Training Camp Chronicles with Mitch Giguere: Part One

As per your request, the time has come to dive in. A big thank you to each of you who shared videos with me through social media, contributing to the creation of this 4-part series. I’m excited to share them all with you!

We have 11 diverse drills that are sure to capture your interest. While some may cover the fundamentals, the true distinction lies in the unique approaches to teaching and the intricacies woven into each.

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Training Camp 2023: 3v3 Full Ice & F4 Join The Defensive Team
 

 

It’s a regular 3v3 full ice, but the defensive team adds a player when the offensive team crosses the red line. Becoming a 3v4 in the offensive zone. Really good at working the transition from Dzone to Ozone. Supporting down low because of the odd-man and working your trackback.

 

Training Camp 2023: 3v3 NZ with a New Puck
 

 

Have you ever played that game in the neutral zone? The nets are behind the blue line to create more space in the neutral zone. When the puck goes behind the net, coaches are sending new ones. They can give it to a team and place it in an area. All the other players are waiting on the bench for a line change.

 

Training Camp 2023: Battle 1v1
 

 

Nothing fancy here, butt on butt with a coach behind them. The coach will throw a puck at the wall, and both players will fight for the puck. Body position will be the key in this drill. The player who got the puck can now attack the net.

 

Training Camp 2023: Battle 2v2 Small Area
 

 

Who has a coach who did that drill to pump up the intensity in practice? Try 2v2 inside a circle with the coach throwing the puck to create more chaos.

 

Training camp 2023: Battle Corner 2v1 & Trackback for a 2v1
 

 

Many drills this year at the rookie training camp involve a backcheck and counterattack. I’m loving it. For this drill, you start with a 2v1 from the wall. From there, forwards must track hard on the coach who took off. Steal the puck and counterattack off the rush. Now, creating a quick 2v1 off the rush.

 

Training Camp 2023: SAG 2v2 with Players in the Zone
 

 

This was one of the most popular viewed videos during this off-season. It's a small area game, 2v2, but add four other players to the zone. Drawing four circles on the ice, players cannot leave the circle; it’s creating a 4v2 on the offensive side.

 

Training Camp 2023: SAG 2v2 with Players on the Side
 

 

Another small area game with a 2v2. Both teams line up on the side, creating more options to move the puck and more shooters.

 

Training Camp 2023: SAG 2v2v2 with 2 Nets
 

 

My second favourite drill of the summer. Two nets in the zone, three different teams of two who are all working to get the puck and score a goal. If one team retrieves the puck and passes it back to their line, you can now add a third player.

 

Training Camp 2023: SAG 3v3 Inside the Pylons
 

 

No goalie? No problem! Players must carry the puck between the pylon placed on the ice to get a point. Coaches force them to protect and carry the puck to find the hole.

 

Training Camp 2023: Small Area Game 2v2 with Coaches
 

 

2v2 in the zone with one net. Both coaches are on the wall, players can make a pass to them, and the coaches pass it back.

 

This marks the initial part of your training camp, with 3 more drills to come. I look forward to connecting with you in the upcoming blog!

 

 

September 8, 2023

Blog by CoachThem Contributor, Mitch Giguere (Edited by Kelsey Dold)

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.

 

 

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