1. 4 Dot Shooting

Simple shooting drill that encompasses a number of skating and stick skills. Players line up on the four dots with pucks in all four lines. Opposite lines start. Player one makes a pass and then skates a button hook pattern with a mohawk maneuver at the end. The player in the line opposite receives the pass and bumps it to the next player in the line that started the drill. That player then passes to the player who skated the pattern who goes in and takes a shot.

Another variation is to have the player who skates the pattern exchange with the opposite line twice while skating towards them, then receive a flat pass while they are mohawking towards the boards.

While the execution of the drill is simple, players need to focus on doing everything at full speed. Passes should be flat and on the tape. The skating pattern should develop a players ability to use their edges. Player need to attack the net hard with a wide drive and shoot in stride, stopping at the net for a rebound opportunity.

Received some great feedback from TJ Manastersky, Head Coach at Curry College about some variations to yesterday’s drill of the week. The original drill is on the bottom half of the diagram in black. The variations are at the top.

The first variation involves an exchange between the two lines and then a flat pass to the mohawked player on the flank who goes in for a shot. The second variation is in blue, with the player who makes the flat pass driving the net for a 2v0/rebound opportunity. The third variation is in green, with the player who mohawks driving in deep, cutting back and hitting the second player for a trailing shot opportunity.

Two players from the diagonal corners will go at the same time. The first player will carry the puck across the ice as though they are skating around the neutral zone face off dot. The second player in line will skate straight ahead and open up to receive a pass from the other line's first player. Once this player receives the pass they step to the middle of the ice so they can chip the puck off the boards at a better angle. The player that passed the puck picks up the chip with speed and carries it into the zone. The player that chips the puck has to sprint to the far post and receive a pass back from the first player.

3. 2v0/ 3v0 Wide Zone Entry with Curl

2 on 0

1. F1 skates out of centre circle

2. F2 starts with puck and passes to F1

3. F1 skates over blue line (wide zone entry) and does a curl at circle (vary down low to top of circle)

4. After passes to F1, F2 delays and then skates in behind F1 to support entry then skates towards slot area

5. F1 passes to F2 and F2 shoots. Both players skate to net for rebound. Switch sides.

3 on 0

- F3 delays and looks for a pass from F1 or goes to net for rebound from shot from F2.

2-0/3-0 With Board Pass to Trailer

2 on 0

1. F1 skates out of centre circle

2. F2 starts with puck and passes to F1

3. F1 skates over blue line (wide zone entry) and banks puck of boards to F2

4. After F2 passes to F1, F2 delays and then skates in behind F1 to support entry then picks up puck off wall

5. F2 shoots and players skate to net for rebound. Switch sides.

3 on 0

- F3 delays and looks for a pass from F2 or goes to net for rebound from shot from F2.