18Feb 2013 by Jeremy Weiss No Comments

Swing Regroup: FAQ

Coaches' Corner, Neutral Zone, Neutral Zone Tactics, Philosophy, Team Skills, Team Systems
Some Frequently Asked Questions on the Swing Regroup In our Coaches' Training Course we outline the fundamentals of the Swing Regroup, which is one of my favorite regroup set-ups. Over the past few weeks, I've received a number of emails with questions on the Swing Regroup. So I figured it was time to put together an FAQ video. The problem many coaches were having, was differentiating between the "textbook version" and the "read and react version." In other words... in a perfect world, we draw up the play, and the players perform it exactly as diagrammed, AKA textbook execution. However, in the actual game, sometimes it happens as planned, but many times it doesn't. In these cases there's a degree of improvisation that needs to be accounted for... this is…
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23Jul 2012 by Jeremy Weiss No Comments
MacDonald Forecheck Drill

MacDonald Forecheck Drill

1 on 1's, 2 on 2's, 2 on 1's, 3 on 2's, Breakouts, Checking & Angling, Defensive Zone, Forecheck, Hockey Drills, Offensive Zone, Team Skill Drills, Team Systems Drills
MacDonald Forecheck Drill The MacDonald Forecheck is a nice little drill to work on forechecking lanes and angles. Here's the diagram and explanation: MacDonald Forecheck Drill 1. On whistle, forecheckers take a lap around the center circle 2. As the forecheckers finish their lap, coach dumps the puck in 3. Forecheckers attack, 5-man unit breaks out 4. After the breakout occurs, puck is passed back to the coach 5. 2 of the 3 forwards peel out to take a lap around the middle circle, becoming the new forecheckers (forwards must communicate who goes!) 6. As forecheckers finish the turn, coach dumps the puck in for a breakout from the far end 7. New 5-man unit moves into the end that just broke out Enjoy! Jeremy   USE THIS DRILL IN…
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30Oct 2010 by Jeremy Weiss No Comments
The Star Drill

The Star Drill

Goalie, Hockey Drills, Individual Skill Drills
The star drill is a great drill to teach young goalies the art of moving around the crease! If done correctly, this drill will generate create good habits moving around the crease, and the goalies will become more "Crease Aware" (knowing where they are in their crease). Here's the diagram, as well as a variation to take the concept to the next level: The Star Drill Goalie starts at the post, then skates the following sequence (see our post on the 11 Visual Targets for Hockey Goalies) 1. Position 11 2. Position 6 3. Position 9 4. Position 1 5. Position 6 6. Position 3 7. Back to Position 11 8. Repeat the opposite way Variation Goalie performs start drill, reacting to the passes of the three forwards 1. Forward…
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21Oct 2010 by Jeremy Weiss No Comments
Michigan Tech 1 on 1 Drill

Michigan Tech 1 on 1 Drill

1 on 1's, 2 on 2's, 2 on 1's, 3 on 2's, Hockey Drills, Team Skill Drills
The Michigan Tech 1 on 1 Drill is fantastic for working gap control, passing, agility skating, and many other skills! This is one of my favorite 1 on 1 drills because you can use it to work on so many different skills. Make sure your forwards swing fairly deep into the zone to receive the breakout pass. This will allow the opposing defenseman time to close the gap properly and play the 1 on 1 the way he or she should in a game. Also, make sure your defensemen get outside the blue line... that gap MUST be closed, and the defensemen need to be able to get their speed up quickly after the pivot. Here's the diagram: Michigan Tech 1 on 1 1. On whistle, 2 forwards and 2…
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24May 2010 by Jeremy Weiss 4 Comments
3 on 0, 3 on 1, 3 on 2 Drill

3 on 0, 3 on 1, 3 on 2 Drill

1 on 1's, 2 on 2's, 2 on 1's, 3 on 2's, Hockey Drills, Team Skill Drills
Full-Ice Odd-Man-Rush Drill What's up guys!! I got an interesting email the other day from Mika from Australia. Because of the size of his local rink, and the limited number of players there, they play 3 on 3 (which sounds like a blast to me!). Anyways, he asked if I had any drills that focused on 3-man set-ups and game situations... this drill immediately came to mind! It's a great drill for imitating odd-man rush scenarios, and is also GREAT conditioning for the forwards. Here's the explanation and diagram: 3 on 0, 3 on 1, 3 on 2 1. Forwards in one bench, Defensemen in the other 2. On whistle, 3 Forwards swing low and receive a breakout pass from the Coach, then attack 3 on 0 3. After a…
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