The drills in this practice plan are designed to give coaches some ideas on getting their players ready

for player
selection / tryouts by incorporating a multitude of skills required to play the game. There are 4 practice plans in this
series that include key teaching points as well as key evaluation points to provide insight on the details within the drills.

The plan is based on 50 minutes so depending on the length of the ice time, the suggested time to run each drill can be
adapted to fit the ice time. Where longer ice times are provided coaches can add drills / games of their own.
 Canadian Player Pathways
U13 Preparation Plan #1

Preparation Plan #1 – 50 Minutes

Drill Name & Description
12 mins – Skating / Puck Control Agility Combinations
-Form two lines at hash marks in one end, players perform skills
down the middle of the ice and back along the boards.

-Players go one after another

-Forwards and Defence do the same skills

-Goalie Coach works with goalies at far end

Forward Skating skills to be done: NO PUCK / ADD PUCK

1. Heel skate
2. Heel skate / stride combination
3. Heel skate / 1 crossover combination
4. Stride / 1 crossover combination
5. Continuous Crossovers

Key Teaching Points Key Evaluation Points

Skating Puck Control Skating Puck Control
-Encourage creativity / deceptive skating -Focus on the blending skills with a puck -Eyes up, scan the ice -Eyes up, scan the ice
-Change direction / Lateral Movements -Progress to crossovers -Look for equal ability with both feet -Range of motion to forehand and
-Quick feet -Progress to Mohawks -Look for agility, quickness, speed backhand
-Head up -Deceptive skating moves with puck change -Separation of upper and lower body
-Technique is important in the warm-up to -Don’t rush through the blended skills -Puck Placement -Agility, creativity, deception
give the players lots of repetition on -Puck Management – puck not
technical aspects of skating exposed

Drill Name & Description

8 mins – Skating Warm Up – Backward Skating
-Players line up in two lines on the hashmarks.
-Both lines can go at the same time, or each line can alternate,
skating down the middle to the pylon and then back along the
boards.

-Players go one after another

-Forwards and Defence do the same skills
-Goalie Coach works with Goalies at far end

Backward Skating skills to be done:

Pattern 1
1. Backwards, alternating c-cut holds
2. Backwards, one crossover reach
3. First player bwds, Second Player fwds – mirror / contain
Pattern 2
4. Backwards, Scull to wall at blue line
5. Backwards, open hips, pivot to wall at blue line

Key Teaching Points Key Evaluation Points

-Good knee bend – stay low -One hand on stick, out in front
-Strong push and recover -Eyes up, scan the ice
-Efficiency (feet under control) over speed -Minimize unnecessary crossovers
-Technique is important in the warm-up to give the players lots of repetition -Efficient feet, quiet upper body
on technical aspects of skating

Canadian Player Pathways – U13 Preparation Sessions Page 2

 Canadian Player Pathways
U13 Preparation Plan #1

Drill Name & Description

10 mins – Skill Splits
1) Forwards – Small Area Puck Control (Use both ends zones)
- Place two ‘danglers’ in corner at one end and parallel to boards at the other
end
- One side attacks goal line (down) / Other side attacks seam (up)
- On the whistle, players leave the corner with a puck skating around the
danglers in a figure 8 pattern working on different skills.
- Manage puck, use vision, stick / feet fakes to perform cutbacks, jams etc..

Puck Control Skills to be done:

1. Random Moves
2. Start play with rim
3. Random Moves - Add Chaser
4. Random Moves - No Pylons – Add Chaser

2) Defence – Transition Pivots (Use Neutral Zone)

Transition Skills to be done: 2 or 3 reps without puck, then add puck

1. Toes first
2. Heels first
3. Ride inside edge
4. Repeat each sequence above with give and go pass from coach
Key Teaching Points Key Evaluation Points
Forwards Defence Forwards Defence
- Try to keep your head up as much as -Players need to have a good knee -Skating edgework (Fakes / Jams) -Turn heels and hips, 1 x-over out,
possible. bend for balance -Creativity, puck placement then start striding
- Speed is not important, do the drill correctly -Keep eyes up, chest up, shoulders back -Scan ice, eyes up, see the next -Head up and shoulders square
and work on technique before increasing -Limit the crossing of the feet as much play -Toes around apex before turning to
speed. as possible coming out of transition -Attack for quick move or shot go bwds
-Heels first then, toes first, ride edge at -Watch for equal ability to each side
bottom of pivot -Open hip, ride inside edge to fwds –
no x-over

Drill Name & Description

10 mins – Skill Splits
1) Forwards – 4 Pylon Agility
-Place 4 pylons on the circle (use both end zones to maximize player activity)
1. Player starts by going around the pylons in a random fashion.
2. Two players one puck – give and go passing
3. One puck carrier, one chaser trying to steal puck
4. Progress to no pylons / keep away

-Alternate sides - finish with shot on net (can use two nets on goal line if
more than 2 goalies in the group and do drill from both sides)

2) Defence – 5 Puck Agility - (Use Neutral Zone)

-Place 5 pucks in NZ as shown.
-Player must skate around each of the outside pucks, and always come back
to the middle before skating around one of the outside pucks again, toes
always pointing forward during transitions
1. No Puck
2. Add Puck
3. Add pass to coach in front
4. Remove pucks used as markers - Progress to pressure from coach
Key Teaching Points Key Evaluation Points
Forwards Defence Forwards Defence
-Keep the feet moving -Quick feet, stay low for balance -Deception, fakes -Turn heels and hips, 1 crossover out
-Creativity / Change of direction -Efficient movements ie try to do only 1 -Eyes up -Head and shoulders up ice - square
-Quick hands and feet crossover to get back to middle -Make turns with both edges -Toes around apex before turning to
-Scan the ice front and behind -Scan the ice front and behind -Accelerate out with puck go bwds
protection -Look for equal ability both ways
-Open hip, ride inside edge to fwd-no
x-over
-Keep bottom hand on stick, load puck

Canadian Player Pathways – U13 Preparation Sessions Page 3

 Canadian Player Pathways
U13 Preparation Plan #1

Drill Name & Description

10 mins – Skill Splits
1) Forwards – Entries – Overspeed Moves
-Players start along the boards inside the blue line.
-Skate out from the boards into NZ and then perform a few quick crossovers to
turn back. Can also pass puck off boards to self prior to entering zone
-Turn head, scan before turning toward offensive zone
Forward Entry sequences involved:
1. Heel skating across blueline - navigate
2. Net drive – forehand / backhand
3. Progress to 2 on 1 against coach

2) Defence – Shooting Sequence

-Place 2 or 3 piles of pucks inside blue line (Shoot 3 - 5 pucks for each skill)
1. Stationary quick release pulls (drag)
2. Stationary quick release pushes
3. Pull to inside, push back to outside for shot
4. Push to outside, stop bhd drag back to inside shot
Key Teaching Points Key Evaluation Points
Forwards Defence Forwards Defence
-Use crossovers to turn quickly -Eyes, up, look at target -Accelerate out of turn in NZ -Ability to move laterally - Push or Pull
-Pick up the puck in stride to quickly enter -No Dust, Quick release -Eyes up, loading puck -Ability to shoot with eyes / head up
the offensive zone – Eyes up -Spatial awareness, (gap on coach) -Ability to find open lane
-Sell the fake on the obstacle or coach with -Evasiveness and separation to -Look for overhandling the puck.
the head and shoulders create shot lane -Clean / efficient handling of puck

Canadian Player Pathways – U13 Preparation Sessions Page 4

 The drills in this practice plan are designed to give coaches some ideas on getting their players ready for player
selection / tryouts by incorporating a multitude of skills required to play the game. There are 4 practice plans in this
series that include key teaching points as well as key evaluation points to provide insight on the details within the drills.

The plan is based on 50 minutes so depending on the length of the ice time, the suggested time to run each drill can be
adapted to fit the ice time. Where longer ice times are provided coaches can add drills / games of their own.
 Canadian Player Pathways
U13 Preparation Plan #2

Preparation Plan #2 – 50 minutes

Drill Name & Description
8 mins - Skating Warm Up – Speed Progression
-Player’s lineup at one end of the ice and perform various skills
down the center of the ice.
-Perform progressions to maximize speed and power.
-Players go one after another
-Forwards and Defence do the same skills
-Goalie Coach works with Goalies at far end

Speed skills to be done:

Pattern 1 – Skate down middle of ice and return along boards
1. Crossunders left foot / Crossunders right foot
2. Alternating crossunders
3. Ride inside edge each direction
4. Inside Foot Drops
5. One crossover each way – quick feet
6. Two crossovers each way – quick feet
Pattern 2 – Skate along dot line outside and return down the middle
7. Crossovers to inside fake / outside acceleration

Key Teaching Points Key Evaluation Points

-Technique is important for the first 4 skills in this progression. Perform -Eyes up, scan the ice
repetitions of each skill before opening it up to full speed freestyle skating. -Stay low, keep legs loaded
-Look for equal ability with both legs
-Quickness, acceleration both ways
-Deceptive skating (change of direction and speed)

Drill Name & Description

8 mins - Skating Warm Up – Retrievals - Backward
Skating / Pivots
-Players line up in two lines in middle of ice at hashmarks, place
both nets on goal line at far end

Sequences to be performed:
1. Half wall retrievals, push to the inside to get off wall skating
straight down. Both lines can go at the same time, or each
line can alternate, skating down to the far end and then
back up middle of ice
2. Add continuous pressure and fakes
3. Move defense to the boards at blue line, Forwards form one
line and have option to go to either side for puck retrieval,
add continuous pressure
4. Live 1 vs 1 down to far end for shot attempt

Skills to be performed:
Pre-scan on retrieval
Fakes to shake the pressure
Push to the inside to get off wall, skating S pattern through NZ

Key Teaching Points Key Evaluation Points

-Quickness and acceleration are goals of this drill Forwards Defence
-Forwards get off wall -Encourage crossovers for -One hand on stick, out in front
-Defence – good gap, angle, steer with stick forwards -Minimal crossovers for
-Scan up ice before picking up defence
loose puck -Protect middle, open up or 1
-Generate speed, getting off crossover to outside to angle
the wall with crossovers forward – stick on puck
-Fake, hard cut outside to get -Look for loading of proper leg
by defence

Canadian Player Pathways – U13 Preparation Sessions Page 2

 Canadian Player Pathways
U13 Preparation Plan #2

Drill Name & Description

8 mins – 3 Line Deception
-Put players in 2 or 3 lines in each end zone. (Goalies / goalie coach can use
NZ zone for skating skills)
-Players will start near hashmarks and skate to blueline to perform move and
then skate back to the back of the line
-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
-Forwards and Defence perform same skills

Deception skills involved:

1. Head fakes
2. Stick Fakes
3. Feet fakes - Ride an Edge - Half Turns - Stop and Go’s
4. Add chaser and read and react appropriately to the applied pressure
of the situation
-Shoulder check / scan needs to be done with all 4 progressions
Key Teaching Points Key Evaluation Points
-Shoulder checking -Efficient execution
-Movements should be under control -Strong hockey position
-Set up pay off mentality – sell bad information -Look for deception - Sell fake, manipulate
-Puck placements, carry vs retrieval -Reading the pressure
-Speed changes (slow and quick movements)

Drill Name & Description

8 mins - Skills Splits
1) Forwards – Puck Protection – (Vision Sequence)
Progression A
- Find a dot and a partner
- Position yourself two stick lengths away for each other
- One player turns and protect puck from partner
- Non protecting player shows a number on their hand and moves in a
circular motion around puck protector.
- Protecting player must keep back side to partner and shoulder check
for changing numbers on hand held up in the air by partner
- Protector calls out number as partner moves around
Progression B
- Add new player to the group (3)
- Execute same puck protection sequence as above on and off
coach’s whistle
- New player to the group adds stress to situation and hinders the
protector’s use of vison and ease of puck protecting
Progression C
- Still in your group of 3 we remove the number calling and make the
player a passing outlet, see the pass before you make it against very
passive pressure

2) Defence – Escape Triangle

-Place 3 pylons in a triangle – set up on each side of the ice
-Transition at top pylon (heels first / toes first) turn away from each of the
bottom pylons
-Teach skating first, then add a puck
Skill Progressions at the bottom of the triangle
1. Ride inside edge – toes up ice
2. Escape turns
3. Half escape turns
4. Random escapes add touch passes with coach
Key Teaching Points Key Evaluation Points
Forwards Defence Forwards Defence
-Head is up -Turn away from the pylons, stick on -Balance, posture, strength -Turn upper body and head
-Good knee bend for protection and balance the ice, turn your head and shoulders -Puck placement relative to pressure -Eyes Up
-Always maintain positioning (puck, body, first -Bracing and pressing against -Heels first / Toes first
opposition) -Don’t cross hands on forehand spin pressure -Spin out with control and speed on
-See the pass before you make it -Adjusting and reacting to pressure forehand and backhand

Canadian Player Pathways – U13 Preparation Sessions Page 3

 Canadian Player Pathways
U13 Preparation Plan #2
Drill Name & Description
8 mins - Skill Splits
1) Forwards – Puck Protection Progression
-Players start on goal line. Set up Pylon - Player - Pylon
-Weave up and back attacking stationary player in the middle – finish with
shot on net
-Alternate sides so goaltender has time to get set for next shot

Progressions:
1. Attack triangle
2. Open up to backhand to protect – cut hands
3. Disrupt stick (stick lift / stick swipe)
4. Add chaser
5. Player in middle turns and gaps up on puck carrier to play 1 on 1
6. Chaser and regroup 1 on 1 (Front and Back pressure)

2) Defence – D to D Passing with Blue line shot

-4 Defence inside zone
-2 low D are breaking out of zone, 2 high D are passing for shot on net
-Coach dumps or passes puck to low D, they go D to D then pass up to hi D
-Hi D pass D to D across blue line for shot on net

1. D-D front of net, low to high shot

2. D-D back of net, low to high shot
3. D-D reverse, low to high shot

Key Teaching Points Key Evaluation Points

Forwards Defence Forwards Defence
-Attack defender w speed -Defensive players need to shoulder -Balance, posture, surround puck -Shoulder check, cut the net
-Head always on a swivel scanning front check, decide what they will do then -Body position remains between -Accelerate, get to middle of ice
and behind approach the loose puck at an angle to defender and puck -Provide target, move feet, eyes up
-Cut hands after moves deceive F1 -Read pressure -Push or pull puck, find a lane
-Turning the toes, leaning and “selling” a -Ride energy of defender, lean into
deceptive move will create time and defender
space for the breakout -Control puck zone
-It is important to give the fore-checker
time to react to your move

Drill Name & Description

8 mins - Skill Splits
1) Forwards – Small Area Game – Loose Puck Races (SAG)
A.
-Two players stand on hash marks to simulate faceoff
-When the coach drops the puck both players race to gain
possession.
-The drill immediately turns into a 1 on 1 with the puck carrier trying
to score
B.
Coach drops puck on face off dot for race to wall, then play out the 1
on 1 with winner of puck race trying to score.

2) Defence – 1 on 1 – Stick on Puck (SAG)

-Two players will start inside the end zone
-One will have the puck while the other is the defender.
-Player with puck will protect puck, and try to take it to net to score
-Defensive player will work to dislodge puck by having stick on puck.
-Use a series of poke checks.
-Move starting point around zone to simulate varying game
situations
Key Teaching Points Key Evaluation Points
Forwards Defence Forwards Defence
-Explosive starts -Body position -Mentality to be first -1 hand on stick, stick on ice,
-Gain position before possession -Puck protection -Position before possession free hand ready to push
-Protect puck on offence -Stick on puck -Acceleration, explosiveness -Poke and recover, stay
-D Side positioning on defence -Physicality, puck protection balanced
-Stay on defensive side of puck

Canadian Player Pathways – U13 Preparation Sessions Page 4

 Canadian Player Pathways
U13 Preparation Plan #2

Drill Name & Description

8 mins – SAG - Angling

1) 1 Up / 1 Down

-Gap and angling drill – Can split into 4 groups using each corner of
ice. Alternate sides
-Coach starts play with “Go”
-Defensive player must touch goal line
-Forward must touch blue line.
-Defensive player tries to clear puck or skate it past ringette line if
they steal it.
-Forward tries to score – 1 shot / 1 rebound allowed
Key Teaching Points Key Evaluation Points
-Offensive players attack the net and Forwards Defence
defensive players compete to strip the -Look before turning to attack -Turn head, before turning up ice
puck. -Evasiveness, creativity -Gap up
-Attack vulnerability -Use stick to steer then stick on
-Protect puck, get it to net puck

Canadian Player Pathways – U13 Preparation Sessions Page 5

 The drills in this practice plan are designed to give coaches some ideas on getting their players ready for player
selection / tryouts by incorporating a multitude of skills required to play the game. There are 4 practice plans in this
series that include key teaching points as well as key evaluation points to provide insight on the details within the drills.

The plan is based on 50 minutes so depending on the length of the ice time, the suggested time to run each drill can be
adapted to fit the ice time. Where longer ice times are provided coaches can add drills / games of their own.
 Canadian Player Pathways
U13 Preparation Plan #3

Preparation Plan #3 – 50 Mins

Drill Name & Description
8 mins - Passing Warm Up
1) Forwards – Rabbit / Coyote
-Players grab a partner and spread out across half of the ice.
-One puck between two players.
Progressions:
1. Forehand pass – on 1st whistle pass, 2nd whistle play keep away 1
on 1. Player with puck on whistle protects it
2. Backhand pass - on 1st whistle pass, 2nd whistle play keep away 1
on 1. Player with puck on whistle protects it
3. 1 touch forehand pass - on 1st whistle pass, 2nd whistle play keep
away 1 on 1. Player with puck on whistle protects it
-2 – 3 reps on each sequence

2) Defence – Skating / Passing Warm Up

(Head up, Move Feet, Keep Puck Loaded)
-Defenseman will pass with a partner.
-Players can go anywhere but the key is when you receive a pass you need
to get your head up to see the ice, move your feet and get it loaded which
means be ready to pass the puck preferably on your forehand.
-Coaches whistle will control the pace.
Progressions:
1. Forehand Pass
2. Backhand Pass
3. Receive pass – Escape to backhand
4. Receive pass – Escape to backhand – slide stop
-2 - 3 reps on each sequence
Key Teaching Points Key Evaluation Points
Forwards Defence Forwards Defence
-Passes on the tape. -Head up to see ice as soon as you -Passing control – active wrists -Lateral skating
-Focus on clean reception. receive the puck. -Flat accurate pass -Don’t overhandle puck, get on
-Protect puck on 1 on 1. -Move your feet. -Puck protect off a pass forehand
-Defensive player stick on puck. -Get it loaded. Get the puck in a “triple -Ability to adjust to pass -Head up, move feet
threat” position where you can pass, -Hard, flat pass
shoot or carry.
-Quick feet and good puck control.

Drill Name & Description

8 mins - Shooting Warm Up
-Forwards in opposite ends and opposite corners – Defence in the centre ice
circle - Both ends go at same time
-Pucks on the boards at the hash marks on the opposite side of where
forwards start
-On whistle, 2 – 3 forwards leave the corner with the puck and skate into
neutral zone, around centre ice circle – Keep feet moving the entire time.
First shot comes from right side, 2nd shot from middle, 3rd shot from left
side.
-Once forwards skate past the defence, defence skate backwards around the
circle and enter the zone, stopping just inside the blue line.
-Coach passes to near D who then goes D to D with pass for first shot, coach
then passes to far D who passes D to D for second shot. (Depending on
number can only send 1 D and that D would get two passes for shots on net)
-Forwards stop at net after shot and look for tips or rebounds – do not screen
goalie as this is a warm up drill
Progression:
1. After forwards shoot and stop at net, F1 races out to pressure D1
shot then release. F2 races out to pressure D2 shot
Key Teaching Points Key Evaluation Points
-Feet always moving, no gliding in NZ Forwards Defence
-Shoot in stride, stop at net after shot -Maintain speed in NZ -Lateral Movement
-D call for pass from coach, present target -Head up, change the shot angle -Present target
-D heads up shooting -Follow shot to net -Eyes up, push or pull puck, find a
-Look for tip, rebound on point shot lane

Canadian Player Pathways – U13 Preparation Sessions Page 2

 Canadian Player Pathways
U13 Preparation Plan #3

Drill Name & Description

8 mins - Skills Splits
1) Forwards – Entries
-Players line up at centre ice in two lines (Left line – Offence / Right
line – Defence)
-Offensive player spots puck to boards
-Players race to wall, offensive player to get lane (position B4
possession) enters the offensive zone, fakes the obstacle (can also
use coach for player to make read) and finishes with a shot on net.
-Chaser turns at blue line and releases, becomes the next offensive
player
-Progression – After shot – shooter can skate to other side to
provide pressure on opposite side

2) Defence – Puck on Forehand Pivots

-Players line up outside blueline, carry puck through pylons
-Players always face the middle pylon (open up)
-Keep puck on forehand
-Escape at bottom pylon (progress to escape / half turn), skate back
through pylons to blue line for shot on net
-Good shooting principles at blue line – fakes / deception / eyes up
Key Teaching Points Key Evaluation Points
Forwards Defence Forwards Defence
- Spot puck, get in lane of defensive -Keep the puck on forehand -Position before possession -Open up to middle both ways
player -Keep speed in both backward- -Angle, stick position on puck -Pivot from fwd to bwd, bwd to
- Take away stick to get possession forward and forward-backward steal fwd
of puck pivots -Escape, quick transition -Keep puck on forehand
- Protect puck on entry -Try to keep crossing feet to a -Fakes, deception upon entry -Limit crossing of feet
- Eyes up to make move on minimum to get shot on net -Get puck to middle of ice
obstacle or coach

Drill Name & Description

8 mins - Skill Splits
1) Forwards – 1 on 1 – Loose Puck Race x 2
-Set up 2 pylons inside the blue line.
-Players start in the corner and race to the pylons, performing a
quick turn around the pylon.
-Coach spots a puck and the players battle for possession and a
shot on net.
-Coach spots a second puck for a second battle.
Progression
-Coach in corner passes to 2nd coach at blueline who spots puck
back down wall for players to retrieve

2) Defence – 4 Man Box Puck Support

-4 Defencemen start in a box formation with one puck.
-Puck is moved in one direction. After each pass, the defence must
follow pass and recover back to middle for either support or next
pass. Change directions.
-Progress to hinge passes
-Progress to random passes to any defenceman.
-Progress to a look away by looking at one defenceman and passing
to another.

Key Teaching Points Key Evaluation Points

Forwards Defence Forwards Defence
-Quick feet and turns around the -Always follow pass and transition -Acceleration, quickness -Present target on forehand
pylons. back to middle of ice. -Position before possession -No dust
-Battle for the puck and compete. -Always have stick in position to -Establish lane - puck protection -Head up, move your feet
-Use the body to protect the puck. receive the pass. -Angling, defensive side -Support underneath after pass
-Attack the net. -Reacting to play -Take ice in front upon
receiving pass

Canadian Player Pathways – U13 Preparation Sessions Page 3

 Canadian Player Pathways
U13 Preparation Plan #3

Drill Name & Description

8 mins - Skill Splits
1) Forwards – Corner Retrieval / Protect with Shot
-Players line up in two lines near top of circle facing the net
-Coach spots loose puck into the corner

A) F1 loose puck retrieval, quick fake then takes puck to net.

B) After shot, coach spots second loose puck in same corner,
F1 retrieves and passes to F2 in high slot
C) Add defensive player where F1 has to pass through the
defensive players’ triangle to F2
D) Defensive player pressures F1 from start, F1 has to find F2
in high slot
-After 2nd shot coach spots new puck in opposite corner

2) Defence – In and Out Shooting

-Place two pylons about 10 feet apart
-Coach passes through pylons, D pulls or pushes puck to outside of
pylon and then shoots
-Coach passes to outside of pylon, D pulls puck inside pylons for
shot
Key Teaching Points Key Evaluation Points
Forwards Defence Forwards Defence
-Quick on puck retrieval -Provide a target with stick -Quick to loose puck -Receive on forehand, get feet
-Shoulder check / Scan for forward -Receive pass, no stickhandle shoot -Scan moving
in high slot quickly -Quick pass -Head up
-Quick pass / quick release -Goal is to get puck on net, not how -Pass through triangle -Push or pull puck, find the
-F2 move around, find soft spot hard the shot is -Shooter quick release lane

Drill Name & Description

8 mins – Breakout – Regroup - 1 on 1 / 2 on 1
- Gap drill. Forward dumps puck and defenseman retrieves and
breaks out the forward.
- On dump – alternate rims and dumps on goalie to set puck for D
- Forward skates up ice and turns back for a 1-1.
- Defenseman must close gap and play the 1-1.
- Coaches encourage D to challenge in the neutral zone and “jump”
the forward.
- Progress to a 2 on 1

Key Teaching Points Key Evaluation Points

Forwards Defence Forwards Defence
-Call for pass and present a target -Quick to the puck. -Talk to D on breakout, -Shoulder check, pick puck up
-Shoulder check before receiving -Shoulder check; both shoulders if -Shoulder check, present on forehand
pass and heading up ice time. target -No dust
-Should check in NZ before turning -Pick puck up on a good skating -Accelerate off wall into NZ -Head up, hard, flat first pass
and attacking D 1 on 1 angle, get it on your forehand and -Shoulder check before turning -Get up ice quickly after pass
make a good pass. back to attack D to close gap
-Follow pass up ice to close gap on -Eliminate crossovers, good
forward stick

Canadian Player Pathways – U13 Preparation Sessions Page 4

 The drills in this practice plan are designed to give coaches some ideas on getting their players ready for player
selection / tryouts by incorporating a multitude of skills required to play the game. There are 4 practice plans in this
series that include key teaching points as well as key evaluation points to provide insight on the details within the drills.

The plan is based on 50 minutes so depending on the length of the ice time, the suggested time to run each drill can be
adapted to fit the ice time. Where longer ice times are provided coaches can add drills / games of their own.
 Canadian Player Pathways
U13 Preparation Plan #4

Preparation Plan #4 – 50 Mins

Drill Name & Description

8 mins - Mobility Warm-up

Go both ends at same time, Sequence is Pass Left, Pass Right, Skate

1) Forwards start on 4 corners of Blue lines

2) All the pucks are in the center circle.
3) D start inside blueline in center of ice
4) D picks up puck, backpeddles, Fwd from left side skates
down to tag blueline, opens up for pass from D.
5) D then skates to center circle to get another puck,
backpeddles to blue line and hits Fwd from the right side
with pass.
6) D skates forward to center circle, picks up third puck
backpeddles to blue line, then transitions to forward to
skate to far end for shot

Key Teaching Points Key Evaluation Points

-Forwards sprint to blueline, open up present target, call for pass Forwards
-D pass while skating forward. -Open up to receive pass, scan up ice
-Hard, flat pass -Present target, call for pass
-Forwards skate hard to net for shot – no dekes – stop at net after -Stop at net after shot
shot looking for tip or rebound Defence
-Drag puck skating backwards, transition to forward to
make pass
-Hard, accurate pass
-Eyes up when retrieving pucks, know where pass is
going to

Drill Name & Description

20 mins – Small Area Games
Small Area Games – 10 minutes each game then players swap
ends

1) 2 on 2 in Corner
-Place 2 nets in a corner
-Players can be divided into 2 groups
-Play 2 on 2
-Looking for skills in a tight space, compete level, hockey sense

2) 3 on 3 Cross Ice
-Place 2 nets on each side of the ice
-Players can be divided into 2 groups
-Play 3 on 3 cross ice
-Looking for skills in a tight space, compete level, hockey sense

Key Teaching Points Key Evaluation Points

-30 – 40 second shifts -Small space skating ability
-If puck leaves playing area, Coach passes new puck into play -Small space puck control and passing
-If goaltender freezes puck, opposing players back off, and allow -Read and react skills
goalie to get puck to teammates to begin play again -Compete level
-If goal is scored, goalie pulls puck out of net and gives to -Puck Support
teammates to resume play

Canadian Player Pathways – U13 Preparation Sessions Page 2

 Canadian Player Pathways
U13 Preparation Plan #4

Drill Name & Description

22 mins – 5 on 5 – Full Ice Scrimmage

1) 5 on 5 Full ice
-Divide into 2 groups
-Recommend forwards play all 3 forward positions
-Recommend defence play both left D and right D
-Looking for skills in a tight space, compete level, hockey sense

Key Teaching Points Key Evaluation Points

-Play 5 on 5 – 45 – 60 second shifts ( Coach can act as referee ) Forwards / Defence
-Penalties can be served or option for penalty shot given -Skating / puck handling / passing - receiving
-Play making ability
-Hockey sense
-Compete level
Goaltenders
-Angles / depth
-Ability to stop pucks
-Rebound control

Canadian Player Pathways – U13 Preparation Sessions Page 3