Reply To: 2010-2020 Coach Discussion Forum

[Tom Molloy]

The Game as the Teacher: Cross, Full, Half Ice

How can a simple game teach skating, puck handling, passing, cooperation, creativity, good habits.

I watch teams of all levels use games during practices but I seldom see them used as teaching tools. Usually they are 3 on 3 with short shifts and are rewards for doing drills well.

Lets take the same game and modify the rules to cause skills, technique or good habits to be worked on.

– All must touch the puck before you can score. – puck support, head up, passing and receiving skills, man on man defense,

– You must take at least 3 hard strides when you get the puck before you can pass or shoot. – moving to open ice.

– You must play man on man defense – defensive side, stick on puck, sitck in the passing lane, marking.

– Only 2" with the puck. Head up, move to open ice, puck support, passing receiving.

– Everyone must only skate backward, or flat footed with two skates on the ice, – skating skills

– Everyone must face the puck all the time, if not all do one push up and offender identify himself and do 5.

– You must make an escape move before you pass or shoot. – puck handle.

– At least two passes and all passes must be forehand. – get the players to play in the triple threat position and see the play.

– Goals can only be scored on one touch shots. – players go to the net and get open. Puck carrier must make the play.

– You must beat at least one defender before passing – puck handle, moves, skate.

– Goals must originate from plays below the goal line. – cycle, pass out, cover low and be aware of attackers behind.

– All 3 offensive players skate behind the net on a change and defenders angle – angling, pick up man.

– Both teams skate behind the net on the change – closing the gap, getting open, create 2-1's.

– Regroup before scoring – get open, awareness of players behing.

– No passing allowed, or only one pass and you must score – puck handling, playing 1-1's.

– Only backhand passes allowed – that skill and the skating into position to do it.

– Scoring team get the puck and go the other way. Team scored on change – change on the go, transition. picking up man on defense.

– Game where all players must score before you can score a second goal. – puck support, awareness, involve all players, get open.

– Start with 3 puck and leave them in the net when score.

– Start with 3 pucks and shoot in a new puck when a goal is score. Play shifts and at the end of a certain time count the pucks.

– Jokers behind their own goal who must be passed to. – regroup, breakout

– Jokers behind the offensive net who must be passed to before scoring. – one timers, pucking up sticks, getting open, rebound.

– Jokers on the side who can pass or shoot – get open, screen, tip.

– Each team has a Joker behind each net who must be passed to – give and go, breakout, regroup.

– Add Jokers can check Jokers. – moving to open ice, protect the puck.

– Start 1-1 and give and go to waiting teammate to add players up to 3.

These are a few off the top of my head.

Coaches add to this list.

'The Game is the Greatest Coach'
'Enjoy the Game'