Ice hockey drill library
Puck Protection in the Circle
© CoachTruly.com- Description
Played in the faceoff circle closest to the net, with a goaltender in net. Two players are inside the circle, each with a puck. The other players stand around the edge of the circle. The coach gives a task: for example, the puck carriers skate toward the players standing on the edge and protect the puck against the sticks they extend, or they seek body contact from them while keeping possession of the puck. On the coach's signal, one of the puck carriers shoots on net, and on the next signal, the other one shoots.
Each round lasts about half a minute, then roles are switched and a new task is tried.
In the second phase of the drill, the players standing on the edge are allowed to take one step into the circle and try to strip the puck.
- Coaching key points
- Protecting the puck with the body Body contact while maintaining puck possession Quick shot after the battle
- Key questions
- How do you keep the puck away from your opponent's stick? Why is it worth keeping your body between the opponent and the puck?