Hockey Skills Factory

02/03/2026

Over 29 drills in one click. There are no secrets in ice hockey and love to share this with the whole community

Dear hockey friends, Here I proudly present 29 drills that I have developed over the past few weeks. It is an honor for me to share this work with all of you. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me. Hockey belongs to ...

02/03/2026

My new article:

Dear ice hockey friends, Today I’m presenting a drill designed specifically for pro-level teams or highly skilled junior programs. Why this drill? I strongly believe that players at this level must train in an acyclic tempo and direction,...

26/02/2026

Dear hockey friends,

How are you doing? I’m feeling great and looking forward to presenting another drill I’ve prepared for you.

Key Facts

1. The drill is full-ice, with active involvement of all players and coaches
2. Designed primarily as 2-on-2 +2 support, but it can also be adapted to 3-on-2 +2
3. Optimal numbers: 20 players — 12 forwards and 8 defensemen
4. Suitable from U15 Elite
5. This is a flow drill
6. The objective is not only offensive ex*****on but also defensive responsibility, especially early tracking of attacking players
7. The drill can be run in two jersey colors, but also in four for clarity
8. Defensemen are involved in both defensive and offensive phases
9. The drill offers countless upgrade options
10. Recommended to run the drill from both sides

Objectives

* Breakout under pressure
* Proper skating routes and gap control by defending players
* Connecting hockey IQ, technical skill, and tactical ex*****on into one sequence

20/02/2026

Dear hockey friends,

Today we’ll dive into something bigger — a 2-on-1 drill packed with educational elements that every coach values and expects from their players.

Focus of the Drill
* Solving 2-on-1 situations from both the offensive and defensive perspective
* Double neutral-zone buildup
* Regroup concepts
* Passing quality

Target Group
* Suitable for U18 and above

Personnel
* 18 players + 2 goaltenders

19/02/2026

Dear hockey friends,

Today, February 19, 2026, as part of the DRILLDOCTOR series, I present a shooting drill that is outstanding in terms of hockey IQ, head-up speed, and of course packed with skating and finishing challenges.

Who is the drill for?
* U21 Elite + Pro teams

How many players are needed?
* Minimum 18 players + 2–3 goaltenders

Drill Overview
This is a technical-tactical drill that is highly demanding. It requires maximum focus, strong individual skill, timing, and the ability to read the play.

17/02/2026

Dear friends,

I took a few days off recently because I was ill—actually I still am—but today I’m back with a new drill, and I truly hope you’ll like it.
This drill is highly complex and requires advanced skill levels, because the exercise itself not only develops these skills but also demands them. After several repetitions, there is a great opportunity to focus on details and ex*****on.

Target Group

* U18 Elite and higher
* Semi pro
* Pro

Number of Players

* Optimal: 16–18 players

Goaltenders

* Two goalies are sufficient for this drill

Objective of the Drill

Head speed is a major theme in this exercise. It’s not only about the ability to receive and make passes, but about already anticipating the next play and movement before the puck arrives.

10/02/2026

Dear hockey friends,

Another DRILLDOCTOR drill is here, and as always, I hope you’ll like it.

About the Drill
* The drill itself is built—alongside other skills such as skating—on the foundation of an excellent pass. I deliberately speak about each individual pass, because every single one is crucial.
* It is primarily a shooting drill, but it also incorporates tactical elements such as neutral-zone buildup, puck transfer, and the intentional slowing down or accelerating of the game.
* I emphasize changes of tempo deliberately. These are elements we don’t see often enough today, and I am convinced they will return sooner or later. Modern hockey is often played at a pace that resembles paintball—constant speed. But the ability to slow the play, accelerate, and surprise the opponent has always been part of the game and certainly will be again.
* The drill contains many adjustable elements. Every coach can modify or adapt it according to team needs and practice goals.

Possible Upgrades / Variations
* The flow of the drill can be marked on the ice with cones.
* For example, after the second pass to the opposite group, the receiving player can be required to cut to the middle lane, initiating the next phase from the center of the ice.
* Another option is to require that player to shoot or dump the puck across all lines, tactically incorporating hybrid icing situations and encouraging greater skating intensity.
* After the first shot, the shooter can be integrated as a backchecker or defender, or the drill can transition into a 2-on-0 situation, where he supports the second shooter according to the coach’s instructions.
* The drill naturally offers many further progressions and variations.

06/02/2026

DRILLDOCTOR – February 6, 2026

In this edition, we’ll look at how to integrate a breakout sequence into a shooting drill. It’s a truly unconventional variation, one that I haven’t seen used by other coaches so far.

What is the drill about?

This drill focuses on the basic principles of a breakout under no pressure in the defensive zone, a penetrating (stretch) pass, and also a puck transfer from the strong side to the weak side. At the same time, every player involved finishes with a shot.
It’s a highly creative drill with clear structure and key reference points. Right at the start of practice, players are mentally engaged — they must rely on their instincts, while also reading and understanding the flow of the play that the drill represents.

Who is the drill for?

* Recommended primarily for U18 and above
* This is an elite-level drill in terms of understanding and game application
* Requires 2 goaltenders and approximately 12–18 players
* Workload can be adjusted depending on practice goals
The drill is intentionally designed so that the opposite side can start quickly, meaning that at certain moments 5–6 players are active simultaneously, keeping tempo high.

04/02/2026

DRILLDOCTOR – February 4, 2026

In today’s edition, we turn the page and introduce a drill that not every player will enjoy — but it is extremely important for player development. Not only from a technical and conditioning standpoint, but above all for mental growth — learning how to bite down and push through discomfort.

Target Group
* Recommended for U18 and older

Key Elements of the Drill
* Crossovers
* Power skating
* Shooting
* Backchecking

Work Duration
* Approx. 12–15 seconds�(naturally adjusted based on age group and level)

Repetitions
* Each player should complete both groups, which for me personally equals 10–12 reps, followed by a side change
* Total workload: 20–24 repetitions

02/02/2026

DRILLDOCTOR

Wow — you’re really going to like this drill. Let’s get into it!

Target Group
* U20 Elite
* Semi-pro
* Pro

Objectives of the Drill

* Shooting development
* Spatial awareness
* Active edge work (forward & backward skating)
* Passing accuracy
* Controlled breakout / transition through the neutral zone
* Long pass over a defender, almost to the blue line, followed by a give-and-go / touch pass into stride

Personnel Requirements

* Minimum 18 players
* Ideally 3 goaltenders (high shooting volume)
* Minimum 1 coach, optimal is 3 coaches (to apply spatial pressure)

Drill Variations / Upgrades

* There are several options, although personally I would keep progressions minimal to preserve flow and tempo.