Top 13 Youth Hockey Drills

Do you have an upcoming youth hockey evaluation and are unsure what drills to incorporate? Or maybe you want to switch up your drills at practice to avoid repetition while helping your athletes develop proper mechanics, strength, and coordination.

Regardless of the reason, we break down 13 youth hockey drills that are easy to teach and simple for young athletes to learn and execute.

Youth Hockey Goalie Drills

Butterfly Stick Saves

Set up:

• This drill will be executed in pairs.
• One player will be in the goalie position while the other player’s role is the shooter.

Execution:

• The goalie will stand directly in front of the net with their stick in hand.
• The other player will attempt to shoot the puck in the net (alternating which side they take a shot from).
• The goalie will then quickly drop down to their knees and use their stick to block and/or redirect the shot.

Note: Ensure the goalies keep their knee pads flat against the ice while their upper body remains upright.

Post to Post

While there are a variety of movements they can practice, here are some common variations:

• Shuffle laterally from side to side.
• Shuffle laterally and glide back. Then shuffle laterally and glide up. (This will be in a square formation).
• Skate diagonally from the back post to the crease, shuffle laterally, and then glide straight back.(This will be in a triangle formation).

Rebound Control

Set up:

• This drill will be executed in pairs.
• One player will be in the goalie position while the other player’s role is the shooter.

Execution:

• The goalie will start on either the left or right angle of the crease.
• They will then shuffle laterally to the center of the crease and shuffle back to where they began.
• While the goalie is shuffling back to where they began, the other player will take a shot right to the goalie’s elbows or chest area.
• The goalie will then drop down to their knees in a butterfly position, and work to catch the puck with their hands (or in between their knees as an alternative).

Youth Hockey Shooting Drills

Continuous Shooting Drill

Set up:

• Line up players in a single-file line, about 12 feet away from the net.
• Each player will have a stick and puck.
• For the first half of the drill, keep the net empty.

Execution:

• On your whistle, one player at a time will skate up to the net and attempt to make a shot.
  • *To make this drill more challenging, call out a shot you would like them to attempt as they begin to skate. I.e., Slapshot, backhand, wrist shot.
• After the 1^st player in line makes a shot (successful or unsuccessful), the next player in line will take their turn.
• All players will repeat this drill again with a goalie occupying the net.

Corner Shooting Drill

Set up:

• Players will be stationed in a single-file line on one corner of the rink.
• Keep the net empty for the first half of the drill.

Execution:

• The first player in line will skate around the face-off circle and towards the net.
• Once near the net, they will attempt to make a shot.
• For the next half of the drill, add in a goalie.

Corner shooting drill

Youth Hockey Skating Drills

Slalom Skate

Set up:

• Place two cones on either side of the ice (across the length of the ice).
• Set up 4-5 stations across the ice.
• Divide up your players and have them form a single-file line behind each cone.

Execution:

• On your whistle, the first player in each line will slalom skate to the opposite pylon.
• *Players will keep their feet hip-width apart and focus on carving small curves on the ice (without lifting their feet). Their arms can be used for extra power & momentum here.
• Once the player reaches the opposite pylon, the next player in line will take their turn.

T-cone Drill

Set up:

• Place 4 cones in a T-shape. *Aim to have two stations on the ice.
• Divide up your players behind each cone.

Execution:

• The first player in line will skate forward at full speed.
• As they approach the opposite side, they will make a hard cut to the left or right cone (based on what direction you call out).
• The next player in line will take their turn.

T-cone Drill

Tight Turns Skating Drill

Set up:

• Place two cones on either side of the ice (across the length of the ice).
• Set up 4-5 stations across the ice.
• Divide up your players and have them form a single-file line behind each cone.

Execution:

• On your whistle, the first player in each line will skate at full speed to the opposite pylon.
• *Wide strides, proper edgework, and a controlled arm swing will help players with their speed.
• Once the player gets to the opposite pylon, they will make a tight turn around the pylon and quickly skate back to the starting pylon.
• The next player in line will take their turn.

Youth Hockey Stickhandling Drills

Circle Skate

Set up:

• Divide players among each of the face-off circles.
• Each player will have a stick and puck.

Execution:

• The first player in each circle will skate around the face-off circle, working to maintain close contact with their puck at all times.
• After a certain time (use a stopwatch if required), the next player in each circle will take their turn.

Circle Escape

Set up:

• 6 players will be stationed on each face-off circle at an equal distance apart. *All these players will have a stick.
• One player will be placed in the middle of the face-off circle with a stick and a puck.

Execution:

• The player in the middle of the circle will try to successfully escape with the puck.
• The players on the outside of the circle can move their stick to try and deflect the puck from leaving the circle. However, they can’t move their feet.

Circle escape drill

Side Shuffles

Set up:

• Set up 4-6 stations around the ice with two pylons each.
• Pylons at each station should be 12 feet apart.
• Divide your players equally among the stations. *Each player will have a stick and puck.

Execution:

• The first player at each station will shuffle between the pylons, moving the puck back and forth.
• With each shuffle, players must focus on maintaining close puck control by using the whole stick blade while keeping a relaxed grip.
• At any point in the drill, move the pylons closer together. This will help your players improve their control and agility.
• Set a timer for 30-40 seconds. Once the time is up, the next player at each station will go ahead.

Youth Hockey Passing Drills

Timed Relay Passes

Set up:

• Place two cones on either side of the ice (across the length of the ice).
• Set up two stations.
• Divide your players up among the stations. *For each stations, two single-file lines will be formed (all athletes will be paired up).
• All players will have a stick; however, only one player in each pair will have a puck.
• Have a stopwatch ready in hand.

Execution:

• Once your timer starts, the first two players in each line will take turns passing the puck back and forth while skating to the opposite pylon.
• After reaching the opposite pylon, stop your time and have the next players in each line take their turn.
• Announce the fastest time at the end of the drill.
• *While speed is important, ensure players keep a flat blade, avoid slapping the puck, and maintain eye contact for better control and accuracy. 

Timed relay drill

Partner Pass & Shoot

Set up:

• Pair up players on one side of the ice.
• Two single-file lines will be formed on either side of the net.
• Keep the net empty for the first half of the drill.

Execution:

• On your whistle, the first two players in each line will begin skating towards the opposite goal.
• A series of passes will be made between players.
• Once at an appropriate distance from the goal, one player will attempt to make a shot immediately after receiving a pass. *Ensure there are no delays between passing and shooting.
• The “shooter” in each pair should alternate every turn.
• Add in a goalie for the back half of the drill to make it more challenging.