your coaching checklist

Below is an overview of the skills and tactical concepts you should be coaching players at this stage of their hockey journey.

If you need help with understanding these skills, there are several videos that can be found here!

Skill
Ball carrying

Small space control

Deception - Body/stick feints

Ball protection
DistributionReverse sweep pass
Reverse edge pass
Goal scoring
Forehand deflection in the air
Reverse deflection
Reverse stick sweep shot
7-yard scoring (tight skills, quick shots, flicks)
Reverse stick tomahawk
Winning the ballChannel/double team
Delay the play
Recovery defence
GoalkeepingAerial saves (glove/stick sides)
Diving & sliding saves
Defensive management
Tactical Concepts
Defensive concepts
Verbal/non-verbal communication
Zonal/numbers down defence
Marking ball side/help side
Front marking
Goal-side marking
Delaying/channelling attackers
Circle defence
Offensive concepts
Counter-attack/transitional play
3v2 attacking strategies

Your weekly planner

Basics: Build & Improve (4 weeks)Relevant Drills

Week 1

Small space control, Ball protection, Reverse edge pass, Reverse sweep pass

Reverse passing, Diamond loop, Reverse carry relay
Week 2

Small space control, Ball protection, Reverse edge pass, Reverse sweep pass

Reverse passing, Diamond loop, Reverse carry relay
Week 3

Small space control, Ball protection, Reverse edge pass, Reverse sweep pass

Reverse passing, Diamond loop, Reverse carry relay
Week 4

Small space control, Ball protection, Reverse edge pass, Reverse sweep pass


Reverse passing, Diamond loop, Reverse carry relay
Reinforce basics & introduce new skills (4 weeks)Relevant Drills

Week 5

Deception - Body/stick feints, Forehand deflection in the air, Reverse deflection, Reverse stick sweep shot, Channel/double team

Entry tackle boxes, Drag & go, Possession box
Week 6

Deception - Body/stick feints, Forehand deflection in the air, Reverse deflection, Reverse stick sweep shot, Channel/double team

Entry tackle boxes, Drag & go, Possession box
Week 7

Deception - Body/stick feints, Forehand deflection in the air, Reverse deflection, Reverse stick sweep shot, Channel/double team

Entry tackle boxes, Drag & go, Possession box
Week 8

Deception - Body/stick feints, Forehand deflection in the air, Reverse deflection, Reverse stick sweep shot, Channel/double team


Entry tackle boxes, Drag & go, Possession box
Reinforce new skills & add tactical concepts (3 weeks)Relevant Drills

Week 9

Forehand deflection in the air, Reverse deflection, Reverse stick sweep shot, 7-yard scoring, Reverse stick tomahawk, Delay the play, Recovery defence, Verbal/non-verbal communication, Zonal/numbers down defence

Drag & go, Elimination entry, Hitting, Possession box - large, Cover defense, Expanding tackle boxes, Rollover w/end-zones
Week 10

Forehand deflection in the air, Reverse deflection, Reverse stick sweep shot, 7-yard scoring, Reverse stick tomahawk, Delay the play, Recovery defence, Verbal/non-verbal communication, Zonal/numbers down defence, Marking ball side/help side, Front marking, Goal-side marking, Counter-attack/transitional play

Drag & go, Elimination entry, Hitting, Possession box - large, Cover defense, Expanding tackle boxes, Rollover w/end-zones
Week 11

Forehand deflection in the air, Reverse deflection, Reverse stick sweep shot, 7-yard scoring, Reverse stick tomahawk, Delay the play, Recovery defence, Verbal/non-verbal communication, Zonal/numbers down defence, Marking ball side/help side, Front marking, Goal-side marking, Counter-attack/transitional play

Drag & go, Elimination entry, Hitting, Possession box - large, Cover defense, Expanding tackle boxes, Rollover w/end-zones
Reinforce everything above together (2 weeks)Relevant Drills

Week 12

Delay the play, Recovery defence, Verbal/non-verbal communication, Zonal/numbers down defence, Marking ball side/help side, Front marking, Goal-side marking, Counter-attack/transitional play

Rollover w/goals, Rollover w/end-zones, 3-goal game, Small game
Week 13

Delay the play, Recovery defence, Verbal/non-verbal communication, Zonal/numbers down defence, Marking ball side/help side, Front marking, Goal-side marking, Counter-attack/transitional play

Rollover w/goals, Rollover w/end-zones, 3-goal game, Small game