Hockey drill

Wheel Breakout

The wheel breakout for a defenseman: gathering information, a transition pivot, using the net as protection, then the pass. For U11/U12 through U17+.

Category: Defense drills
Levels: U11/U12 · U13 · U15 · U17+

defense
half-ice
breakout
defensive zone

How it runs

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

Coach center ice with pucks. D1 sets up at the faceoff dot. On the whistle, D1 quick starts and explodes to the blue line. D1 pivots forwards to backwards. D1 backward skates as EN dumps a puck deep.

D1 shoulder checks, pivots to transition, and retrieves the puck. D1 heads behind the net. D1 wheels the net, staying tight for protection.

After rounding the net, D1 explodes up the middle lane for passing options. D1 passes to EN. D1 quick starts back to the blue line.

Coach dumps a puck into the opposite corner. Repeat the drill.

Coach Steve's take

The wheel is a safe breakout when the defenseman uses the net to protect himself, and a risky one when he drifts away from it. The message: stay tight to the net. Stress gathering information before picking up the puck: where is the pressure? Speed comes after. Do it on both sides, so he is as comfortable on his backhand as on his strong side.