1 Hour Skill Session Practice Plan Template
Standard for All Levels with a Team or Teams of Players
1 Hour Skill Session Practice Plan- Standard for All Levels with a Team or Teams of Players
Make sure you communicate the plan prior to getting on the ice with your coaches, so that they can set up the stations
60-59 min- Pull the Players in for a brief intro
59-45min- Line Drills - Powerskating or Puck Skills- Emphasis on technique and fundamental skills with high number of repetitions for a set period of time
45-40 min- Partner skills - Teach a specific skill (skating, puck skills etc) with 2-3 skaters performing the drill as your coaches begin to set up the stations for the meat and potatoes of the practice
39-15min- 4-6 preset stations that your coach will run. These drills will reinforce the Line Drills from earlier in the practice and hone in on the skills being taught for the night. Have a rotation of the stations set in mind and make sure it is clearly articulated to the coaches in the stations so that they can keep it moving.
15min- 2 min- Fun and Small Area games. Younger kids focus on races and competitive, fun activities. Older kids bring a small area game or two and have the coaches set up the games quickly after the stations as you explain the rules of the game to the players on the ice
2min- End - Reward the kids on a job well done, communicate some positives from the session. Have them all pick up a set amount of pucks.
Using a template like this allows coaches to maximize the puck touches and reduces time standing around.
Head Coach should be skating around during the stations and giving tips and feedback to all the athletes as they do the drills
Always finish with something memorable or fun so that the kids can be excited for your next session
Allow them to get a brief water break after the line drills and after the stations.