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Decision Making Warm Up - 4 Step Progression

Decision Making Warm Up - 4 Step Progression
By: Dwayne Blais

Players will be in and around the centre circle for a series of warm up progressions getting them familiar with some fundamental habits that are crucial to set them up to be able to make good decisions.

Step 1

  • Players randomly circulate in and around the centre circle. As the players circulate I want them focussing on being aware of pressure, and simply taking the puck away from it. This could mean moving the puck outside their feet or rounding the puck to create a puck protection scenario. Step 1 involves extremely low pressure from opposing players and focusses on players controlling the puck while maintaining awareness of other players in circle.

Step 2

  • Adding more pressure from opposing players in circle. Same focus as above but adding the extra layer of pressure will force players to work a little harder to keep control of the puck and protect it from slightly harder pressure while also maintaining awareness regarding the pressure directly close to them and the next set of pressure coming once they escape the close pressure.

Step 3

  • Remove a puck from one of the players. As they all skate in and around the circle the player without the puck is trying to steal a puck from any player with a puck. Once they steal it the player who lost their puck will circulate and try to take another puck. Players with puck can also add light stick pressure to other players with puck to try and force someone to lose control of their puck. 

Step 4

  • Multiple players moving in and around the circle same as above trying to protect puck while also adding light pressure to other players with puck. 3 or 4 players also move randomly around the outside of the circle and have 1 puck between them trying to read passing lanes and finding lanes to make plays either on the outside or through the middle of the circle avoiding the players inside the circle. 

Key Teaching Points

  • Eyes up
  • Hands away from body to help with puck control
  • Moving puck outside feet when protecting it
  • Focus on 1st layer of pressure to start and make decision to protect puck (move puck, move body, or both)
  • As you progress through, start to include awareness of 2nd layer of pressure and begin to become aware of puck protection on layer 1 and layer 2 of pressure
  • As progressions finish start to focus on making plays through and around pressure.