Posted via email from Jeremy Weiss’ Posterous

4-Pass Hockey Warm-up Drill: Recorded, Edited, and Posted from my iPhone!

Hey folks!! I’m pretty excited about this post. Not because the drill is all that earth-shattering (although it is a great little drill!), but because I produced the ENTIRE thing from my iPhone!! I love my iPhone, and happened to find a really nice little drill diagraming app called Play Board XT.

After messing around with it a bit, I thought… “hey, it would be really cool if I could record myself showing a drill on here!” So, I did a little digging, and a little “finagling,” and figured out a way to make it all happen… pretty cool technology I’d say!!

IMPORTANT: So, if you’re interested in purchasing Play Board XT, make sure you get the ICE HOCKEY version (they offer it in multiple sports). If you want to eliminate any confusion CLICK HERE, and it’ll take you straight to the right one.

Enjoy!!!

Jeremy

A very versatile drill to work on Breakouts, Regroups, and Attacks

Since finishing up our Coaches’ Training Course, a few people have asked about different ways of practicing some of the systems we discussed in the course. This drill is in response to the questions about practicing breakouts and regroups.

The “Breakout, Regroup, Regroup, Attack Drill” is extremely versatile, and can be used to work on a number of different game situations. After your team gets good at it, try throwing in a forechecker (or two). You can designate where and how you want the forechecking pressure coming in, which will make your defensemen have to read and react to different scenarios.

For a more detailed explanation of the Swing Regroup mentioned in this video, CLICK HERE

Enjoy!

CLICK HERE for a PDF of the Breakout, Regroup, Regroup, Attack Drill

A few Neutral Zone Faceoff options that have worked well for me in the past

Neutral zone faceoffs are a good time to get a little more aggressive than maybe you otherwise would be. Here are a few “more aggressive” options I like to throw in every once in a while to catch the other team off guard.

Enjoy!

A few Defensive Zone Faceoff options that have worked well for me in the past

I like to have VERY structured positioning and responsibilities in my defensive zone play––including faceoffs!! This particular set-up will leave you in great position for a breakout if we win the draw, and great position for defensive zone coverage if we lose the draw. Either way we are covered!

This set-up also allows for a few “more aggressive” options that I like to use every now and then to catch the other team off guard.

Enjoy!

A few Offensive Zone Faceoff options that have worked well for me in the past

Here are a few of my favorite offensive zone faceoff options. Remember, it is up to the centerman to make sure everyone is ready, and on the same page before the puck is dropped. I recommend naming your faceoff plays so the communication is quick and simple before the draw.

Enjoy!

Two variations of the “T” Penalty Kill Forecheck

I’ve always been a fan of the “T” PK Forecheck. If done correctly, it is very effective at stopping the other team’s breakout, and causes a lot of turnovers in the neutral zone.

Over the years, I’ve developed a slightly “beefed up” version of the “T” Forecheck, that is more aggressive, and just as safe (if not, safer!). In this video, I show you both versions. As you’ll see in the video, the second version can actually cause a lot of offensive-zone turnovers and odd-man rushes… ON YOUR PK!!

Enjoy!

The Umbrella is a tricky power play set-up to defend against. Here’s a quick discussion on what I think works, and what doesn’t work…

The Umbrella is a very effective power play set-up (which is why so many higher-level teams use it!). In order to defend against the Umbrella, your team will need a more complex PK set-up than the Simple Box, or either version of the Wedge +1. Your players will also need highly developed tactical skills such as angling and taking away passing lanes.

Enjoy!

The Expanded Wedge +1 is strategically very similar to the “Sagging” Zone Arrow d-zone coverage

The Expanded Wedge +1 is even more aggressive than the Wedge +1, and is very similar to the “Sagging” Zone Arrow defensive zone coverage set-up.

You need fast players that anticipate well to use this one, but if executed properly, it can be extremely effective. Remember, if the opposing team brings a second man to the front of the net, you either have to switch to a different PK system, or concede one of the passing lanes.

Enjoy!

The Wedge +1 is strategically very similar to the “Sagging” Zone d-zone coverage

The Wedge +1 is a more advanced, more aggressive penalty kill, that operates similar to our “Sagging” Zone defensive zone coverage set-up. This set-up allows the closest “corner” of the box to challenge the puck carrier, while the other three players remain in front of the net.

Make sure your players understand when to “force” the puck carrier, and when to “contain” the puck carrier. Reading this incorrectly will cause problems for you! Also, remind your weak-side forward and defenseman to keep their heads on a swivel, and not to let anyone creep in behind them on the backdoor.

Enjoy!