- runs out of both ends simultaneously
- the groups are limited to only half of the ice (split length-wise
- F begins the drill by passing to D (both players start against the
boards)
- D walks to the middle to improve his passing angle and options
- F times his cut to the middle so that he does not skate ahead of the D
and the puck (thereby saving his ice and properly timing his arrival in the
prime receiving area)
- remind both players that they have limited space in which to work
- after receiving his pass the F skates in and shoots on the goal
-F returns to the same line of Fs after shooting
- D also returns to same line
Variations:
1. D follows his pass and joins the attack with the F he just passed to
2. after passing to F, the D moves up to play a 1 on 1 with the F who is coming form the opposite end of the ice (great gap-closing drill)
3. first F1 in line passes to D and then provides forechecking pressure on him; F2 then receives the pass from the D; F1 then backchecks on F2 or joins him in the attack
4. F1 passes to D1 and then forechecks hard on D1; D1 makes an "evasive" turnback and passes up the boards to F1; F2 then hits F1 who comes back hard in the middle to support F2 on the attack; D1 can also move up to provide triangulation to the attack
There are several other progressions one can add eventually making this drill a full neutral zone regroup going in both directions. Please mail me with questions if I've confused you.
Thanks to Mark Bruce
Vincent Massey Trojans, Winnipeg High School Hockey League