Shooting: Shooter Tutor Review

Coaches' Corner, Hockey Equipment, Off-ice Training, Skills, Useful Products
The Shooter Tutor is one of my All-time Favorite Hockey Shooting Aids! I first began using the Shooter Tutor when I was about 10 years old back in Toronto. My dad used to keep one in the trunk incase we had ever had a goalie "no-show" us for practice. During high school (about 6 years later), I kept that same Shooter Tutor strapped to a full-sized goal in our side yard. I left it up through rain and shine, and shot anywhere from 50 to 100 pucks a day during the summers. Needless to say, it saw its fair share of abuse from me! Years later, when I began running my own skill development camps, the first thing I invested in were two Shooter Tutors. There's nothing worse than showing…
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Shooting: EZ Goal Review

Coaches' Corner, Hockey Equipment, Off-ice Training, Skills, Useful Products
The EZ Goal and Backstop combo is a durable, versatile, and inexpensive way work on your shot from home! One of the highest priorities in my Home Hockey Training Center was to have a solid shooting station. The first step is to have a good goal that you can shoot real pucks at. I chose the EZ Goal and Backstop because it is a full sized, durable, and portable piece of equipment. The design is very cool, and it can actually fold up for easy storage. Assembling the EZ Goal frame was very simple. It took me about 35 minutes to build both the net and backstop. Most of it snaps together with spring-loaded pins. The few tools that were needed actually came with the net (other than a phillips…
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3 on 3 “D” Support

3 on 3 “D” Support

1 on 1's, 2 on 2's, 2 on 1's, 3 on 2's, Hockey Drills, Small Area Games, Team Skill Drills
3 on 3 "D" Support is a great small area game to work on game situations in tight quarters This small area game drill give players a chance to work on quick transitions, give and go passes and set-ups, and swinging to become a passing option. It's a fantastic drill that can be used by teams at almost any level! Here's the diagram: 3 on 3 "D" Support 1. Forwards battle 3 on 3 in NZ, but can't pass imaginary goal line. 2. If puck passes goal line, respective defenseman must break it out (he can grab a new puck to keep up the pace). 3. Forwards must swing to get open. Opposing forwards can pressure Defenseman, but can't cross line. 4. Defenseman can't cross line either. Enjoy! USE THIS…
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Overspeed Agility Drill

Overspeed Agility Drill

Hockey Drills, Individual Skill Drills, Shooting, Skating & Agility
The Overspeed Agility Drill brings in many different skating elements! I've mentioned before that technical skating drills can be boring and monotonous for many youngsters. The problem is that skating ability is SO essential... you HAVE to find ways of developing it! One method I've found to work with youngsters––and older players too :)--is to add a shot at the end of a skating drill. This tactic turns it from a skating drill into a shooting drill, and is much more fun and motivating for the players. Start with no pucks. As your players progress, add a puck, then start making them do 5 push-ups for each time they lose the puck. Players must be able to execute these skating maneuvers at full speed without mishandling the puck. Add more…
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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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