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Goalie stop and outlet

Stop a gentle feed behind the net, locate a teammate, and send a controlled outlet before returning to the crease.

12U · 14U+Intermediate8 minutes2–2 players
Original drill diagram
Goalie stop and outlet: player positions and movement G2Outlet
G begins in the crease. 2 feeds behind the right-hand net, then moves up the lower side to the outlet cone. G follows the curved route behind the net and passes to the new outlet spot. The return to the crease is omitted for clarity. 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, Goalie equipment, Stick, Pucks, Cones, Net

  1. Goalie G begins at the middle of the crease. Partner 2 starts to one side of the net with one puck; put an outlet cone 12 feet farther up that same side. Leave room behind the net for G to work.
  2. Partner 2 slides the puck gently along the ice toward a reachable spot behind the net, away from the posts. G moves behind the net and stops it with the blade.
  3. While G stops the puck, partner 2 skates to the outlet cone and presents a target. G looks up, identifies the target, and passes along the clear side of the net.
  4. G returns to the crease while partner 2 carries the puck back to the feed position. Complete four feeds, then mirror the station to the other side.
  5. Use eight minutes including resets. Count outlets that reach the receiver without striking the net or requiring a chase; this is a passing task, not a save drill.

Key teaching points

  • Cue: “Stop, look, send, return.” Establish possession before choosing the outlet.
  • The receiving player gets clear of the net before asking for the puck.
  • G chooses a comfortable passing grip and a short target before adding distance.

Common mistakes

  • G releases before locating the receiver. Try: name the partner before passing.
  • Puck hits the side of the net. Try: move the receiving cone wider and show the clear lane.
  • G stays behind the net after passing. Try: make the return to the crease part of the count.

Make it fit the player

  • Easier: start G behind the net with a stationary puck and practice only the outlet.
  • Harder: partner 2 chooses between two nearby outlet spots and shows the blade only after G controls the puck.
Research context & source notes

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

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