We have had three more sessions and now have 28 skaters. Activities we have done centre around carrying the puck and good habits.
Games:
We have played games using various formations and amount of nets.
– 3 x-ice games with one in each zone.
– 6 one zone games with 3 nets on each goal line.
– 2 nets on each goal line and 2 nets in the nzone as in a cross ice game. We played 6 games of 2 pass at once and used various modified rules.
– 1 net at each end.
Games:
– Each of the 6 games has a different kind of puck, ball or ring and we rotate between nets.
Game of 2 pass on one net. On transition from defense to offense you must make at least 2 passes before you can score. You must maintain possession within the zone.
Rule modifications with 2 pass.
– all the team must score before you can score again.
– only forehand passes are allowed.
– you must make an escape move before you can pass or shoot.
– only backward skating is allowed.
– 2" only with the puck.
X-ice Game rules.
– no rules.
– all must touch the puck before you can score.
– only one pass is allowed and then the puck carrier must score.
– 3 passes before scoring.
Full Ice Game with 60" shifts.
– three lines who change on the whistle.
Rules
– at least one pass in each zone.
– 2" rule.
– rules like the ones used in the other game.
Transition games at the 6 nets.
– attack-defend-pass rest rotation games of 1 on 1.
Skill drills:
-All players handle two balls at once. Many various kinds of balls from light plastic to lacrosse or field hockey. Every minute the whistle goes and you exchange balls and pucks for two you haven't handled. Stop a few times to point out how to hold the stick properly, have them handle one ball with just the top hand and then switch balls.
– Carry one ball and one puck at the same time and add putting from the skate to the stick and keeping them close.
Shooting Quickly
– Demo a quick snap shot off the inside leg while skating. Follow the shot and shoot any rebound. All the player skate across the ice and practice this shot from the Triple Threat Position.
– 6 groups shoot on six nets by skating around their group in the nzone and then going in and shooting.
– Shoot after a pass – add shoot and then pass to the first player in line who starts skating around the group when you start to shoot.
– Shoot using the D as a screen. – Shoot-Pass then play as a D and the shooter shoots thru the defenders legs, by the foot. Later practice a toe drag and shot, a fake then move the the forehand and shoot.
– From this we progressed to the transition game rotation where the defender passes to the first player in line near the red line and he attacks the original shooter.
Skating: They are doing one or two skating sessions a day with Gaston. When the ice was clean I had them stride and then look at the skate mark on the ice. You want a little inward bend that shows you are producing torque with your blade. If it is just a straight line and a puff of ice at the end, like most players make, then you are not creating the tension that produces and efficient stride.
Next sessions we will work on passing-receiving and getting open to support the puck using about 75% games to teach the game.
'The Game is the Greatest Coach'
'Enjoy the Game'