Cycling drills teach young players the fundamentals of puck possession. You want your players to keep possession of the puck until a defender misses an assignment, giving your team a shot at the net. The longer your team can successfully cycle the puck, the more likely it becomes that you will create a scoring chance.
Basic Cycle
A basic cycle drill teaches your players to move in sequence to the corner, up the boards and into the slot. Put your players in groups of three at each end of the ice and dump a puck into each corner. The group of three must communicate with one another to know which player will chase the puck and which players will join the cycle. The first player takes the puck in the corner, skates up the boards toward the blue line and then passes the puck back to the corner where a second player positions himself. Once the first player makes this pass, he heads to the slot to receive a pass, while the second player takes the puck up the boards and the third player heads to the corner. Since this drill does not use any defenders, your players should cycle a few times through before attempting a shot at the net.
Net Cycle
The net cycle attempts to break the defense down in front of the net by cycling lower in the zone. The first player takes the puck behind the net and skates out toward the face-off circle. The second forward then takes his place behind the net and the first forward will pass back behind the net once he draws a defenseman to him. Once he makes the pass behind the net, he will head to the front of the net. This process continues until one defenseman chases the wrong player, which could free up the player in front of the net. When practicing this drill, make sure that the second forward goes around the opposite side of the net than the puck carrier.
Three-on-Three Battle
Once your team has mastered the positioning of the cycle, you can add defensemen to the drill. You will run these drills the same way -- except your offensive players must earn a shot at the net by getting free in the slot and out-battling a defenseman. When starting out, you can force your defensemen to run the drill without sticks, as this gets the offensive players used to dealing with bodies, but does not make the drill too challenging.
Considerations
Have your team run these drills as quickly as possible. Your players should look to the net after every pass because if the defense gives them any room, they must take advantage of it. Have your players take unexpected shots from the boards, since the player cycling to the slot can get the rebound.
References
- "Hockey Drills for Puck Control"; Vern Stenlund; 1996
- "Hockey Plays and Strategies"; Ryan Walter, et al.; 2009
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