Backchecking Drill (1/2 Ice)

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Contributor: Dennis Chighisola -- Whitman, MA USA Drill Category: Team Defense, Backchecking Drill Description: Comments: I've only used 3 pairs of players per drill because it's easier to keep an eye on and inspect the efforts of a few at a time. Also, all positional players -- both forwards and defensemen -- take part in both offensive and defensive roles.

• Backcheckers: Lie facing away from attackers so that no plans can be made ahead of time on which defender will cover which attacker.
• Attackers: Begin the drill by lying face down; on command, circle the back obstacle in order to make it more difficult for the backcheckers to sort whom they'll cover. (With younger players, or to initially teach the drill concepts, I might not have the attackers circle an obstacle, but instead have them go on the attack on the command.)
• Coach: Holds a puck at side boards and ultimately (maybe after about 3- to 5-seconds) feeds to an open attacker.

Objective of the Drill: The attackers attempt to get open for passes (from the coach and then from open teammates) to attack the net, while all defenders attempt to cover their men so tightly that passes can't be made to them. As an extra benefit, the attackers tend to work extra hard to get themselves open for passes or scoring opportunities. Running the drill: Usually the drill lasts about 10-seconds, or until the coach is satisfied that the backcheckers completed their tasks (or didn't). Click image below to see a short video.