How to Design a Hockey Practice Plan for Skill Development

Hockey is a fast-paced, skill-intensive sport that requires players to be proficient in various aspects, including skating, stickhandling, shooting, passing, and defense. A well-structured practice plan is essential for skill development, as it helps players improve these fundamental skills and prepares them for game situations. In this article, we will explore how to design an effective hockey practice plan that focuses on skill development for players of different levels.

Assess the Team's Needs and Skill Level

Before designing a practice plan, it is crucial to assess the skill level of the players on the team. Understanding the strengths and weaknesses of each player allows you to tailor the practice sessions to their specific needs. A youth team might need more focus on basic skills such as skating and passing, while a competitive team may require more advanced drills that focus on game scenarios and decision-making.

Key Factors to Consider:

• Player Age and Experience: Younger players or beginners will need to focus on fundamental skills such as skating, basic stickhandling, and simple passing and shooting drills. Advanced players may focus more on complex game strategies, positional play, and quick decision-making.
• Team Goals: Are you working on individual skill development or preparing for specific game situations, such as power plays or penalty kills? Determine the focus of the practice based on the team's current needs and upcoming competition.
• Areas of Improvement: Is there a specific area where the team struggles, such as defensive positioning or breakouts? Identifying these weaknesses will help shape the focus of your drills.

Structure the Practice Plan

A well-structured practice plan ensures that players remain engaged and that the practice session flows efficiently. Each practice should include several components: a warm-up, skill development drills, situational drills, scrimmage, and a cool-down. Below is an example of how to structure a 60-minute practice session.

Example Structure:

1. Warm-Up (10 minutes):

   • Start with a light skating session to get the players moving and increase their heart rate. Focus on skating fundamentals, such as forward and backward strides, crossovers, and tight turns.
   • Include dynamic stretches to improve flexibility and reduce the risk of injury.

2. Skill Development Drills (25 minutes):

   • Skating Skills: Work on different skating techniques, such as forward and backward skating, crossovers, pivots, and stopping.
   • Puck Handling: Incorporate drills that involve stickhandling around cones or other obstacles to improve puck control in tight spaces.
   • Passing and Receiving: Work on passing accuracy, receiving passes in motion, and timing. Vary the difficulty of the passing drills by changing the speed or adding pressure.
   • Shooting: Focus on different types of shots, such as wrist shots, snap shots, and slap shots. Work on accuracy and quick release.

3. Situational Drills (15 minutes):

   • Game-like Scenarios: Incorporate drills that mimic real-game situations, such as breakouts, forechecking, or defensive zone coverage. These drills should focus on decision-making under pressure.
   • Power Play and Penalty Kill: Work on specific systems for both power plays and penalty kills. This helps players understand their roles in these situations and improves their tactical awareness.

4. Scrimmage (5-10 minutes):

   • Allow players to apply the skills they've learned in a game-like environment. A short scrimmage encourages players to make quick decisions and adjust to dynamic situations.
   • Use this time to observe how players are executing the skills learned during practice and provide on-the-spot feedback.

5. Cool-Down (5 minutes):

   • End the session with a light skating session and static stretching. This helps players recover and reduce muscle tightness after practice.

Focus on Key Skills for Development

Skill development is at the core of every hockey practice. It is essential to break down each skill into individual components and work on them in various scenarios. Here are the key skills every hockey player should focus on during practice:

1. Skating

Skating is the foundation of hockey, and players must be proficient in both forward and backward skating. Speed and agility are crucial for all positions on the ice. Skating drills should focus on:

• Strides: Encourage long, powerful strides that increase speed and efficiency.
• Edge Work: Teach players to use the edges of their skates for better turning and acceleration.
• Quick Starts and Stops: Work on explosive starts and quick stops to improve agility and responsiveness.

2. Stickhandling

Puck control is essential in hockey, and players must be able to handle the puck under pressure while maintaining their speed. Stickhandling drills should focus on:

• Puck Protection: Teach players how to shield the puck from defenders while maintaining possession.
• Stickhandling in Tight Spaces: Use cones or other obstacles to simulate tight areas where players must handle the puck with precision.
• One-Handed Stickhandling: Encourage players to practice using one hand on the stick for more effective puck control.

3. Passing

Passing is a crucial skill for both offense and defense. Accurate passing allows players to move the puck quickly and maintain possession. Passing drills should focus on:

• Passing Accuracy: Teach players how to pass the puck with precision, both on the forehand and backhand.
• Passing Under Pressure: Simulate game situations where players must make quick passes under pressure from defenders.
• Receiving Passes: Work on the ability to receive passes cleanly, including receiving pucks while skating and in motion.

4. Shooting

Shooting is essential for scoring goals, and players need to develop different types of shots for various situations. Shooting drills should focus on:

• Wrist Shots and Snap Shots: Teach players how to shoot with accuracy and a quick release.
• Slap Shots: While not always used in game situations, slap shots are important for power plays and long-range shots.
• Shooting Off the Pass: Practice shooting the puck immediately after receiving a pass to improve reaction time and accuracy.

5. Defensive Skills

Defense is equally important as offense in hockey, and players must be able to read the game, break up passes, and defend against attacks. Defensive drills should focus on:

• Positioning: Teach players how to position themselves in the defensive zone to block passing lanes and protect the net.
• Body Checking: Work on the proper technique for body checking (if applicable) and defensive positioning against opposing players.
• Puck Retrieval: Teach players how to retrieve pucks in the corner or along the boards while under pressure.

6. Hockey Sense and Decision-Making

One of the most important aspects of a hockey player's development is hockey sense -- the ability to read the game and make quick, effective decisions. Drills that focus on improving hockey sense include:

• Small-Sided Games: Use drills that force players to make decisions quickly in tight spaces, improving their ability to read plays.
• Situational Awareness: Simulate game situations, such as odd-man rushes or defensive zone coverage, where players must make split-second decisions.

Incorporate Progressions into Drills

Progression is an important element in skill development. Drills should start at a basic level and increase in complexity as players improve. By incorporating progressions, players can build on what they've already learned and continue to challenge themselves.

Example Progressions:

• Skating: Start with simple forward skating, then move to backward skating, and finally incorporate crossovers and agility drills.
• Passing: Begin with stationary passing, then progress to passing while skating, and later add defenders to increase difficulty.
• Shooting: Start with shooting without pressure, then add a defender or goalie to simulate a game situation.

Create a Positive and Engaging Environment

Finally, it is essential to foster a positive and engaging environment during practice. Encourage players to push themselves while maintaining a fun and supportive atmosphere. Offering praise for effort and improvement helps to motivate players and creates a culture of continuous learning.

• Give Constructive Feedback: Provide feedback that focuses on specific actions, not just results. For example, instead of saying, "Good job," say, "Great job keeping your head up while passing."
• Set Goals: Help players set personal goals for each practice, such as improving their shooting accuracy or skating speed. This gives players something to strive for and encourages a growth mindset.
• Keep It Fun: While skill development is the priority, ensure that the practice sessions remain enjoyable and engaging. Use games, challenges, and friendly competition to keep players motivated.

Conclusion

Designing a hockey practice plan for skill development requires careful consideration of the team's needs, the skills to be developed, and the progression of drills. By structuring your practices to focus on key skills like skating, stickhandling, passing, shooting, and decision-making, you can help players improve their abilities and build a solid foundation for success. Remember, a well-rounded practice plan that incorporates fun, competition, and progressive skill-building will keep players motivated and engaged, leading to long-term development both on and off the ice.

View Product