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Carry, set, shoot

Carry a puck into a controlled stop, settle it on the forehand, and send a low shot toward an empty net.

8U · 10U · 12UBeginner7 minutes1–1 players
Original drill diagram
Carry, set, shoot: player positions and movement 1ABC
Player 1 starts with the dot/puck at A. Carry to B and stop; red arrow = low shot into the empty net. Then follow the solid arrow sideways to C. Retrieve only on the coach’s signal. No goalie. 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: Stick, Pucks, Cones, Net, Skates, Hockey protective equipment

  1. A coach secures an empty net and marks a start (A), a shooting point (B) several meters in front of it, and a side exit (C). Adjust distances to the player’s stopping ability. Keep the shooting, rebound and exit areas empty.
  2. One player starts at A with one puck, carries slowly to B, and stops fully. Settle the puck on the forehand side, within comfortable stick reach and clear of the skates.
  3. Look at a low target in the net. With knees soft, sweep the puck forward toward that target and finish with the blade low. Use control rather than a big wind-up; no slap shots.
  4. After releasing, move sideways to C and stop clear of the shooting lane. Do not follow the puck into the goal.
  5. Wait for the coach’s retrieval signal; shooting stops during retrieval. Reset at A for another attempt. The seven-minute station includes retrieval and rest, not continuous shooting.

Key teaching points

  • Cue: “Stop, settle, look, sweep.” Separate those actions until the player can repeat them calmly.
  • Forehand is the side using the cupped face of the blade. Keep the puck far enough from the skates to sweep it without reaching.
  • Aim for a low, controlled finish toward the chosen target. Accuracy and balance matter more than puck height or power.

Common mistakes

  • The puck is between the feet at release. Try: stop first and move it to a reachable forehand position before shooting.
  • A rushed swing sends the puck high or wide. Try: shorten the sweep and choose a low target; ask the coach to demonstrate.
  • The player chases the shot toward the net. Try: rehearse the B-to-C exit without a puck before the next attempt.

Make it fit the player

  • Easier: for a newer 8U player, start stationary at B and practice settling and sweeping; add the carry only after controlled stopping is reliable.
  • Harder: for a confident 10U/12U player, a coach may replace the full stop with a slow glide once the release and side exit are controlled.
  • Readiness: if stopping or the exit is unreliable, use the stationary version. Do not add a goalie or defender to this setup.
Research context & source notes

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

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