PassingFundamentals

Basic Passing Accuracy Drill

A flat, accurate pass that lands on the tape is a skill that has to be practiced deliberately — this drill isolates the stationary pass before adding any movement.

Age RangeAges 9+
Duration10 minutes
Group SizePairs
SportHockey

Equipment Needed

  • Pucks
  • Sticks

Keep pucks moving

A bulk bag of practice pucks keeps passing-accuracy reps flowing through the whole line.

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Setup

  • Partners stand 10–15 feet apart, facing each other, one puck per pair.
  • Both players start with their stick blade on the ice, ready to receive.
Basic Passing Accuracy DrillABPartners 10–15 ft apart, one puckFlat, accurate pass along the ice; soft hands to receive

Instructions

  1. Passer sweeps the puck flat along the ice toward their partner's stick.
  2. Receiver gives slightly with the stick on contact to "soft hands" the puck and control it.
  3. Pass back and forth, taking a step back after every 8–10 clean passes.
  4. Focus on flat, accurate passes rather than hard, forced ones.
Coaching Points
  • Keep the pass flat along the ice — a puck that hops or flips is much harder for a partner to receive cleanly.
  • Follow through toward the target with the stick blade, the same way a good throw follows through toward its target.
  • "Soft hands" on the receiving end (giving slightly with the stick) absorbs the pass and keeps the puck under control.
  • Accuracy over power at this stage; a well-placed soft pass beats a hard, wild one.

Variation

Add a short skate before receiving to practice passing to a moving target, or increase distance gradually as accuracy holds up.