Drills for Defense

1. Continuous Reverse:

This hockey drill is for working on the reverse. It is a continuous so the players get lots of reps and touches and helps the players become more comfortable with this type of play. The drill needs a minimum of three players, one coach or passer, and one puck. To start the drill the first defense starts behind the goal line and makes a pass to the coach along the boards. The defense should try to stay in line with the dots as they transition back towards the goal line and receive the puck back from the passer. The defense then controls the puck and skates around the net. D2 needs to yell "Reverse" and when the puck is reversed, they pick up the puck and repeat the drill.

2. D Skating and Passing 3 Parts - Part (i)

Single line of D

1. D backpedals straight back with puck. At faceoff dot, quickly slides to his

forehand or backhand towards hashmark. At hashmark, makes quick

headman pass to next D in line

Progression

2. D backpedals straight back with puck. At faceoff dot, quickly slides to his

forehand or backhand towards hashmark. At hashmark, makes quick

headman pass to next D in line. Skates quickly back up to front of line, gets

puck and repeats drill, only to slide in opposite direction

3. D Skating and Passing 3 Parts - Part (ii)

Single line of D

1. D backpeddles straight back with puck. At faceoff dot does an escape

move to his forehand or backhand towards hashmark. At hashmark, makes

quick headman pass to next D in line

Progression

D backpeddles straight back with puck. At faceoff dot, does an escape

move to his forehand or backhand towards hashmark. At hashmark, makes

quick headman pass to next D in line. Skates quickly back up to front of line

gets puck and repeats drill, only to do an escape move in opposite direction

4. D Skating and Passing 3 Parts - Part (iii)

Single line of D

1. D backpedals straight back with puck. At face-off dot does an escape

move to his forehand, then quickly performs second escape move to

backhand. At hashmark, makes quick headman pass to next D in line

Alternate going backhand first then forehand second next time

5. D to D & Shot

6. D to D with Reverse

*Coach dumps puck into corner. RD backpedals and pivots to retrieve

puck. D partner goes to front of net, sees opportunity to provide passing

option in far corner skates into position and yells for pass.

*LD makes D to D pass behind net.

*RD moves feet up ice and makes pass to D (1) at near side hash mark

position

* D (1) skates to blue line and makes D to D pass to partner (2) for quick shot on net.

7. Behind the Net Breakout

Coach dumps puck into corner.

*D backpedals and turns to retrieve the puck.

*D gets the puck and skates behind the net and makes breakout pass to D

standing on the hash marks

*D receiving pass skates around top of circle and takes quick shot on net.

*D then turns, skates to blueline, pivots backwards and commences drill out

of other corner.

Option: Have F positioned along wall to receive pass and take shot on net

and have D follow pass and play quick 1 on 1

8. SPS (START, POKECHECK, STOP)

This is a hockey drill is a conditioning drill but also works on some habits useful for the defensive zone. Place three pucks around the perimeter deep the zone as shown in the diagram. Both players need to start facing away from their own net. On the whistle, D1 explodes to one of the pucks of their choice, as they stop at the puck they make a good solid poke check and then skate hard back the slot area and communicate to their partner they are back (either tapping them or yelling a call out such as "GO"). Once D2 hears the call out or feels a tap then they do the same thing towards a puck of their choice.

There are three things to focus on in this hockey drill:

1. As they stop and start, make sure players are NOT crossing over. Try to get them in the habit of making a more efficient first step by opening up and pushing off their back leg.
2. Make a good solid poke check by making good contact with the puck and they should try to use their periferal vision instead of looking at the puck.
3. Players also need to communicate by using their call out to let their partner know they are back in front of the net and it is ok to go challenge the perimeter.

9. Continuous Hinge Drill

This is a defensive specific hockey drill that requires a minumum of 4 players, 1 puck, and one half of the ice. The players should line up along the boards at center ice. If possible it is best for the players to go with their defensive partner. The first player in line on the strong side (D1) starts backwards and calls for the puck. The weak side defense (D2) starts near the middle of the ice and provides support for their partner as they receive the puck. D2 needs to call for the puck and be in a good support position to receive the pass and transition up ice. The pass is then made to the next defense in line as though they are the winger providing an outlet. Both defense skate outside the blue ine and transition backwards, this time D2 is along the boards and D1 is in the middle of the ice providing support. D2 will receive the pass as they are going backwards and make a pass to D1 when they call for the puck. D1 transitions up ice and makes a pass to the next player in line and they start the drill over again. This time as they transition up ice, D2 will make a pass to the next player in their line and the next two defense in line will start the drill over again. D1 and D2 go back to the end of their line.

There are a couple of key points that should be emphasized. First, the players need to always be in a good support position and no more than half the width of the ice surface apart. If they get to spread out the drill will fall apart quickly. Another important habit is to make sure the make firm passes when going from defense to defense. The players should also always give their partner a good forehand target when calling for the puck.

10. DUMP WITH GIVE & GO

This goal of this drill is to get the defensemen working on their backward to forward pivot and making a good first breakout pass. As simple as this drill looks, make sure the p[layers are doing it right. When picking up the puck from the corner, they need to keep their feet moving and gain the far post. When turning up ice, they need to stay within the face off dots, make the pass, and continue up ice as fast as possible. Don't overestimate how effective this drill can be when executed over and over. The faster the defense can do this drill the less time you can expect to spend in your defensive zone.