Ice hockey drill library
1v1 to the offensive zone along the boards
© CoachTruly.com- Description
Played into one net, with a goaltender in net. The forwards' line is in the neutral zone along the lower boards, and the defensemen's line is in the offensive zone inside the blue line, in the middle. The coach stands at the red line next to the boards with pucks.
The coach passes the puck to a forward, who carries it along the boards, over the blue line, and toward the net. The defenseman skates backward ahead of the forward, steering him toward the boards and away from the front of the net. The forward tries to get to a shooting position. Play continues until a goal is scored, the shot is blocked, or the defenseman wins the puck.
In the second phase of the drill, the defenseman starts at the red line, meaning he must first skate back into the offensive zone before he can close in and pressure the forward.
- Coaching key points
- Defense: steering the forward toward the boards Backward skating and gap control Stick on the puck, body positioned between the forward and the net
- Key questions
- Why is it beneficial to steer the forward toward the boards? When can the defenseman stop skating backward and close the gap?