All sports

🏒 Ice hockey drills

💙 I can't give medical or injury advice. For pain, injuries, a possible concussion, or health conditions, please speak with a doctor, physiotherapist or certified athletic therapist — and let your coach know. Young athletes: tell a parent or guardian. In an emergency, call 911 (Canada & US) or 112 (India).

Under 12

Stickhandling figure-8

10 min · 1+ players · Puck control
  1. Place two pucks/cones 1 m apart.
  2. Stickhandle a figure-8 around them, head up.
  3. 30 s on, 30 s rest; try both forehand and backhand.

Coach tip: Off-ice works too with a ball on a smooth floor.

Learn more: Hockey Canada – Coaching ↗

Partner passing

8 min · 2 players · Passing & receiving
  1. Partners 5 m apart.
  2. Pass and receive with soft hands, 20 each side.
  3. Step back to 10 m when consistent.

Coach tip: Look at your target before you pass.

Learn more: Hockey Canada – Coaching ↗

13–17

Stickhandling figure-8

10 min · 1+ players · Puck control
  1. Place two pucks/cones 1 m apart.
  2. Stickhandle a figure-8 around them, head up.
  3. 30 s on, 30 s rest; try both forehand and backhand.

Coach tip: Off-ice works too with a ball on a smooth floor.

Learn more: Hockey Canada – Coaching ↗

Partner passing

8 min · 2 players · Passing & receiving
  1. Partners 5 m apart.
  2. Pass and receive with soft hands, 20 each side.
  3. Step back to 10 m when consistent.

Coach tip: Look at your target before you pass.

Learn more: Hockey Canada – Coaching ↗

Edge-work circles

10 min · 1+ players · Skating
  1. Skate faceoff circles on inside edges, then outside edges.
  2. Add crossovers both directions.
  3. Finish with tight turns around a cone.

Coach tip: Wear full equipment on ice, always.

Learn more: Hockey Canada – Coaching ↗

Adults

Stickhandling figure-8

10 min · 1+ players · Puck control
  1. Place two pucks/cones 1 m apart.
  2. Stickhandle a figure-8 around them, head up.
  3. 30 s on, 30 s rest; try both forehand and backhand.

Coach tip: Off-ice works too with a ball on a smooth floor.

Learn more: Hockey Canada – Coaching ↗

Partner passing

8 min · 2 players · Passing & receiving
  1. Partners 5 m apart.
  2. Pass and receive with soft hands, 20 each side.
  3. Step back to 10 m when consistent.

Coach tip: Look at your target before you pass.

Learn more: Hockey Canada – Coaching ↗

Edge-work circles

10 min · 1+ players · Skating
  1. Skate faceoff circles on inside edges, then outside edges.
  2. Add crossovers both directions.
  3. Finish with tight turns around a cone.

Coach tip: Wear full equipment on ice, always.

Learn more: Hockey Canada – Coaching ↗

Explainers

Practise little and often

Short, regular skill sessions (10–20 minutes) build technique better than rare long ones. Mix in games so practice feels like the real thing. (Sport for Life – Long-Term Development ↗)

Age-appropriate play

Young players learn best through fun, small-sided games and modified equipment. Specialising early isn't required — sampling several sports is encouraged. (Sport for Life – Long-Term Development ↗)

Where to learn more about hockey

Your national governing body has coaching courses, age-grade rules and safety guidance. Always follow your club's and league's rules. (Hockey Canada – Coaching ↗)

Practice log

For under-18s we only record the drill and minutes — no body or health metrics.

Drills summarised by SportsGPT for general skill practice. Follow your league's age-grade rules and use proper safety equipment. Sources checked October 16, 2026.