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In this edition of Practice Like a PRO 5.1, with our teammate Mitch Giguere, we continue our 4-part offseason series with five position-specific drills inspired by Team Canada U20. Each drill is designed to sharpen skills through realistic, competitive scenarios - whether it’s puck movement, forechecking, or crease control.
With detailed breakdowns for forwards (F), defensemen (D), and goaltenders (G), these drills help players train with purpose and build habits that translate directly to game situations. Each drill comes with video and visual support so you can implement them right away - on your own, with teammates, or alongside your coaching staff.
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!
1. Practice Like A Pro 5.1 – PSD Surf To Transition
Surfing is a huge part of today’s game. Defensemen must learn how to surf and stay efficient with the puck after the play. In this drill, you start with a transition move, using deception, then immediately close the gap and attack the coach by surfing. The goal is to maintain speed, steal the puck, and either make a play or join the rush. It’s all about fluidity from defense to offense.
2. Practice Like A Pro 5.1 – PSD Surround The Puck Shooting
Shooting straight from the blue line can feel repetitive, but this is where technique matters most. This drill focuses on "surrounding the puck": getting your body and stick into a threatening shooting position. The goal is to be ready to shoot or make a play at any moment. Start with clean reps, then add token pressure to simulate game-like conditions. Eventually, introduce pressure right from the beginning to push your players.
3. Practice Like A Pro 5.1 – PSF Loose Puck Pickups
This drill creates 50/50 puck battles in a controlled area, no coaches needed. Just drop the puck like a faceoff and let the battle begin. The key? Body positioning. Size doesn’t matter here, understanding how to use your body does. It’s simple, competitive, and incredibly effective.
4. Practice Like A Pro 5.1 – PSF Jumping The D Forecheck
The board battle has always been a critical part of the game, but we don’t practice it enough. This drill focuses on individual skills during the forecheck. Players work on beating the defenseman to the puck along the boards, then maintaining body position and attacking the net. It’s gritty, realistic, and game-relevant.
5. Practice Like A Pro 5.1 – PSG The Anchor Drill
At first glance, this drill may sound confusing since I don’t speak the same language as the goalie coach, but it’s all about control. The goalie must stay centered within the crease, exaggerating their movements to reinforce strong positioning. The goal is to anchor properly and return to center after every movement. It’s the foundation of efficient goaltending.
We hope you enjoyed these drills and insights from Mitch Giguere! If there’s something specific you’d like to see in future updates, feel free to share it in the comments.
Looking for more personalized guidance? Book a 1-on-1 session with Mitch HERE. (scroll down the page to book through a Calendly link)
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Written by Mitch Giguere
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Sharpen your players’ skills with Practice Like a PRO 5.1 from our Teammate Mitch Giguere. Five position-specific drills from Team Canada U20 with video and visuals to use right away.
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