Fullback Puck Possession

Fullback Puck Possession is a great puck protection drill from NewEdge Hockey that helps players practice using the net to take away an opponent's attack lane. The drill also allows a player to practice awareness by keeping their head up and edgework by executing tight turns and cutbacks.

Setup

• The rules for this drill are simple; set up as shown (with two nets), coach passes to far d-man to start the drill and attacker pursues.
• D-man puck carrier must choose to go around left or right net and attacker has to follow. After that, the attacker is allowed to cut back (not follow) 1 time per lap (attacker cannot cut back and then cut back again).
• Puck carrier can cut back on attacker's cut back but must continue figure 8 path from there.

Coaching Points

• Keep head up & use peripheral vision to see where the attacker is. Awareness is critical for the puck carrier as he needs to know if the attacker cut back versus continued his pursuit. 
• Stay tight to the net to protect the puck.

Variations

• If you have a goalie, the coach can blow a whistle after a couple of laps and the player with the puck can attack the net for a shot attempt.
• Can allow the defender 2 cutbacks per lap instead of 1.
• Can use this setup as a game of tag (without a puck) for younger age levels.