HALF-ICE LANES

Setup: Four lanes and groups are created with pylons and sticks. The drill will maximize repetitions and use progressions that players will use to create deception, quick hands and puck control skills. Coaches are encouraged to be creative with this template.

Skills involved:

• Body and puck on opposite sides going around pylon
• Stutter-step puck protection; turn your back to defender
• Heel-to-heel through pylons
• Figure-8 tight turns with and without puck
• Toes up-ice with and without puck

Key teaching points:

• Explosive starts and quick stops
• Head up and use of peripheral vision
• Quick hands and feet
• Put puck in safest place and protect it
• Repetition without boredom

New for this season, the drills available through the Hockey Canada Network have been enhanced – in addition to a diagram and written explanation, each drill includes a video showing how it works, and a clip showing exactly how the drill can be beneficial in a game situation.

The Network app allows coaches to filter through hundreds of drills, select which ones they want for practice, and share the drills with their team. Players and other coaches can now step on the ice already knowing what the drills look like, meaning that less time is spent explaining, and more time can be spent practicing.

At the start of every month, Drills of the Month will be posted on the Hockey Canada Network for coaches of every level. The drills will be shared through teams within the Network; follow the instructions below to join a team.

If you already have a Hockey Canada Network account, select the link that corresponds to your program level to join and receive the Drills of the Month. You can join as many teams as you would like.

Initiation Coaches
Novice Coaches
Atom & Peewee Coaches
Bantam & Midget Coaches
Goaltending Skills
Parent Information

If you are new to the Hockey Canada Network, follow these instructions to set up your free account. The Hockey Canada Network is available to Android and iOS users. Any smartphone, Android tablet or iPad user will be able to download the Network and become familiar with the digital resources available to coaches.

The free version of the Network app will allow users to receive 'shared information' from coaches or MHA administrators. Anyone with the full account can push any of the content to someone with an account.

For more information, check out www.hockeycanadanetwork.com.