Top Drills of the Year: The Most-Used, Most-Saved, Most-Game-Transfer Drills on CoachThem

Every coach wants practices that translate - drills that don’t just look good on a diagram, but drills that show up when the puck drops. This year, thousands of coaches used CoachThem to build smarter sessions, refine player habits, and create meaningful game-transfer.

From foundational skating patterns to decision-making progressions, these were the drills coaches returned to again and again. They became season staples. They shaped development. And they set the tone for where the game is going.

Below is a breakdown of the Top CoachThem Drills of the Year, complete with the creators who shared them and why these drills earned the highest engagement across the platform.

All drills with a green video icon include a video. Click on the drill graphic to watch.

1. Touch Pass, Open Up in Middle and Shoot

Coach: @power_stride_hockey

The most-watched drill of the year. This sequence blends touch passing, puck support, scanning, and shooting in stride - all wrapped into one clean progression. Coaches love the flow, players love the reps, and the habits transfer directly into offensive zone entries.

Why coaches loved it: Game-speed movement, built-in timing, and universal application across age groups.

2. Art of Defense: Choose Your Gap

Coach: CoachThem CEO, Mike Weaver

This drill focuses on a defender transitioning from puck movement into full-speed rush defense, requiring quick acceleration, controlled pivots around obstacles, and strong gap control against an attacking forward.

Why it's effective: It challenges defenders to match speed, stay square through pivots, and defend under pressure, helping build habits that translate directly to real-game transition and rush situations.

3. Edge Slides and Weight Shifts

Coach: @skate.toexcel

A skating staple. Coaches used this to sharpen balance, edge control, and quick transitions. It’s an ideal warmup or station drill because it demands strong mechanics without slowing down practice tempo.

Why coaches saved it: Players feel the improvement instantly.

4. 3 Quick Shots

Coach: @euro_elite_hockey

A high-tempo drill designed to boost shot readiness and touch-under-pressure. Quick releases, fast decisions, repeatable reps - perfect for any age group.

Why it stood out: Maximum touches in minimum time.

5. Find or Create the Passing Lane

Coach: @rr_playerdevelopment

This drill forces players to move with intent. Instead of waiting for a pass, players learn to support the puck, create options, and read pressure - a cornerstone of hockey IQ.

Why it resonated: It builds habits coaches constantly correct in games.

6. Four Cone Transitional Box Skate

Coach: @edge2edgehockey

A skating progression that hits transitions, agility, explosiveness, and edgework - all in one pattern. It’s simple for coaches to set up and invaluable for players to master.

Why it made the list: Every position benefits from stronger transitions.

7. Create Time And Space OZ Drill

Coach: @nextleveltrain

One of the most game-transfer-focused drills on the list. Players learn how to protect the puck, use their body to create separation, and attack off movement.

Why coaches loved it: Time and space are the currency of offense - this drill teaches players how to generate both.

8. 7-Pass

Coach: CoachThem (Featured Drill)

A continuous passing pattern emphasizing flow, timing, communication, and puck movement. This became a pre-practice and pre-game warmup favourite.

Why it stood out: It cleans up passing quickly - and players enjoy the rhythm.

9. 1 vs 1 Out of the Box Drill

Coach: @danny_hype

A deceptively simple battle drill blending speed, gap control, and pressure pursuit. It teaches players how to attack space and defend under pressure.

Why it performed: Controlled compete without sacrificing structure.

10. Receiving Passes From Tough Angles

Coach: @power_skating

This drill develops timing, edge control, and the ability to receive passes from difficult angles while transitioning quickly into a scoring position

Why it's effective: Skills that directly translate to game-speed offensive situations.

What These Drills Tell Us About Modern Coaching

Across all the data, three themes were impossible to ignore:

1. Game-transfer is the priority. Coaches want drills that look like the game: scanning, support, timing, pressure, decisions.

2. Simplicity beats complexity. The most effective drills were clear, fast, and high-rep - not complicated.

3. Creator-driven content is shaping development. Drills from real coaches outperform generic content every single time, confirming where CoachThem is headed with its marketplace and creator ecosystem.