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Puck protection / On ice

Escape turn and outlet

Turn away from a marked pressure point and reconnect with a passing option after the turn.

10U · 12U · 14U+Intermediate7 minutes2–2 players
Original drill diagram
Escape turn and outlet: player positions and movement 12Pressure
1 approaches the pressure cone, turns below it, and passes back to 2. The solid curve is skating; the dashed line is the outlet after the turn. Mirror the whole setup for the other side. 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. Set a pressure cone 12 feet ahead of carrier 1. Partner 2 waits 10 feet behind and 8 feet to the carrier’s right. Use one puck; the cone represents pressure, not a live defender.
  2. Carry toward the cone, then begin a U-turn about 3 feet before it. Turn right first, bringing the puck around on the side away from the cone.
  3. Complete the turn, find partner 2, and pass to their presented blade. Partner 2 holds the puck while carrier 1 returns to the start.
  4. Partner 2 returns the puck. Make four repetitions, then mirror the setup to turn left and complete four more. Swap roles halfway through seven minutes.
  5. Count turns that leave enough separation from the cone to make the outlet without an extra recovery circle.

Key teaching points

  • Cue: “Leave the cone behind, find your outlet.” Complete the escape before forcing the pass.
  • Place the puck on the outside of the turn relative to the pressure cone.
  • The receiver should offer a visible target once the carrier comes around.

Common mistakes

  • Puck passes beside the pressure cone. Try: begin the turn earlier.
  • Carrier passes before seeing the receiver. Try: require a spoken name before the pass.
  • Turn becomes a wide loop. Try: slow the approach and keep the puck near the turning path.

Make it fit the player

  • Easier: remove the pass and finish the turn facing the receiver with the puck settled.
  • Harder: let the receiver shift a few feet left or right during the turn, then find the new target.
Research context & source notes

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

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