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Acceleration / On ice

T-start straight launch

Start in a known direction using a T-shaped skate setup, then connect the first push to forward strides.

8U · 10UIntermediate6 minutes1–1 players
Original drill diagram
T-start straight launch: player positions and movement 1StartFinish
1 launches straight toward Finish. The short first arrow is the T-start push; the next arrow is the connected forward stride sequence. Skate orientation must be learned from the coach, not inferred from the circle symbol. 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

  1. Put Start and Finish cones 15 feet apart beside a 6-foot-wide lane. Leave 15 feet of runout. Use one skater without a puck, already able to glide and stop; the coach demonstrates the setup.
  2. At Start, aim the lead skate toward Finish. Place the other skate behind it and turned outward into a comfortable T shape, leaving space between the blades.
  3. Push from the rear skate to begin moving along the lane. Bring that skate back into the forward skating sequence and add two short alternating strides without pausing after the first push.
  4. Coast, use the familiar stop beyond Finish, and return outside. Switch which skate leads for the next attempt. Make three starts each way within six minutes.
  5. Count launches that travel straight and connect to the next strides. The setup changes between attempts; the destination remains fixed.

Key teaching points

  • Cue: “Point, push, keep going.” Choose the travel direction before loading the first push.
  • Keep the lead skate pointing down the lane so the opening push does not become a sideways turn.
  • Use a comfortable turnout rather than forcing the rear foot into an exact angle.

Common mistakes

  • Player drifts sideways on the first push. Try: check the lead blade’s direction before starting.
  • Player pauses after pushing. Try: rehearse the first push and next two strides as one sequence.
  • Rear skate is jammed against the lead skate. Try: leave a small blade gap in the starting shape.

Make it fit the player

  • Easier: practice the first push into a two-foot glide before adding the alternating strides.
  • Harder: begin on a visual signal while retaining the preselected direction and the same lead foot.
Research context & source notes

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

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