D Zone: Half Wall Hero (SAG)

Drill Diagram

Description

Designed to practice winger concepts in the defensive zone. This drill is essentially a 3 vs 3, but the main focus is d-zone coverage and that the winger does not let the puck carrier skate through their "quadrant" of the zone.

SETUP
Setup a 3 on 3 in one side of the zone (as pictured in the diagram).
On the whistle, an offensive puck carrier starts in the corner with a defenseman.
The puck carrier is working to carry the puck through the quadrant, or pass the puck to one of their point players before they attack the net.
The winger (shown as RW in the diagram) works to not let the puck carrier skate the puck through the quadrant and to kill the play before they are able to attack the net.
Coaches can blow down the drill after a goal, the defensive team gets the puck out of the zone, or when there is a coaching opportunity.
Get reps on both sides of the ice.

COACHING POINTS

Winger:
Do not let the puck carrier skate though the quadrant.
Keep your stick on the ice to block passing lanes and angle the puck carriers to the outside.
If the puck is passed to one of the point players, work quickly to get out and block their passing & shooting lanes.
If puck goes outside of your area, communicate with your defenseman and other winger to take coverage.

Offensive Team:
Support each other and work to be outlets for the puck carrier.
Point players - if you get the puck, move the puck quickly or work on fakes to open up passing & shooting lanes.

Notes: If black team moves the puck up and over and then chips to weak side corner for the low black player to chase, the Red D needs to make sure they aren't beaten off the wall and can win the race to the puck in the far corner.

D shouldn't be shooting if there isn't a net front or a driving player