The minnows stand along one side of the zone with a puck each. The shark waits in the middle.
How to run it
A classic game where the minnows skate across the zone with a puck each while the shark tries to take one. Trains skating at speed, puck control under pressure and protecting the puck with the body.
Set-up
The neutral zone between the blue lines, discs in the corners. The minnows line up along one side with a puck each, one shark (no puck) in the middle. Spare pucks with the coach.
Instructions
- 1The minnows stand along one side of the zone with a puck each. The shark waits in the middle.
- 2"Swim!" Everyone skates across the zone with their puck. The shark goes for number 3.
- 3The shark pokes the puck off number 3's stick and takes it.
- 4The shark leaves the puck outside the playing area. The others reach the safe line on the far side.
- 5Number 3 is now a shark too – two sharks in the middle. The minnows get ready.
- 6Back across the zone! The sharks go for numbers 2 and 5.
- 7Number 5 turns away and protects the puck with the body, number 2 accelerates past.
- 8Everyone who still has a puck makes it to the safe line.
- 9The sharks skate back to the middle – the next round starts on the coach's call.
Coaching points
- Head up: see where the shark is before you skate into the middle.
- Change speed and direction near the shark – sell a fake with your eyes and go past.
- Keep your body between the shark and the puck when it gets tight.
- Shark: stick on the ice and play the puck, not the player.
Variations
Easier
The shark skates without a stick and may only take the puck with the skates, or the minnows skate without pucks.
Harder
Two sharks from the start, a smaller zone, or the minnows must skate the last part backwards.
Equipment
- 4 × Markers
Use this drill with your team
Add it to a training in SquadSpace, adjust it to your squad and show it to the players in the app – in 2D or 3D.
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