Half Ice Hockey Drills For Mites
Are you a coach of a mite hockey team? Do you want to improve your team's skills? In today's article, we will discuss half ice hockey drills that you can use to help your players develop important skills while having fun. These drills are perfect for mites, who are typically between the ages of five and eight. Let's get started!
Drill 1: Two-on-One
The two-on-one drill is a classic hockey drill that can help your players develop their passing and shooting skills. To set up the drill, divide your team into three groups: two forwards and one defenseman. One group starts at center ice, while the other two groups start at the blue lines.
When you blow the whistle, the center group starts skating towards the opposition's goal with the puck. The two groups at the blue lines then join in, with one player trying to defend against the two forwards. The forwards try to pass the puck to each other to set up a shot on goal. This drill helps players learn to pass and shoot quickly while under pressure.
Drill 2: The Four Corners Drill
If you want your players to work on their skating and puck control skills, try the four corners drill. Divide your team into four groups and have them line up in each corner of the rink. The first player from each group starts skating towards the center of the rink with the puck.
When they reach the center, they pass the puck to the next player in line and then skate to the back of their own line. The drill continues in this fashion until each player has had a turn with the puck.
The four corners drill helps players work on their skating, puck control, passing, and teamwork skills. It also gives them plenty of opportunities to practice their transitions and turns.
Drill 3: The Relay Race
The relay race is a fun and fast-paced drill that can help your players work on their speed and agility. Divide your team into two groups and have them line up on opposite sides of the rink. The first player from each group skates towards the center of the rink, where a cone is placed.
They skate around the cone and then race back to their own line to tag the next player in line. The relay continues in this fashion until all players have had a turn. The team that finishes first wins!
The relay race is a great way to get your players excited about practice while also helping them work on their skating and teamwork skills.
Drill 4: The Bulldog Drill
The bulldog drill is another classic hockey drill that can help your players improve their skating and puck control skills. To set up the drill, have one player start with the puck in the corner of the rink. The rest of the players line up at center ice.
When you blow the whistle, the player with the puck tries to skate to the opposite end of the rink without getting his or her puck stolen by the other players. If a player steals the puck, they become the bulldog and try to steal the puck from the other players.
This drill helps players work on their skating, puck control, and defensive skills. It also teaches them how to protect the puck while under pressure.
Drill 5: The Three-on-One
The three-on-one drill is similar to the two-on-one drill, but with an additional forward. To set up the drill, have one group start at center ice with the puck, while the other group starts at the blue line. When you blow the whistle, the center group skates towards the blue line with the puck.
The other group then joins in, with three players trying to defend against the one forward with the puck. The forwards try to pass the puck to each other to set up a shot on goal. This drill helps players learn to pass and shoot quickly while under pressure.
Conclusion
Half ice hockey drills are a great way to help mite players develop important skills while having fun. The two-on-one, four corners, relay race, bulldog, and three-on-one drills are just a few examples of the many drills you can use to help your team improve. Remember to keep the drills fun and engaging, and your players will be motivated to keep practicing and improving their skills.
