Some Small Area Games to use with your 8U and Younger
U8 Gretzky Game
At the younger levels passing and playing with your head up is always an issue. Put in constraints, such as this game, to improve awareness, passing and give-n- go scenarios. 3 v3 with Player 1 behind the opponents net. That area behind the net is a Safe Zone (no one else can go there), and to score you must pass to Player 1 first before shooting.
Canada Cup (or Stanley Cup) Game
Incorporate your coaches as the coach for each team. Goalie in the crease. Players must pass to their respective coach on their side before shooting. This gains them possession of the puck. Transitions from Offense to Defense once a team passes to their teams coach.
What Time is it Mr Wolf?
Play this Game in One Zone with a Coach (or Player) as the Wolf.
His back will be turned towards the boards (hiding his sight) as players are up at the blueline and call out in unison “What time is it Mr Wolf?”, as they slowly skate towards the end boards. The Wolf responds with a made up time as he turns his face to the skaters. When the Wolf responds with LUNCH TIME, a game of tag ensues
Basic Cross Ice Game
Use any number combination for this age group that works and prevents the players from standing around for too long. Shrink the space to increase puck touches and the shifts to 45 seconds to 1 minute. Play begins by a loose puck sent out by the coach and players attack the far net, defending the net closest to them. Whistle blows, new puck comes out for the next group to play with, and players who were involved with the last shift race to the back of the line for their respective teams.
By Andrew Trimble
Andrew is the GM/ Co- Owner of the New England Wolves- www.ne-wolveshockey.com and Scoring Concepts- www.scoringconcepts.com
To purchase Andrew’s new book follow this link here- The Hockey Planner: A Year by Year Plan to Assist You on Your Hockey Coaching Journey: From Learn to Play to Junior Hockey: Trimble, Andrew: 9781963743395: Amazon.com: Books
