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Angle to the outside gate

Guide a puck carrier toward an outside route by matching travel and taking away the inside option.

12U · 14U+Intermediate7 minutes2–2 players
Original drill diagram
Angle to the outside gate: player positions and movement 1D
The upper gate is outside; the lower gate is inside. D begins inside and slightly ahead of 1. Curves illustrate parallel travel toward the outside gate, not a collision point. Original schematic; not to scale. Circles with numbers or letters mark players. Other markers and arrows are explained in the caption; some diagrams show puck or ball movement instead of skating. Red arrows show shots. Follow the written setup for spacing.

How to run it

Equipment: Skates, Hockey protective equipment, Cones, Stick, Pucks

  1. Mark a 30-foot-long, 20-foot-wide lane with two 4-foot gates at the far end: one near the outside edge and one nearer the middle of the practice area. Carrier 1 starts with the puck; defender D starts 6 feet inside and slightly ahead.
  2. Carrier 1 tries to carry through either gate. D begins by skating in the same general direction, staying between the carrier and the inside gate.
  3. D adjusts the skating line to leave the outside route more available. Use position and stick placement only; there is no body check, pin, or contact finish.
  4. End after a controlled gate exit, the defender gaining possession, an out-of-bounds puck, or 12 seconds. Reset and switch roles after four attempts.
  5. Use seven minutes. Give D one point when the carrier uses the outside gate and the defender finishes alongside rather than trailing; give the carrier one for reaching the inside gate.

Key teaching points

  • Cue: “Travel with them, close one door.” A direct charge often opens the other route.
  • Match the carrier’s pace before narrowing the gap.
  • Keep the inside gate covered with the skating position, not a long reaching lunge.

Common mistakes

  • D skates directly at the puck. Try: begin alongside and follow the travel direction first.
  • D falls behind. Try: leave a little more space and match speed sooner.
  • Carrier has no room to continue. Try: widen the lane and keep the outside route open.

Make it fit the player

  • Easier: carrier follows the outside route at a steady pace while D practices matching it.
  • Harder: carrier changes pace once during the attempt while D maintains the inside position.
Research context & source notes

Background sources for this drill’s skills and teaching principles.

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