Face-Off Drill: The Sequence

This drill is a great way to nail down face-off setups, no matter which zone you’re in

By Jeremy Weiss, Director, Weiss Tech Hockey Schools

This exercise works on any type of face-off. Here are 3 quick options:

1. Set up a set face-off play with no defenders
2. Try a set face-off play with defenders’ sticks turned upside down (blades up, handles down)
3. Run a set face-off play with defenders’ sticks turned the right way; 5 on 5 controlled scrimmage

Run this face-off drill to work on just about any type of face-off. The idea is pretty simple: Start with everyone knowing what they’re supposed to do, then gradually make things harder. Because, as we all know, it’s easy to look like a genius when nobody is trying to stop you.

Start with no defenders. Set up the face-off play and run it a few times without opposition. Everyone gets to learn where they’re supposed to go and what happens after the puck is dropped. This is also a good time to make sure everyone actually knows the play.

Add defenders with their sticks upside down. Blades up, handles down. The defenders can skate around and get in the way, but they can’t actually play the puck. Now there’s some pressure without turning the drill into a yard sale.

Then go live. Turn the sticks around and run the play in a controlled 5-on-5 scrimmage. Now we find out who remembers the play—and who suddenly has no idea what the coach was talking about.

Run it from different face-off spots. Winning the draw is important, but knowing what to do next is where the real value of the face-off comes in.

Jeremy Weiss, owner/director of Weiss Tech Hockey Schools, offers development camps, private lessons, team consulting, and coaching instruction to players of all levels. For more information visit his Hockey Drills and Skills blog, Weiss Tech Hockey.

Stay tuned for more hockey drills you can really use!