Elevate Your Coaching with Drills, Tips, and PRO-Level Insights

We’re back with another drill-filled update from our Teammate Mitch Giguere, here to bring you more drills, new insights, and plenty of tools to help coaches level up their game. Let’s dive into his tips for making the most of your practice plans.



 

Mitch Giguere's Insight:
 

I’m back, bringing more drills every month, more consistency, and, as always, the goal of helping coaches in any way I can. Each drill comes with a video, making it easier for coaches to implement and for players to preview before practice. While most of the drills are accessible online and can be adapted to any level, one important tip I want to share: don’t feel pressured to replicate the drill exactly as shown in the video. For example, if you’re working on a neutral zone regroup, rush, or breakout, remember that just because the drill is executed a certain way in the video, it doesn’t mean you have to do it the same way. Build the drill around your team’s concept. If you’re coaching a younger group that’s still learning to surf, you can have them pivot instead, even if the video shows a surfing motion. The same goes for offensive zone concepts and more—adapt the drills to fit your team’s needs and abilities. Don’t feel like you have to follow the video exactly just because another team is doing it that way.

If you’re not a member yet, use the code GIGUERE to get 20% OFF your subscription. With a full year’s access to CoachThem, you'll have all the drills and videos at your fingertips, completely free!


Practice Like a PRO 1.0 – SAG 2v2




I love this drill so much because it’s not something you see every day but it’s something Pittsburgh does a lot. Different dimensions for the small area game and activating more players in the game. Transitioning quickly from defense to offense by adding a player after making a pass. Make them quick if you want a quick counterattack or take the time to add one more player and be 3x2.


Practice Like a PRO 1.0 – SAG 3v3 Box Out




Working on wall retrieval in the offensive zone is crucial. But what you are doing after is important as well. Releasing the pressure from a wall battle for a low to high is what we try to achieve in this drill. With some net battle with stick lifting, it’s a great drill for your compete level.


Practice Like a PRO 1.0 – NZ Activation Puck Protection




Please, tell me you never saw this drill before? One thing I’ve found out in the last 5 years at the professional level is. If you want the players to be challenged more and want to win more. Get all the coaches involved in the drill. You will pick up another step with the drill.


Practice Like a PRO 1.0 – Short Breakouts




Sometimes, we want to work x thing in practice, but we have a drill that does 25 different things at the same time and you basically, don’t really work on your need. This breakout drill works on absorbing the hit, quick support, outlet on the wall and middle. It’s a 5 to 7 second drill and you have a lot of repetitions.


Practice Like a PRO 1.0 – DZ Coverage 5v5

Nothing too crazy here but a little twist. Let’s start the drill with a 1v1 battle with a foot race. This is my first time seeing this and I will start implementing this in my own drill for sure. Like I said at the beginning, build this drill with your own dzone coverage and ozone concept.

______________________
 

We hope you enjoyed these drills and insights from Mitch Giguere! If there’s something specific you’d like to see in future updates, let us know in the comments. Looking for more personalized guidance? You can book a 1-on-1 session with Mitch here. 

CoachThem is your go-to sports coaching technology and drill planning software, helping teams stay organized with custom drills for coaches and an all-in-one athlete development platform. Whether you're using the best coaching apps for teams or searching for hockey training tools to enhance player performance, we've got you covered.

Use the coupon code GIGUERE for 20% off your subscription and take your coaching to the next level with team management software for coaches that makes practice planning seamless!

 

 

 

February 13, 2025

Written in collaboration with Teammate Mitch Giguere and the CoachThem Team

Mitch Giguere, ChPC, an assistant coach with the Wheeling Nailers in the ECHL, affiliated with the Pittsburgh Penguins and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. Mitch has his High Performance 2 from Hockey Canada, Advanced Coaching Diploma from the Canadian Sport Institute and is finishing his Learning Accelerator at the Canadian Sport Institute. You can follow his popular video breakdown on Social Media for more excellent hockey content.

 

Ditch the pen and paper! Sign up or log in to create professional digital drills in minutes.

Join CoachThem Rewards to earn money by referring other coaches and growing our coaching community!