1. USA Hockey: 6U, 8U, & 10U Practice Plans and Program Information
2. Hockey Canada: 6U, 8U, 10U, 12U, 14U, Midget, & Goalie Practice Plans, Drills, and Program Information
3. M2 Hockey’s Beginner Station Manual

Enjoy the resources!

Download Drills in PDF Format

www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZkZSZ6JaHc

As always, if you have questions or comments on the video, please feel free to leave them in the comments section below.

In the interview, John discusses two important principles: the law of addition (servanthood) and the law of the picture (people do what they see).  Both these concepts have a direct importance to the roll of youth hockey coach.  If you’re not coaching to serve the youth you have the opportunity to work with, you’re doing everyone a disservice.  If you don’t have a genuine interest to serve at heart, coaching is a tough road.

The law of the picture is crucial -- people do what people see.  This is especially true when you’re working with kids.  They’re extremely impressionable, be sure you’re setting the right example.  It will not only help you mold the youth, it will also help you gain credibility as a coach.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=HuP8tpLotvc

If the book is of interest to you, here’s a link to purchase it.  The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership by John C. Maxwell

Note: This is an affiliate link, so if you do purchase the book from this link, I will get a small percentage back.  As always, it is not the primary reason I posted this resource.  I am an avid fan of John C. Maxwell’s work and have read, watched, and listened to several of his programs (see the screenshot from my iTunes library below).  I simply hope this is a valuable resource for you!

The first scenario has two offensive players attacking up ice with the puck carrier along the wall.  As the puck carrier approaches the defenseman, he begins to cut to the middle of the ice.  The second forward proceeds to cut behind the defenseman (before the blue line, and being sure not to interfere with the defender’s established lane).  The puck carrying forward makes a simple pass off the wall for the second forward to pick up (staying onside).

This tactic creates a couple of different situations to examine.  First, by the puck carrier cutting to the middle before the pass, the defender is forced to respect the position of the puck carrier, thus creating more space along the wall for the area the pass will eventually go.  While the board pass can still be effective to a teammate without the step the middle, the extra movement often helps create extra space for the recipient of the pass.

Next, by having one forward moving behind the defenseman, the puck carrier moving to the middle, and the puck moving off the boards, this can create a lot of confusion for the defender, as he’s forced to make a decision on what to defend -- which also requires communication with his/her defense partner.

If the play is executed cleanly, the original puck carrier should cut to the net and look to create a 2 on 1 against the remaining defender (if any).  Below is a diagram of how the play should look.

Another way to enter effectively using a board pass is to actually pass the puck to yourself and side-step the defender.  In this scenario, the puck carrier will skate directly at the defenseman, chip the puck off the boards, and go around the opposite side of the player.  This will create confusion for the defender, as he’s forced to make a split-second decision on whether to 1) pivot to get the puck 2) pivot to take the player 3) stand his ground.  If you get the defending player to pivot, the offensive player has the advantage as there tends to be a loss of speed when players pivot from backwards to forward, while the offensive player can accelerate forward and get around the defender.  If the defenseman decides to hold his ground and not let you through, the best option is to keep your feet moving and try to get around him.  Many times officials will call an interference penalty since the puck has already left your possession.  By the rules, defenders should be allowed to hold their established lane, but cannot continue to impede you after any initial contact.

Below is a diagram of this scenario along with an NHL YouTube clip of the play in use.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=1a74fecr2mY

When possible, try to incorporate some of these tactics into your practices so players will be comfortable enough to use them in game situations.

“We must all hang together, else we shall all hang separately” – Ben Franklin

“In order to have a winner, the team must have a feeling of unity.  Every player must put the team first, ahead of personal glory.” – “Bear” Bryant

“Teamwork is the ability to work together toward a common vision.  The ability to direct individual accomplishment toward organized objectives. It is the fuel that allows common people to attain uncommon results….Simply put, it is less me and more we.” – John C. Maxwell

“I can do what you can’t do and you can do what I can’t do. Together we can do great things.” – Mother Teresa

“Efforts and courage are not enough without purpose and direction.” – John F. Kennedy

“Coming together is a beginning.  Keeping together is progress.  Working together is success.” – Henry Ford

“A championship team is a team of champions.” – Unknown

“None of us is as smart as all of us.” – Ken Blanchard

“Teamwork divides the task and doubles the success.” – Unknown

“The will to win is worthless if you do not have the will to prepare” – Thane Yost

“Teamwork is not a performance, it’s a requirement.” – John Wooden

Got a favorite quote?  Share it with the community by leaving it in the comment section below!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=17561woJ7MI

Teaching Key Points:

• Use powerful cross-overs after your transitions to cover ice
• Use one-foot stops on the transitions
• Practice quick starts from the middle
• Stay low the entire time
• Keep the stick in control and in front of the body
• Run the drill both directions

Here’s a quick clip outlining a few different concepts with the ringette ring:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=i7sMin5fIvI

Here are some drill ideas to try out with a ringette ring:

• 1 x 1 Small Area Battles w/ Mini Goals
• 1 x 1 Circle Battles
• 2 x 2 Small Area Game w/ Mini Goals (or cones)
• 3 x 3 Small Area Game w/ Mini Goals

Search for Ringette Rings on Google

www.youtube.com/watch?v=7JAK88JSDSc

Some key points to keep in mind while running this drill:

• Make sure the player keeps his/her hips and shoulders facing up ice, don’t let them turn into the crossovers
• Force older players to push themselves to execute the drill with fewer steps -- stronger skaters should be able to cover the ground from the middle to the edge of the circle in 2/3 steps
• Ensure they’re getting powerful starts off each stop
• Keep the head up

View Star Drill Page on HockeyShare.com for Diagram & More Info

www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4rifS5ug24

Quick key points:

• Knee bend
• Bring feet all the way back together
• No “bobbing”
• Arms move front-to-back, not side-to-side
• Push out at a 45 degree angle
• Keep your return skate low to the ice (but not dragging)
• The toe of your skate should be the last thing to leave the ice