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Backhand catch and release

Receive a lateral pass on the backhand and turn that catch into a low backhand shot without moving the puck to the forehand.

10U · 12UIntermediate7 minutes2–2 players
Original drill diagram
Backhand catch and release: player positions and movement 12
2 feeds laterally to 1; the dashed arrow is the incoming puck and the red arrow is the backhand shot at the empty right-hand net. Mirror the passing side for the shooter’s handedness. Four pucks are used sequentially; one feed is shown. 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, Net

  1. Put shooter 1 about 12 feet from an empty net, with one cone behind the station. Passer 2 stands 10 feet to the shooter’s backhand side with four pucks. Mirror the feed side for opposite-handed sticks.
  2. Passer 2 sends one gentle flat feed to the presented backhand blade. Shooter 1 cushions it and settles it beside the body where a short backhand sweep can begin.
  3. Choose a low opening, sweep the puck toward it on the backhand, and finish with the blade low. This is a catch-and-release sequence, not a one-timer; keep the forehand out of the sequence.
  4. Reset the receiving blade before the next feed. After four shots, pause, collect all pucks, and switch roles. Complete two sets per player if time allows within seven minutes.
  5. Count sequences with a controlled backhand catch followed by a shot on net. Count catches separately if the shot is still inconsistent so the two skills can be coached individually.

Key teaching points

  • Cue: “Backhand catch, backhand finish.” Keep the same blade face involved through the sequence.
  • Present the receiving target before the pass leaves.
  • Settle the puck within comfortable sweeping reach instead of stretching into a long swing.

Common mistakes

  • Shooter transfers to forehand automatically. Try: rehearse the catch and hold on the backhand before adding the shot.
  • Puck rebounds from the receiving blade. Try: reduce the feed speed and let the hands give on contact.
  • Shot begins from beneath the skates. Try: position the receiving target slightly farther to the backhand side.

Make it fit the player

  • Easier: pause for two counts after the backhand catch, then make a separate shot.
  • Harder: shorten the settling pause while preserving a controlled catch; do not change this into a one-timer.
Research context & source notes

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

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