the D waiting at the bluelines. Whites at one end and Blues at the other.
2. Middle player start by skating toward the strong side and pass to the wing and follow the pass skating behind the new puck carrier.
3. Wing skate to the big ice between the dots and pass to the far wing then follow the pass.
4. Wide wing skate to the big ice and pass to the original centre who is now in the opposite wide lane.
5. The D is skating backwards thru the middle zone and the puck is passed back to him for a regroup the other direction.
6. On regroup one player supports on the strong side boards, one mirrors the puck in the middle lane and one is in the wide lane.
7. D makes the pass and follow the attack into the zone.
8. The group at the other end leaves after the D passes up ice.

Options.
a. Add another D.
b. Add a second regroup.
c. Add a pass to the D for a point shot after the original rush.
d. When 2 D are used you can use 2 pucks to create and overload situation and have the forwards take a shot followed by the D shooting the other puck.

B6 - Five Circle Skill Circuit

Key Points:

-Rotate from one circle to the other.

-Do skills at top speed and with good habits.

-You can have #1 and #4 going on in opposite directions at the same time.

-Vary where the shots come from.

Description:

1. Player skate full speed with puck in all directions. Lots of pivots and turns.

2. The Iron Cross. To the dot, stop, left, to dot, forward, back, stop, R, dot, back, stop.

3. One passer 3 passes while receiver skates 8's facing passer.

4. 2 pass and skate facing each other exchange pucks 3 times.

5. Passer exchange pucks 3 times while receiver skates along circle one way then other way.

Options:
a. Do one exercise at a time rotating circles.

b. Do a different skill in each circle.

ABC - Level Zero - 4 Practices

I have attached a pdf file with 4 practices using the ABC method of drills and games. It doesn't matter what age a person starts hockey. They have to learn to balance and move on the ice. At the same time they learn to skate they must learn how to PLAY the game.

It is a GAME we are teaching and not a series of drills. So the drills always have to lead to the purpose of "Learning how to PLAY the a GAME."

So the two themes of the method are:

" ENJOY THE GAME"

and

"THE GAME IS THE GREATEST COACH"

I will post 6 practices tomorrow that continue with skating and introduce puck handling, shooting and passing.

There are video clips of all these activities in the first section of this link.

http://www.hockeycoachingabcs.com/mediagallery/album.php?aid=11&page=1

https://www.facebook.com/tom.molloy.5836/videos/10159635100915931

T4 Penalty Killing 2 Short vs the Spread Power Play - Pro

Key Points:
-Skate in straight lines up and back.

-Only pressure if you can get there the same time as the puck or the back is turned.

-Don't get tied up or finish checks.

-Stick on the ice and on the puck.

-Shin pads blocking shots, sticks take away passes thru the slot.

-Form a tight triangle.

Description:
-5 vs 3 versus a Spead with the Puck at the Point

1. High 1 only go as far as the top of the circles.

2. High 2 watch middle player and be ready to cover other point on pass across.

3. Low defender be on puck side always moving side to side.

4. When puck is passed to low player.

Rotation: L move to puck, H1drop into middle, H2 drop down and cover weak side low or if the middle player stays at the top of the crease cover him.

Sticks take away passes thru the slot.

http://www.hockeycoachingabcs.com/mediagallery/media.php?f=0&sort=0&s=20130314090228874

T4 D400 -PK 3 on 5 vs a Spread PP - Pro
https://youtu.be/19ktWUhCegA

Pro
https://www.facebook.com/518555930/videos/pcb.759853768257756/10159633241340931

Magnetic Board
https://www.facebook.com/518555930/videos/pcb.759853768257756/10159633243990931

DT100 - 2 on 2 with Regroup

Key Points:
Move through the neutral zone quickly and create a 2 on 1. Defenders talk to identify coverage.
Line up in D100 Formation along the boards behind the bluelines at each end. Continuous flow game. Keep score. Vary the situations 1-1 to 3-3.

This is a great transition game to work on all four game playing roles in all three zones. You can focus on the offense, the defense, the regroup, boxing out, cycling, tying up sticks, creating offensive 2 on 1's, defensive communication etc. etc. All players attack and defend. The jokers support and must pass or shoot within a second and can't walk in. When the puck crosses the blueline they follow the play for a regroup pass and then into the attacking zone.

Description:
1. Full ice attack 1 Offense vs 1 Defenders.

2. Offensive players 2 follow the play and are jokers who can't skate in but must pass or shoot within 1 second. Defenders only cover the original attackers and tie up their sticks and box out.

3. After a goal or a breakout the defenders 1 attack the jokers.

4. Create an offensive 2-1 on a wide defender. If coach blows the whistle regroup with 3 who follow the play thru the nzone.

5. 1 finish the attack and try to score while 3 follow the play and support.

*Coach can change the situation from 1-1, 1-2, 2-1, 3-2, 3-3 or add a dump in to work on the forecheck or rules like goals must come from plays below the goal line to work on the cycle or low coverage.

http://www.hockeycoachingabcs.com/mediagallery/media.php?f=0&sort=0&s=20130226091128433

https://youtu.be/YrGxoxSpGHw

https://www.facebook.com/518555930/videos/pcb.759833624926437/10159633172020931