This drill outlines play of forwrads without the puck when regrouping. It also stresses good partner passing in transition area for defemceman. The drill starts in theneutral zone with the centerman hitting the nearside D with a pass from mid ice. The centerman the loops up ice wingers follow staying wide. Once the forwards hit the red line the loop back be available for a pass from the D. Meanwhile as forwards skate pattern the D parntner pass with the first D getting the puck back before he feeds the centerman. Defenceman skate deep to the dots before getting pass pivot backwards and then step up ice.(see diagram) Cues
Timing is crucial in this drill with forwards and defencemen reaching the regroup at the same time. Forwards are told by the coach why teams regroup in the neutral zone (3 reasons). Quality passing and controlled skating to fast accelleration taking the O-zone.
Variation: Defence may hit any forward with pass. Add O-zone strategies (Triangulation)
Thanks to Malcolm Sutherland
for his weekly drill submissions.
Malcolm Sutherland H.B. kin., C.P.T.
Owner Director of Superior Hockey Schools (superiorhockey.com)
email
Advanced certified Coach with Hockey Canada
Assistant Coach of the Thunder Bay Thunder Cats United Hockey League(Minor Pro.)
Certified Personal Trainer (American Council on Exercise; and IDEA)
Hockey Author
Inside Hockey / Hockey Player Magazine
Thunder Bay Hockey News on the web Youth Hockey Network (YHN.COM)