Hockey drill

Gate game

A 1-on-1 game to build defensive positioning: the defender guards the gates and stays D-side, between the attacker and the net. Built for U9 players.

Category: Small area games
Levels: U9

1on1
angling
getting open
half-ice
deception & fakes
small area games
station

How it runs

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

This drill focuses on strong D-side positioning.

On the coach’s signal: Black tries to get through one of the gates. Red defends and tries to stop them

Black can: Use fakes. Change direction. Attack either gate

Win condition: Black wins if they get through a gate without being tagged in the chest by red.

Progression: Black starts with a puck. Red tries to take the puck away, while maintaining strong defensive positioning to deny access to the gates.

Key details: Protect the inside and stay D-side. Use deception and timing. Keep your feet moving on both sides

Coach Steve's take

At this age, the goal isn’t to build perfect defenders. It is to teach them to keep their feet moving and protect the inside of the ice. The gate game does that through play. Let them laugh, try fakes and make mistakes. Switch roles often so everyone lives both sides. Once they handle the game without a puck, add the puck, but not before.