Forecheck: Neutral Zone Trap

Offensive Zone, Team Systems
Beat teams that are better than you with the Neutral Zone Trap! The Neutral Zone Trap is a super effective forechecking set-up. In fact, it is almost too good. The reason I say that is because it allows players to "get by" on very little raw skill and ability. Because of this characteristic, I don't recommend teaching it to younger age groups. So, if you coach an older team, add this to your team's tool belt! When I first moved to the states, the team I ended up on was horrible. We spent the first half of the season in last place, and double-diget losses were common place against the top teams in the league. However, half-way through the season we learned the trap. All of a sudden we began…
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Stickhandling: SmartHockey Ball Review

Coaches' Corner, Hockey Drills, Hockey Equipment, Individual Skill Drills, Individual Skills, Off-ice Training, Puckhandling, Skills, Stickhandling, Useful Products
The SmartHockey Stickhandling Ball is Something Every Hockey Player Should Have in His or Her Bag! Every once in a while a hockey product comes along that just makes sense. The SmartHockey Stickhandling Ball is one of those products. I've been using the Smart Ball for about 7 years now, and I've really enjoyed it. There are a few reasons why the Smart Ball is such an effective stickhandling tool. Versatility and Durability Since it's a ball, the Smart Ball can be used on many different surfaces. You can take it inside and use it on carpet, bring it to the rink and use it on the rubber flooring there (I keep a Smart Ball in my bag to use for warming up my hands before games), or you can…
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Introduction: Course Overview

Coaches' Corner, Hockey Equipment, Off-ice Training, Skills, Useful Products
Welcome to Weiss Tech Hockey's Home Hockey Training Center! As you know, hockey is a complex game that combines MANY different skills. Great hockey players can skate well, stickhandle, shoot, pass... they're strong, fast, smart, and make the right decision at the right time! One of the biggest mistakes many hockey players make is that they only work on their skills at the rink; they only work on their speed and strength at the rink; and they only work on their hockey smarts at the rink. In today's game, if you're only developing your abilities during your regular practices and games, you're probably not going to achieve your full potential. The best players I know are at the gym on their own, working on their hockey skills off the ice,…
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Musical Pucks

Musical Pucks

Fun, Hockey Drills, Individual Skill Drills, Misc. Drills, Skating & Agility, Small Area Games, Team Skill Drills
Musical Pucks is a great game to help youngsters work on crossovers Working on crossovers can be hard and frustrating for many young hockey players. I've found that turning skill development drills into shooting drills or games can make them a lot more fun and motivating to work on. Musical Pucks is a small area game that demonstrates this tactic well. Here's the diagram and explanation: Musical Pucks 1. Put one less puck in the middle than you have players on circle 2. Players cross over until whistle 3. On whistle, each player tries to get a puck - whoever doesn't get one is out 4. Make sure to run it both directions so players practice crossing over both ways. Enjoy!! USE THIS DRILL IN YOUR OWN PRACTICE PLAN:
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Give and Go Shooting Drill

Give and Go Shooting Drill

Half Ice Drills, Hockey Drills, Individual Skill Drills, Misc. Drills, Offensive Zone, Passing & Timing, Shooting, Team Skill Drills
This half-ice drill mimics recurring offensive-zone situations This drill is simple and straight to the point. Players must learn to read the pressure, get a pass back to the corner, and execute a give-and-go. This is a situation that happens again and again in games. Learn it and use it! Here's the diagram and explanation: Give & Go Shooting 1. first player passes out to point man - then attacks 2. point man bank passes back to next player in line 3. receiver executes a give and go with point man 4. point man shoots 5. player who attacked becomes new point man Enjoy! USE THIS DRILL IN YOUR OWN PRACTICE PLAN:
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