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Backward C-cut lane

Build backward travel from alternating curved pushes while keeping a steady lane and a controlled stop at the finish.

8U · 10U · 12UBeginner6 minutes1–1 players
Original drill diagram
Backward C-cut lane: player positions and movement 1
1 faces left while traveling backward to the right. Four cones mark the lane; the arrow shows travel, not the direction the player faces. 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

  1. Mark a lane 20 feet long and 6 feet wide with four cones. Start at one end facing away from the finish; check the route before starting. Use no puck.
  2. With both skates down, make one small outward-and-back curve with the right skate. Bring it beside the left skate before trying the left side.
  3. Alternate four pushes, then coast briefly on both skates. Repeat until near the finish; use a backward stop already learned rather than adding a new stopping skill here.
  4. Return forward outside the lane. Complete three trips, pause to discuss which foot pushed more smoothly, then complete three more.
  5. Count trips completed inside the lane with both feet contributing. Use the six minutes for demonstration, two short sets, and recovery; distance is not a race.

Key teaching points

  • Cue: “Curve, return, change feet.” Separate the pushes so each leg does useful work.
  • Let the knees stay bent through the return instead of standing up after every push.
  • Judge the result by straight travel, not by how large a mark the skate makes.

Common mistakes

  • Player drifts to one side. Try: use two deliberately small pushes on each side before alternating again.
  • Feet spread farther apart each time. Try: pause with skates back under the hips between pushes.
  • Player bounces upright. Try: shorten the push and keep the head at a similar height.

Make it fit the player

  • Easier: shorten the lane to 10 feet and practice one push followed by a two-foot pause.
  • Harder: link six alternating pushes before coasting, keeping the original lane width.
Research context & source notes

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

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