Introduction: Defensemen Game Situation Drills
Isaropen – Defensemen Game Situation Drills. Rob Sedia of the New Edge Hockey Development Academy and IHS recently filmed a set of drills just for defenders. The main goal of these drills is to make defenders more skilled by simulating moves and situations that they will face in real games. Getting better at handling the puck, getting it back, and constantly scanning the ice are all important things that you will learn throughout the game.
What we love about these drills:
- They work on small skills that aren’t always covered in full team training.
- They help the defender look over the ice and work on shoulder checks and body positioning.
- They help you feel more confident when moving and handling the puck.
- All of them are easy to set up and can be done on ½ sheet of ice or less.
- Most of them have more than one development.
Rob spoke on the importance of working with defensemen separately thought the season:
“Working alone with your D core will pay off in a big way during the game.” Individual and tactical defense-specific training are important parts of developing defenders at all levels. I find it strange that NHL teams work separately with their defenders on position-specific skating, individual skills, tactical skills, and partner work, but many youth and minor teams spend almost the whole practice time talking about full teams and special teams.
This set was made to help your defensemen get a lot of useful repetitions in each drill. The repetitions are useful because they mimic game settings and common moves and plays for defensemen. So, they can focus on the details and be better ready for when these things happen in a game. Defensemen need to be great at spotting things on the ice.
You can watch the drill videos below, but we strongly suggest that you go to the pages for each drill to read the full description and get Rob’s coaching tips. Please remember that the full series is best for U12 and up players.
Drill 1 – NEHDA 2 Puck
NEHDA 2 Puck Description: This easy setup has two levels, and it lets your defenders work on passing, edgework, talking to each other, lying, and keeping their toe caps facing up ice. Look at the full drill info.
Drill 2 – NEHDA 3 Puck
NEHDA 3 Puck Description: There are three levels to this drill, and the main goals are to improve your passing, footwork, puck control along the blue line, and staying close to your partner. Look at the full drill info.
Drill 3 – Blue Line Shuffles
Blue Line Shuffles Description: This drill is great, and it has three levels that should help your defender feel more comfortable moving laterally along the blue line. Look at the full drill info.
Drill 4 – NEHDA Continuous Retrieval Outlet
NEHDA Continuous Retrieval Outlet Description: One skill that isn’t given enough credit is shoulder checking to look at the ice and get the puck. This drill works on both, and it also has a quick shot and an outlet pass. Look at the full drill info.
Drill 5 – Off The Wall Neutral Zone Exchange
Off The Wall Neutral Zone Exchange Description: This is a great drill for learning how to talk to each other, pass to regroup or shift, and pass from defensive end to defensive end. In the second level, there are more tricks and escapes. Look at the full drill info.
Drill 6 – Quick Start Continuous Outlet
Quick Start Continuous Outlet: This drill helps defenders get the puck back, communicate with each other during breakout passes, and protect the puck. There are 3 progressions, and each one adds something different to the setting. The most important thing to remember as a coach is to get your players off to a quick start so they can see as much of the ice as possible. Look at the full drill info.
Drill 7 – Full Back Puck Possession
Full Back Puck Possession: The goal of this puck defense drill is to get better at blocking an opponent’s attack path with the net. Some of the other important things that are worked on in this fun drill are footwork and awareness. Look at the full drill info.
Drill 8 – Honey Hole
Honey Hole Description: It’s a drill that helps you shoot around defenders from the point and jump into open space (The Honey Hole!) on purpose to get a scoring chance. Look at the full drill info.
Drill 9 – Mid Pair Wall Retrievals
Mid Pair Wall Retrievals Description: It’s easy to set up and has two progressions that give your defenders a lot of practice with shoulder checks (scanning the ice) and sneaky puck retrievals. Look at the full drill info.
Drill 10 – NEHDA Defenseman Carousel
NEHDA Defenseman Carousel Description: This drill covers a lot of ground, but its major goals are quick passing, timing, and being aware of your surroundings. You can add some light pressure to the drill to make people make decisions. Look at the full drill info.
Conclusion: Defensemen Game Situation Drills
In conclusion, Rob Sedia’s set of drills focuses on enhancing key defensive skills for hockey players. These drills are designed to improve puck handling, scanning the ice, and defensive positioning, which are crucial during real-game situations. Moreover, they allow defenders to practice specific skills not always covered in team practices. The drills are easy to set up, require minimal ice space, and offer multiple levels of progression. Rob emphasizes the importance of separate training for defensemen, which helps them develop the tactical and individual skills needed for success. Ultimately, these drills provide valuable repetitions that prepare defenders for various game scenarios.