Top Hockey Drills of January 2026

Every week, coaches are exposed to new hockey drills on social media. Instagram, in particular, has become a major source of drill ideas through short clips and quick breakdowns. But seeing a drill and actually using it in practice are two very different things.

In January 2026, several hockey drills stood out because coaches saved them, ran them on the ice, and reused them across multiple practices. These drills showed up consistently in youth hockey, high school, and junior practices because they were simple to set up, easy to adapt for different age levels and effective when reused throughout the season. Below are the top hockey drills from January 2026, all organized inside the CoachThem Marketplace, where coaches can save, edit, and build full practice plans around them.

The most popular hockey drills focused on skating efficiency, puck control in tight spaces, quick decision-making, and compete-based small-area games. Coaches favored drills with high repetition, simple setups, and clear game transfer.

Each drill was featured on CoachThem Instagram and is available for free inside the CoachThem Marketplace, with optional PRO tools for hockey practice planning and organization.

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

Drill #1: Double Zero

Drill of the Week: January 6, 2026

Created by: @jacksonhky

The Double Zero drill quickly became one of the most saved hockey drills of the month because it combines skating deception with constant puck movement. Players are forced to stay in motion, control the puck on their edges, and change direction without slowing down.

Coaches liked this drill because it delivers a high number of quality reps with very little setup time. It works well early in practice and can be progressed throughout the season by adjusting speed, spacing, or adding pressure.

Why coaches used it

Develops deceptive skating patterns
Forces puck control through continuous movement
Simple setup with high repetition

Best for: U11+

Primary focus: Edgework, puck protection, deception

Available in the CoachThem Marketplace (PRO subscription required)

Drill #2: Quick Start Direction Change

Drill of the Week: January 13, 2026

Created by: @woltz55

This drill focused on one of the most important skating skills in hockey: the first three strides. Players work on explosive starts, quick stops, and immediate direction changes, which translates directly to puck races, forechecks, and defensive recoveries.

Many coaches used this both as a warm-up drill and a skill station, making it easy to fit into practices at any level.

Why coaches used it

Trains explosive first steps
Reinforces strong skating mechanics
Works as both a warm-up and skill station

Best for: All levels

Primary focus: Acceleration, agility, direction changes

Available in the CoachThem Marketplace (PRO subscription required)

Drill #3: Lightning Game

Drill of the Week: January 17, 2026

Created by: @alliance_hockey

The Lightning Game stood out as one of the most effective small-area hockey drills of the month. It creates scoring situations in a tight space that require players to make quick decisions under pressure.

Coaches appreciated how little explanation the drill required. Players understood it quickly, competed hard, and stayed engaged throughout the rep.

Why coaches used it

Game-like scoring and decision-making
High compete level in a small-area setting
Keeps players engaged with minimal explanation

Best for: U9+

Primary focus: Read-and-react play, competitiveness

Available in the CoachThem Marketplace (PRO subscription required)

Drill #4: Technical Power and Skills

Drill of the Week: January 21, 2026

Created by: @powerplushockey

This drill blends power skating mechanics with puck skills, making it a strong option for practices where coaches want to maximize ice usage and repetitions. Players work on stride efficiency, body positioning, and puck control at speed.

Coaches liked that the drill was easy to progress week to week without needing to redesign the entire setup.

Why coaches used it

Combines power skating with puck skills
Efficient use of ice and repetitions
Easy to progress across multiple practices

Best for: U11+

Primary focus: Power skating, puck control

Available in the CoachThem Marketplace (PRO subscription required)

Drill #5: Puck Control On FO Circle

Drill of the Week: January 28, 2026

Created by: @freddycoach

This drill emphasizes puck control in tight spaces, using the faceoff circle as a natural boundary. Players are encouraged to use their edges, protect the puck, and scan the ice while under light pressure.

Coaches valued this drill for its long-term usefulness. It can be run with beginners or adapted for older players by increasing pace or adding defenders.

Why coaches used it

Builds confidence in tight spaces
Encourages creativity and awareness
Simple drill with long-term value

Best for: All levels

Primary focus: Puck control, edges, spatial awareness

Available in the CoachThem Marketplace (PRO subscription required)

Follow Drills of the Week

Each drill listed above was shared on the CoachThem Instagram. Coaches follow along to:

Discover new hockey drills weekly
Learn from coaches around the world
Find drills they can run the same day

Then they organize everything inside CoachThem.

Frequently Asked Questions

What age groups are these hockey drills best for?

These hockey drills were used across multiple levels, including youth hockey, high school, and junior programs. Each drill can be adjusted by changing space, pace, or player count to fit different age and skill levels.

Do I need CoachThem PRO to access these drills?

Yes. CoachThem PRO gives you full unlimited access to thousands of drills available in the Marketplace.

Can these drills be reused throughout the season?

Yes. These drills stood out because coaches reused them across multiple practices. They are designed to hold up over time and can be progressed by increasing speed, adding pressure, or adjusting constraints.

Where did these hockey drills come from?

Each drill was originally shared as a Drill of the Week on Instagram by coaches from around the world. They were later organized inside the CoachThem Marketplace so coaches could easily find and use them again.

How do coaches typically use these drills in practice?

Most coaches use these drills as part of their regular practice flow, as warm-ups, skill stations, or small-area games. Inside CoachThem, coaches often drop them directly into full practice plans and reuse them week to week.