Hockey drill

1 V 1 Puck battle to 1 V 1 with Gap control

A puck battle in the circle won with body position, then a 1-on-1 with gap control at the other end of the ice. For U11/U12, U13, U15 and U17+.

Category: Skills and tactics
Levels: U11/U12 · U13 · U15 · U17+

Hockey drill diagram: 1 V 1 Puck battle to 1 V 1 with Gap control

Drill contributed by Pascal Danis · AHMLG

1on1
angling
competition
gap control
puck protection

How it runs

This is what your players need to understand before the puck moves.

-Group of players in opposite corners.

-1 player on top of circle and 1 bottom of circle on their knees facing away from each other with a puck on the faceoff dot.

-On first whistle, players get up and battle for puck possession. Must stay in circle. Players use body to protect puck.

-On second whistle, player with puck possession speeds down to other end for a 1 V 1.

-Player without puck possiession will become defensive player and defend from opposing puck carrier. Defender will try to control gap and angle puck carrier towards the boards.

Coach Steve's take

I like this drill because it rewards effort. The player who wins the battle attacks, and the other one has to defend right away, with no time to complain. It is a good moment to talk about how we react after losing the puck: the player who gives up loses twice. Stress getting the body between the opponent and the puck. And watch the defender: the one who rushes to close the gap often gets beat.