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Stickhandling / On ice

Scan, call, carry

Take brief looks away from the puck, identify a visual signal, and continue carrying along a simple route.

8U · 10U · 12UBeginner6 minutes2–2 players
Original drill diagram
Scan, call, carry: player positions and movement 12
1 carries toward signaler 2 beyond the lane. The arrow shows skating; the dot is the single puck. The signaler remains outside the finish. 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. Make a straight 25-foot lane with four cones, 8 feet wide. Player 1 starts with a puck; player 2 stands 8 feet beyond the finish as the signaler.
  2. Player 1 carries slowly down the lane. Once the puck is settled, player 2 holds up one or two hands.
  3. Player 1 calls the number, takes another puck touch, then looks up again. The signaler changes the number only after a correct call.
  4. Finish the lane, stop, and return outside it. Switch roles after three trips; complete two rounds within six minutes.
  5. Count accurate calls made while the puck continues moving. Two useful looks in a trip are enough to begin; do not demand constant eye contact with the signaler.

Key teaching points

  • Cue: “Touch, peek, answer.” Brief checks can fit between puck touches.
  • Give the signal only after the carrier has started so it must actually be read.
  • Keep the skating route simple while attention shifts between puck and signal.

Common mistakes

  • Carrier stares down for the entire trip. Try: slow to a glide and ask for one look only.
  • Carrier loses the puck while staring at the signaler. Try: call the answer promptly and look back to the puck.
  • Signaler changes too quickly. Try: hold each signal until the carrier answers.

Make it fit the player

  • Easier: read one signal while stationary before starting the carry.
  • Harder: use one, two, or three raised fingers at a distance where each is clearly visible.
Research context & source notes

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

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