Hey everybody, Dwayne Blais here from NSDA. I have a cool hockey drill to show you. This drill is easy, quick and has two parts. It starts as a shooting practice, which is great to get your goaltender warmed up and many players moving at the same time, and then progresses into a 2v1. First, […]
3 Player Shooting to 2v1 Drill Progression: CHALK TALK Read More »
Introduction Hockey is a fast-paced, physically demanding, and strategic game. To excel, a player needs a combination of athletic ability, endurance, strategic thinking, and specific skills related to hockey. This comprehensive guide will provide an overview of essential hockey skills and some effective ways to develop and improve them. Hockey Skills Overview Skating Skill Development
Mastering the Ice: A Comprehensive Guide to Hockey Skills Development Read More »
Hey everybody, Dwayne Blais here with the NSDA. Today, we’re going to work on wall play. So what we’re going to do is go through a little bit of a progression, going from one drill to the next and adding some different elements to it. But the biggest thing with wall work is the puck
Wall Play Drill Progression: CHALK TALK Read More »
When training young hockey players, it’s essential to remember that their bodies are still developing. Therefore, the focus should be on developing their overall athletic abilities, motor skills, and enthusiasm for fitness, rather than on specialized hockey training or heavy strength training. Here are some appropriate off-ice conditioning exercises for 8-10 year-olds: 1. Basic Strength
Face-offs are a vital component of professional hockey, and there are numerous ways that players can approach them. This guide, drawing insights from Dwayne Blais’s instructional video, will delve into the intricacies of face-offs, teaching both beginners and seasoned players how to enhance their game. Setup: Face-Off Techniques: Conclusion: Face-offs, though seemingly simple, are an
The Art of Face-Offs Read More »
Passing is an essential skill in hockey that can make or break your game. Whether you’re a seasoned veteran or a newcomer, understanding the intricacies of a well-executed pass can give you the upper hand on the ice. Dwayne Blais, NHL Skills Coach for the Detroit Red Wings, shares invaluable insights on how to pass
Passing Fundamentals Read More »
Body checking is an essential skill in hockey, integral to the game’s strategy and excitement. However, body checking and body contact are often misunderstood or poorly executed, especially by young players just entering the game. This article aims to provide a comprehensive guide on the fundamentals of body checking, emphasizing awareness, body posture, and techniques.
Mastering the Fundamentals of Body Checking in Hockey Read More »
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Email Whitelisting Read More »
Description Players leave on whistle second player in line passes
Cross Over and Puck Handling Read More »
Description F1 leaves on whistle and receives pass from D2
D Outlet Pass to F Delaying to 1-1 or 2-1 Read More »
Description D line up on hash marks and at centre
D Breakout 2 Shots Read More »
Description Drill 1:F1 leaves and skates around high conePicks up
Bracket, Jam, Puck Taps Read More »
Description D line up on hash marks, F’s line up
Breakout-Regroup 2-2 Attack Read More »
Description Bracket Turn/Transition Turn Progression1. Bracket Turn – Players leave
Bracket Turn/Transition Turn Drills Read More »
Description F line up on opposite hash marks, D on
Description Both drill start off the same way with players
Backward Cross Over with Shot 2 Teams Read More »
Description 1. Glide Turns/Passing/Shot – Player leaves from line with
4 Station, Edging, Passing, Shooting Read More »
Description Drill 1 – Players line up at blue lines
Balance/Agility Drills W Shot Read More »
Description X1 and X2 leave on the whistleX1 skates backwards
Backward Skating, Passing and Shooting 1-1, 2 Team (4 Players Moving) Read More »
Description Player will skate around the top of the circle
Description **Run each Drill in all 4 zones, switch sides,
4 Shooting Variation Warm-Up #2 Read More »
Description Drill 1: 2-1 down low. Player 1 and 2
4 Station Puck Protection Read More »
Description 1. Glide Turn Race: Players start on blue line
4 Race Stations #2 Read More »
Description If players can be separated by colours to have
Description X1 – Attack coach then make quick move for
Description Drill 1 (Right side of Practice Plan) – 2
3 Zone Practice Plan Breakouts and Attacking Read More »
Description Player 1 leaves with Puck skates around circle and
3 Shooter Warm-up Drill with Passes 2 Team Read More »
Description Rim 1 – O1 picks up rim X1 defends
3 Rims 2-1’s to 2-2 with Activator Read More »
Description The same drill will be done on both sides
3 Players / 2 Shots Each Read More »
Description 3 Players leave on the whistle (Each group of
3 Player Shooting Warm-Up Read More »
Description Cross Ice 3 on 3 – Split player up
3 on 3 Cross Ice (3 Zones) Read More »
Description Drill 1 – 2-1 Out of Corner: D starts
3 Drill Odd Man Situations Read More »
Description 2 Different colours or teams line up on blue
2 vs 2 into a 4 vs 4 Read More »
Description 2F’s skate around centre circle on whistle, F1 picks
2F-Rim, D Rim 2 Shot, F’s Breakout to 3-2 Read More »
Description F’s line up at hash marks, D line up
2-2 with F Slot Shot, 2 Point Shots Read More »
Description D skates to blue line and transitions, back pedals
2-1 Transition Drill Read More »
Description D1 walks out of corner receives pass from D2
2-1 to 2-2 Down Low Read More »
Description F starts on goal line and F starts on
2-1 Low to 2-1 Long Read More »
Description Drill 1 – Players begin on blue line (can
2 Stopping and Shooting Drills Read More »
Description Backward Cross Over Warm-Up – Players line up in
Backward Cross Over Warm-up 1/2 Ice Read More »
Description Drill starts at one of the face-off dots when
1 on 1 to 2 on 2 to 3 on 2 Read More »
Description Players are lined up on opposite hashmarks, with a
Down Low Angling + Making a Play Read More »
Description Players are gathered in the high slot of the
Description FORWARDS——–Players are grouped at centre ice, with F1, F2,
Angling – D/F Positional Groups Read More »
Description Forwards are lined-up in opposite corners, with defence on
Full Ice Angling Drill (Positional) Read More »
Description Nets are placed back to back in the center
Description Players are aligned in opposite corners on the hashmarks.Players
Backhand Stickhandling Warm-Up (Lines) Read More »
Description Players form 3 lines, on both NZ dots and
Weight Shift + Puck Control Read More »
Description Players are lined-up on all 4 NZ dots, with
Stationary BH Pass Reception and BH Puck Movement Read More »
Description Players are lined-up at all four bluelines with pucks.
Backhand Shooting Breakdown (+ BH Pass Reception) Read More »
Description Players are lined-up on opposite sides of the centre-ice
Backhand Overload Drill Read More »
Description **Run each Drill in all 4 zones, switch sides,
2 Shooting Variation Warm-Up Read More »
Description 2 different drills at both ends of the rink,
2 Shooting Stations Read More »
Description X’s play 1vs1 down low in the corner 5-7
1v1, Shooting Under Pressure Read More »
Description Drill 1: 1. F gives a saucer pass to
1. Catch-Release/Backdoor Touches 2.Rims, Retrievals, Backdoor Touches Read More »
Description X1 skates backwards, X2 skates forward and they one
1-Touch, Movement on Shot Read More »
Description 1-1 Option:On whistle D skates behind net with puck
1-1 Simple with 2-1 Option Read More »
Description X1/X2 leave from red line on whistle and race
1-1 Race/1v1 Attack Read More »
Description 2 D leave on whistle and race for pass
1-1 Race to 2-2 Battle Read More »
Description F1 passes to D and adds pressure to D
D Pressure, Regroup, 2-1 Read More »
Description F receives puck down low from coach, makes a
Description F and D one touch pass to far blue,
Warm-Up, D-F Exchange F Shot, D Shot Read More »
Description 2 F’s and 1D leave from red line, skate
Goalie Exchange, Regroup, 2-1, D Shot w/ Pressure Read More »
Description Drill 1: Break Down Cross Overs – Players line
Forward Cross Over Breakdown Read More »
Description X1 skates up and around the top of the
Description Review Puck Handling – Hands in good position, Top
Deception – Stick Handling Warm Up Read More »
Description On whistle first player from each line will leave
Cross Over Warm-up with Cones/Nets Read More »
Description Working on Cross Over Starts, begin with players simply
Cross Over Start Teaching Drill Read More »
Description Players line up on all 4 blue lines (lines
Cross Over Race into a 2vs2 Read More »
Description Depending on the skill level of your players and
Description Players line up in corner and skate to face
Description Drill 1 – 1/2 Figure 8 Race – Players
4 Station Compete Drills Read More »
Description Players start on the blue linesPlayers leave on the
4 Race Options 2 Team Read More »
Description Players leave corner and make passes at each dot
Description Players line up on blue line. On whistle, X1
1-1 Wall Play, Delay to 2-2 Read More »
Description F1 begins by stripping puck from coach and soft
D Net Bump to 2-1 with Back Pressure Read More »
Description X1 leaves down the wall with puck, makes a
Quick Shot, Rim to High Slot Shot Read More »
Description Review Puck Handling – Hands in good position, Top
Stick Handling Warm Up Read More »
Description X1 leaves with puck, fakes inside blue line and
Passing Deception, Quick Shots, Rim to Finish Read More »
Description Players line up in 2 lines at blue lines,
1-1 Race to 2-2 Attack Read More »
Have you ever wondered what the difference is between a wrist shot and a snap shot? All right, well here it is. The biggest difference between a wrist shot and a snap shot is the puck on our blade. If you think of a wrist shot, especially an old-school wrist shot, where players load it
The Differences Between Wrist Shots and Snap Shots Read More »
In this video, we share the techniques we use when training our players to skate forward and get the most speed and stability possible. We’re going to start by looking at our body positioning from our head all the way down to our toes. OUR HEAD The first thing, our head and shoulders have to
How to Skate Forward Like a PRO Read More »
In this article, we take a look at a punch jam, the baby brother of the jam turn. It’s a bit of a made-up, slang term, but it’s a move players can use to create time and space. A jam turn is a tight turn where a player drives their front foot out, almost like
In this article, we’re going talk about how to break down a wrist shot and how to look at little features that are going to help make your wrist shot a lot harder, a lot more accurate, and way more powerful. Hockey Canada has listed the Wrist Shot as an essential skill for players to
How to take a STRONG Wrist Shot Read More »
This video offers coaches a quick fix on how to help their players become better on their outside edge. When we look at a hockey skate, we have two edges. We have our inside edge and our outside edge. The inside edge for most players is pretty easy; they skate off their inside edge when
Outside Edge: A Quick Fix Read More »
Today, we’re going to take a look at quick-release shooting. I know there are a lot of videos out there on quick-release shooting, but today, I want to touch on just how to address the puck properly in order to get that shot off quickly and effectively. Quick-Release Shooting off a Pass I have a
Simple Tools to Improve Your Quick Release Shot Read More »
In this video, the next skating skill we’re going to touch on is jam turns. What a jam turn is, basically, is a tight, tight, tight turn that you might use along the boards or in a tight area that you want to get out of really quickly. A jam turn allows you to get
Want to connect and share ideas with other hockey coaches from around the world? Join our Minor Hockey Coaches Group on Facebook, which has coaches from Canada, the United States, Europe and even Australia. Looking for help to practice more of your skills? Check out the rest of our videos here.
QUICK RELEASE SHOTS Read More »
Hey everyone, welcome to the NSDA! I’m Dwayne Blais, NHL Skills Coach for the Detroit Red Wings, and today we’re diving into some cool, simple tools to improve your shot, making it even better. Whether it’s a skills coach, your parent, or anyone else helping you shoot the puck harder, especially wrist shots and snapshots,
Simple Tools to Improve Your Shot Read More »
Want to connect and share ideas with other hockey coaches from around the world? Join our Minor Hockey Coaches Group on Facebook, which has coaches from Canada, the United States, Europe and even Australia. Looking for help to practice more of your skills? Check out the rest of our videos here.
HOCKEY STICK LIE & FLEX Read More »
Today, we’re going to take a look at Inside Edge Fakes. We had a good question from Greg Price: “I noticed that a lot of lead players are using a different fake than the typical front fake. You shift their weight for the fake, then pull the puck back to protect it. They curl on
Hello, my name is Dwayne Blais, and welcome to the National Skill Development Association. Today, we’re going to break down how to perform one-legged stops, whether it’s on your inside edge or outside edge. We had a great question from ebeckable on YouTube who asked, “Can you make a step-by-step video on how to stop
Want to connect and share ideas with other hockey coaches from around the world? Join our Minor Hockey Coaches Group on Facebook, which has coaches from Canada, the United States, Europe and even Australia. Looking for help to practice more of your skills? Check out the rest of our videos here.
One Knee Down One Timers Read More »
Want to connect and share ideas with other hockey coaches from around the world? Join our Minor Hockey Coaches Group on Facebook, which has coaches from Canada, the United States, Europe and even Australia. Looking for help to practice more of your skills? Check out the rest of our videos here.
Shooting in Stride Progression Read More »
Want to connect and share ideas with other hockey coaches from around the world? Join our Minor Hockey Coaches Group on Facebook, which has coaches from Canada, the United States, Europe and even Australia. Looking for help to practice more of your skills? Check out the rest of our videos here.
Want to connect and share ideas with other hockey coaches from around the world? Join our Minor Hockey Coaches Group on Facebook, which has coaches from Canada, the United States, Europe and even Australia. Looking for help to practice more of your skills? Check out the rest of our videos here.
Have you tried looking into youth hockey tournaments in another country only to find that they use different terms for their age groups? We have broken down the age groups for minor hockey among the leading hockey nations to quickly reference what level your players equate to in other countries. Initiation/Tyke/Mite (5-6 years old), Novice/Mite
EXPLAINED: Minor (Youth) Hockey Age Groups (2023-2024 SEASON) Read More »
Want to connect and share ideas with other hockey coaches from around the world? Join our Minor Hockey Coaches Group on Facebook, which has coaches from Canada, the United States, Europe and even Australia. Looking for help to practice more of your skills? Check out the rest of our videos here.
YouTube Live Q&A Session – October 19 Read More »
Want to connect and share ideas with other hockey coaches from around the world? Join our Minor Hockey Coaches Group on Facebook, which has coaches from Canada, the United States, Europe and even Australia. Looking for help to practice more of your skills? Check out the rest of our videos here.
Facebook Live Q&A – October 18 Read More »
Want to connect and share ideas with other hockey coaches from around the world? Join our Minor Hockey Coaches Group on Facebook, which has coaches from Canada, the United States, Europe and even Australia. Looking for help to practice more of your skills? Check out the rest of our videos here.
DETAILED HAND POSITIONING ON STICK Read More »
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