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Body-puck split obstacle

Send the puck around one side of a marker while skating around the other, then recover it beyond the obstacle.

10U · 12UIntermediate7 minutes1–1 players
Original drill diagram
Body-puck split obstacle: player positions and movement 1Start
1 approaches from the left. The solid upper curve is the skater’s left-side route; the dashed lower curve is a self-push of the puck to the skater’s right. The routes meet beyond the cone before the right-side gate. Mirror for the second set. 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. Place an obstacle cone 12 feet ahead of Start and a two-cone collection gate 8 feet beyond it, 6 feet wide. Use one puck and one player; the gate is the destination after the split.
  2. Approach at an easy glide. Before the obstacle, gently push the puck to the right of the cone while taking the skating route to its left, as seen by the approaching player.
  3. Let the puck slide past the cone, bring the blade back into its path beyond the obstacle, and collect it before carrying through the gate. Do not step over the cone or lift the puck.
  4. Return outside the course and reset. Make three attempts with puck right/body left, then three with the sides reversed during seven minutes.
  5. Count recoveries made beyond the cone and before the gate without a chase. Both routes must go outside the obstacle; circling with the puck on the same side does not complete the task.

Key teaching points

  • Cue: “Puck one side, feet the other, meet beyond.” Separate the routes before reaching the marker.
  • Give the puck only enough push to clear the cone and remain catchable.
  • Look toward the meeting point as the body clears the obstacle.

Common mistakes

  • Puck and player use the same side. Try: rehearse the two routes slowly without a puck first.
  • Puck runs through the gate before collection. Try: reduce the push and bring the start closer.
  • Player reaches across before clearing the cone. Try: wait until both skates pass the marker before gathering.

Make it fit the player

  • Easier: stop the puck just beyond the cone, walk the skating route slowly, and collect it from rest.
  • Harder: complete the split and recovery in one continuous glide without increasing the puck’s travel distance.
Research context & source notes

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

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