Hockey Practice Plans for Kids
Ice is expensive and precious, so youth hockey practice can't have kids leaning on the boards. Coach Coach builds station-based sessions that keep every skater moving, handling the puck, and getting reps.
Hockey practice plans by age
Every age is different. Pick your group for age-appropriate drills, structure, and a ready-to-run sample plan.
What to work on in youth hockey
Edges, starts, stops, and crossovers — the foundation of everything, built through movement games.
Stickhandling reps for every player, taught through fun obstacle-style drills.
Partner passing and shooting stations so no one waits for a turn.
Cross-ice and small-area games pack in touches, battles, and fun.
Gear: Full gear, sticks, plenty of pucks, cones, and nets for small-area games.
A sample hockey practice plan
Here's a real plan Coach Coach generated for a youth hockey team. Yours is tailored to your age group and what you want to work on.
🏆 Hockey Practice — Ages 9-10 — 60 min
⏱️ Warmup (10 min)
- Sharks and Minnows on Ice — Set up a space with cones marking boundaries. Choose 2 "sharks" and have the rest as "minnows". Minnows skate from one end to the other avoiding sharks. If tagged, they become sharks. Keeps everyone moving and having fun while warming up.
🎯 Skill Work (30 min)
- Puck Control Obstacle Course (15 min) — Set up a course with cones. Each kid dribbles the puck through the course, focusing on keeping their heads up and maintaining control. Coaching cue: “Keep your head up and stick on the ice!” Success is smooth puck handling through the course.
- Passing Pairs (15 min) — Pair up kids and have them pass the puck back and forth while skating slowly. Encourage accurate passing and receiving. Coaching cue: “Soft hands, aim for your partner’s stick!” Success is consistent passes and good communication between partners.
🏃 Game Time (15 min)
- 3v3 Mini-Games — Split the group into four teams and play two simultaneous 3v3 games in the rink’s corners. Rotate teams every few minutes. Keep it fast and fun, with lots of puck touches. Look for teamwork and passing.
🧊 Wrap Up (5 min)
- Team Cheer and Quick Chat — Gather the team, do a cheer, and ask, “What’s one new thing you learned today?” End with high-fives all around.
🎒 What to Bring
- 12 cones · 12 pucks · 12 sticks · 12 pinnies
- Set up the ice with cones for the warmup and obstacle course ahead of time.
📋 Coach's Cheat Sheet
- “Keep your head up and stick on the ice!”
- “Soft hands, aim for your partner’s stick!”
- Common mistake: Kids looking down at the puck. Gently remind them to keep their heads up.
- Praise loudly when you see a good pass or teamwork during games.
✅ Coach Coach Check
- Every kid gets touches in every drill
- No standing in long lines
- Includes at least one small-sided game
- Age-appropriate intensity and fun included
Coach your best practice tonight
Tell Coach Coach your age group and what to work on. Get a complete hockey practice in under 30 seconds — free.
Build your hockey planHockey practice questions
How do I make the most of limited ice time?
Use stations and cross-ice setups. Divide the ice into zones so multiple small groups drill at once — every skater gets far more touches than in full-ice drills.
What should young hockey players focus on first?
Skating, always. Strong edges and balance underpin every other skill. Build puck handling on top once kids are comfortable moving.
Are small-area games good for youth hockey?
Yes — cross-ice and small-area games give kids more puck touches, battles, and decisions per minute than full-ice play, and they're a blast.