Ice Hockey Drills Now over 280 animated hockey drills!

Defending from an attack behind the net can be a tough play for defensive players.  This hockey drill is set up for defense to work on these situations.  Forwards form a line below the goal line about even with the dots and facing the net.  The defense should line up in front of the net a couple of feet in front of the crease with their heels pointed to the net.  The forwards start the drill by carrying the puck behind the net.  Once they reach the far post their goal is to try and get to the front of the net for a scoring chance.

This is a hockey drill that can be classified as conditioning drill but also works on some habits useful for the defensive zone.  Players need to pair up, idealy with their defensive partner.  Place three pucks around the perimeter deep the zone as shown in the diagram.  Both players need to start facing away from their own net.

This focus of this drill is for defense to work on their communication skills in the breakout.  This drill was designed with a half-ice practice in mind. It is a situational drill that will force the defense to use communication in order to make the right pass in order to break out.   The weak side defensive player will have to read where the second forechecker is, then make the call to the player who is under pressure from the first forechecker. To set up, the coach should have all the pucks in the middle of the ice at about the hash marks.

This is a defensive zone coverage drill with an emphasis on the wingers.  This is for teams that use a defensive zone system in which the wingers are responsible for covering the defense.  To set up the drill place 5 offensive players in the zone spread out with one player in each corner, a player in the slot, and two players on the blue line (the offensive defense) as shown.  Two defensive wingers start in their defensive positions and one of the offensive players start with the puck.

This 2 on 2 drill for both defense and forwards.  Set up players as shown in the diagram.  Either the forwards or defense start on their knees to give them a slight disadvantage. Whomever you think needs to be challenged more should start on their knees. To start the drill, the players are facing the boards (in some cases they will be on their knees).

Offensively this drill helps players develop the habit of passing and moving to open space to expect a return pass.  For defensive players, they are able to work on staying between their man and the net becuase they know when the whistle blows the forward will be trying to get to the net for a scoring chance.