Ice Hockey Coaching Blog

IHS Members: Add Your Own Logo to Your Hockey Drawings! Once you create a drawing, you can save it, add a video example, add it to a practice plan, and share it. Learn how to add your logo in 3 steps by watching the video above or by following the steps below: Click "My Account" on the top right of your account and click "My Profile." Upload your teams logo and click "Save." Start...

The team at IHS would like to thank all of our members and hockey coaches around the world for your support in 2020. Let's be honest, 2020 was tough for everyone, even the world of hockey. Rinks and leagues across the world were shut down overnight. Seasons canceled or cut short. Parents and fans unable to watch in person. The uncertainty, unexpected challenges, and adversity impacted...

One of the toughest plays in hockey is for a winger to break out a rimming puck with defensive pressure. In this video, Topher Scott from The Hockey Think Tank gives us pointers on how to approach this tough play with a comprehensive breakdown of Pat Maroon’s breakout play in game 5 of the 2019 Stanley Cup Finals. Key Points: Shoulder check before you get the puck to see where the pressure is...

Description In the video above, Topher Scott from the Hockey Think Tank gives us a comprehensive breakdown of a goal that was generated by Ryan O’Reilly’s puck protection skills. Puck protection is often an undervalued skill, but is so important to maintain possession and create scoring opportunities for your team. Key Points Beat the defender to the puck with good body position. Stay low...

Backhand-Forehand Earlier we looked at Two-Touch forehand shots from the weakside and strongside (view the previous Two Touch Shot breakdown to learn more). This breakdown, will take a look at a third type of Two-Touch shot -- shooting on the forehand -- after receiving a pass on the backhand. Specifically, we will take a look at this type of shot on Zone Entry. While the logistics of...

IHS is proud to announce our new Drill Drawing Tool! The tool has been in relentless development for months and we are excited to share it with our members and the hockey community. You may have seen that coaches can draw on it for free, which is true, but the real value of this tool comes for IHS Members. This post details how to get the most out of the drawing tool if you...

The two-touch shot is an advanced skill which uses technique, deception, and stick technology. The idea behind the technique is to stop (kill) the puck on the reception of the pass (FIRST TOUCH) and then release the shot with the SECOND TOUCH. We will take a look at two types of forehand two-touch shots: 1. Strong side - the player opens up to the puck. Right Shot on Left Side Left Shot...

The skill breakdown dives into the STUTTER STOP STEP, which the illusion of a cutback to escape pressure and create space. It builds off of the Open Hips & Closed Hips skill breakdowns.  For this maneuver you turn BOTH SKATES and begin to execute what looks like a traditional a two-foot hockey stop. However, rather than fully dig your blades into the ice, you quickly...

This breakdown is about the inside to outside move with changing pace. We breakdown two goals, one from Connor McDavid and another from David Pastrnak. Key Points: Change of Speed - changing your skating pace can lull the defenseman to sleep while they slow down to your speed. Use Deception - as you slow down, use deception to make the defenseman bite and think you...