Wall Play, Escape & Timing Drill
Winning puck battles off the wall is only half the job—what you do next determines whether a scoring chance actually gets created.
From: Brandon Rubeo of Quest Hockey and the Hockey Players Club
This skill development sequence focuses on a moment players see constantly in games: receiving a rimmed puck along the wall, escaping pressure, and turning possession into offense.
Instead of forcing plays, players are encouraged to escape, get their head up, and make the next play with purpose—often under pressure and with limited time.
🎯 Skills Targeted:
Rimmed puck reception off the wall
Cut-backs and puck protection
Soft saucer pass
Catch-and-release finishing
Timing net drives off the puck
💡 Why Work On This:
Many turnovers happen immediately after wall touches, not on initial retrievals.
Escaping pressure buys time and improves decision-making.
Soft plays (chips and sauce passes) are often the high skill play needed in tight areas.
Proper timing off the puck turns simple wall plays into quality scoring chances.
🛠️ Equipment Needed:
Net
Multiple pucks
One end of the ice (corner setup in this example)
Coach or passer near the net
*Full drill description, tips, and optional variations below the video.
🎥 VIDEO: Plays off the Wall
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Drill Details & Coaching Points
✍️ Drill Description:
Set-Up:
First player starts along the wall and receives a rimmed puck.
Second player lines up high in the slot, timing their movement toward the net.
Coach or teammate stands in the corner with pucks.
Sequence Breakdown:
Wall Retrieval & Escape
First skater receives the rimmed puck and immediately escapes by turning toward the wall.
Emphasis is on gaining possession before scanning the ice.
Head Up & Play Creation
Once the puck is under control, the player gets their head up and finds the next skater attacking from the slot.
Depending on setup, this may require a soft sauce pass to get over a stick or obstacle, such as demonstrated in the video above.
Timing & Finish
Second skater times their route to the net—not too early, not too late—and finishes with their head up.
Follow Play & Second Chance
After making the pass, the first skater delays slightly, follows the play, and receives a second puck from the coach for a shot on their way to the net.
📌 Tips for Success:
Turn toward the wall as a form of puck protection.
Soft hands on sauce passes—pace matters more than power.
Time net drives—arriving at the right moment beats arriving fast.
Shoot with your head up—accuracy beats velocity in tight.
🧩 Optional Changes or Add-Ons:
No reverse: Force players down the wall instead of back up.
Flat pass option: Replace the sauce with a firm flat pass depending on pressure.
Give-and-go variation: After the pass, first skater re-engages as X1 for a return play.
Add defensive pressure: Introduce a passive or active defender to challenge decisions.
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