Defenseman Escape & Transition Drill
A no-frills three-cone pattern that hardwires clean pivots, confident escapes, and controlled attacks off the rush — exactly what defensemen need under pressure.
From: Jeremy Szczurek of First Shift Hockey (Instagram | Facebook)
A straightforward, repeatable footwork circuit that reinforces the ability to pivot cleanly, escape pressure, and transition with control.
🎯 Skills Targeted:
Transition footwork for defensemen
Forward-to-backward pivots
Body control through escapes and tight turns
📕 What You’ll Learn:
Escape over each shoulder while maintaining vision
Linking transitions together with control—like you actually would as a defenseman recovering, gapping up, or reversing play
💡 Why Work On This:
Defensemen live in transition—forward to backward, backward to forward, shoulder checks, escapes, and resets.
This drill forces those mechanics in a simple, controlled pattern you can loop over and over.
Even forwards who want better edge control and evasion footwork benefit from this sequence.
🛠️ Equipment Needed:
3 cones + 1 puck
Enough space to loop reps
A net to finish your rep with a shot
*Full drill description, tips, and optional variations below the video.
🎥 VIDEO: Escape & Transition Drill
🎥 Want the full breakdown, teaching cues, and add-on variations?
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