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In this edition of Practice Like a PRO 4.0, our teammate Mitch Giguere shares five dynamic drills designed to activate your players, sharpen details, and drive repetition—no matter what level you coach. Each drill includes video and visual support, so you can implement them right away.
We’re back with more drills, more videos, and more ways to level up your practices. The truth is, whether you're coaching pros or youth players, the difference is in the details and the reps. Check out the five latest drills—each one comes with full diagrams and video breakdowns so you can bring them to the ice right away.
If you're not a member yet, use the code GIGUERE to get 20% OFF your subscription. With a full year of access to CoachThem, you’ll have every drill and video right at your fingertips—completely free with your membership.
Each drill comes with a video—just click on the drill graphic to watch.
This one’s not hard. It’s a quick activation that gets players skating and feeling the puck. The player must make three moves and pass back to the line for a shot. In the video, you’ll see players using different variations to work their edges.
Sometimes, as coaches, we try to pack too much into a drill and lose sight of its purpose. This drill might seem simple, but you can tweak it—like having your defensemen come from a different angle. From the forward's side, the goal is to run interference with the defenceman and look for space to open up.
Who hasn’t done this drill before? It’s a classic—whether you’re getting players going or pushing them a bit. You can easily tweak it: set a time limit before switching, count shots, or track puck touches.
Part 2 is for when you want to add more competition in tight spaces. Move the net onto the dot and let the players battle. They’ll have fun with this one.
I can promise you—this one’s going into my training camp next season. I’ve got so many ideas for this drill, and I love it. It lets you work on your offensive zone concept without overthinking. Play low, play high, attack the net, and focus on net presence—those are the keys.
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June 12, 2025
Written by Mitch Giguere in collaboration with the CoachThem Team
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Take your practices to the next level with Practice Like a PRO 4.0 by our teammate Mitch Giguere. Get pro-level drills, detailed activations, small area games, and video access for every coaching level. Save 20% with code GIGUERE!
Take your practices to the next level with Practice Like a PRO 3.0 by our teammate Mitch Giguere. Get pro-level drills, detailed activations, small area games, and video access for every coaching level. Save 20% with code GIGUERE!
Learn three effective ice hockey drills from a SPHL coach that develop faster puck support, defensive play termination, and offensive transitions for all skill levels.