Reply To: Clearing the defensive zone

[Tom Molloy]

When the goalie coach is working at one end I would play some games and do a few movement drills.

Have about 5 or 6 players around each circle and have them pass with eye contact and with everyone giving a target. Then pass one puck and follow the pass, then repeat both with 2 pucks.

Break into groups of 2 on 2 or 3 on 3 and give each group an area of the ice to move in. Play keepaway where a team gets a point when they make 5 passes in a row. Rotatate groups every minutes and change the rules. i.e. only forehand, must take at least 3 strides before passing, only 2" with the puck, must pivot (all the rules require them to move before passing.

Do the Detroit regroup drill with everyone (I posted how to do this about two weeks ago where 2 skate and regoup with opposite 2 at the far blueline. They hing and pass back then get a pass and do the same the opposite way. You could shoot into the empty net at one end.

when you get your goalies play full ice 3 on 3 or 4 on 4 with the rule that you must take at least 3 hard strides before passing and can't rim. Another rule is that you can't pass until you have beaten at least one player, then at least one pass per zone. You can also play that one pass per zone is needed but you can't pass until you have carried over a blue line and only one pass is allowed in the offensive end.

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