Passing in Pairs Up the Ice

How to run it

Pairs skate the length of the ice passing back and forth at speed; the last pass goes to the player driving the net, who shoots. Trains passing and receiving on the move, forehand and backhand.

Set-up

Full ice. Pairs start at one goal line in two lanes about 6 m apart. One puck per pair. Goalie in the far net. The next pair goes when the pair in front reaches the red line.

Instructions

1. 1Pair 1 at one end, pair 2 behind. Goalie in the far net. One player in each pair has the puck.
2. 2Pair 1 sets off: the first pass goes ahead to the partner on the move. Pair 2 moves up.
3. 3Pass back – take the puck in stride without stopping.
4. 4Third pass. Pair 2 goes when pair 1 reaches the red line.
5. 5Fourth pass over the blue line; pair 2 passes behind them.
6. 6The puck is carried into the zone, the partner drives the net.
7. 7Pass to the player driving the net.
8. 8Shot! Pair 2 carries the puck into the zone.
9. 9Pair 1 curls out to the boards. Pair 2 passes to the player driving the net.
10. 10Pair 2 shoots. Pair 1 skates back along the boards to the line.

Coaching points

• Pass ahead of your partner so the puck meets the stick in stride.
• Soft reception: cushion the puck with the blade as it arrives.
• Keep the lanes apart – too close makes passing harder.
• Switch sides every other time so everyone trains both forehand and backhand.

Variations