Toe drags and dekes

Setup

1. Full equipment for everyone: helmet with full cage, mouthguard, neck guard, gloves, pads and skates. The goaltender is in full goalie gear.
2. Three cones in a line through the middle of the neutral zone, about two stick lengths apart.
3. Skaters line up with pucks at their own blue line. One player stands as a passive defender (X1) inside the far blue line; rotate this job every few reps.

How it runs

1. The first skater carries to the first cone and toe-drags round it: reach the puck out to the forehand, cup it with the toe of the blade and pull it back across the body.
2. They toe-drag round each cone, alternating sides, keeping their feet moving.
3. At X1 they show a move to one side, pull the puck the other way and skate past. X1 uses the stick only, no body contact.
4. They shoot from the top of the circle once the goaltender is set and has called ready, then pick up a puck from the boards and rejoin the line.
5. Next skater goes when the one ahead passes the last cone. The goaltender clears rebounds from the crease between reps.

Coaching points

• Soft hands: hold the stick in the fingers, top hand loose.
• Cup the puck with the blade closed over it as it comes across.
• Eyes up between cones; feel the puck instead of staring at it.
• Sell the fake with the head and shoulders, not just the stick.

Common mistakes

• Stopping the feet to do the move.
• Pulling the puck too close so it hits the skates.
• Starting the deke too near X1, leaving no room to get past.