The Wall Pick-Up Drill — Build Clean Possession & Offensive Pace
Elite players don’t just retrieve pucks — they turn wall touches into offense.
By Jeremy Szczurek of First Shift Hockey (Instagram | Facebook)
In this week’s skill development feature, we break down a foundational skill every player needs to master: clean puck pick-ups off the wall at speed.
So many possessions die along the boards simply because players mishandle the first touch. At higher levels, the first touch is the play — and if you can collect pucks cleanly, accelerate off the wall, and attack middle ice, you immediately control the pace.
This drill trains players to retrieve, load, and explode into space with purpose.
🎯 Skills Targeted:
Clean puck retrievals under pressure
Forehand + backhand wall pick-ups
Footwork timing & body orientation
Inside-edge loading to exit with speed
Turning dead pucks into clean possession
📕 What You’ll Learn:
How to pick up pucks cleanly off both sides (FH/BH)
How to keep feet moving through contact points
How to angle the body for immediate attack options
🧠 Why Work On Wall Pick-Ups:
The boards are where most touches happen — rim retrievals, chips, reverses, and chaos pucks.
If a player can’t cleanly grab pucks off the wall at speed, they:
Kill breakouts
Lose offensive momentum
Get trapped on the boards
Give defenders easy gap control
But when they can retrieve cleanly, they become a possession engine.
Clean retrievals → clean offense.
*Full drill description, tips, and optional variations below the video.
🎥 VIDEO: "Wall Pick-Ups at Speed" — Collect, Load, Attack
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The Wall Pick-Up Drill
✍️ Wall Pick-Up Drill Description:
Line up 3–5 pucks flat along the wall (just above goal line or hashmarks).
Player starts two strides off the boards.
Coach stands with additional pucks to rim or toss.
Full speed reps preferred.
How It Works
1. Approach With Speed
The player skates downhill toward the wall — no gliding.
2. Pick Up Both Sides (Forehand + Backhand)
Jeremy’s key cue: “Don’t stop your feet.”
Players pick the puck up on both sides so they can handle a rim on their forehand and backhand with ease.
3. Load Inside Foot + Drive Off Wall
After collecting, players drive off the wall with two strong acceleration strides.
4. Attack Middle Ice
Don’t get stuck skating into the boards: Players explode to the middle, head up, preparing to shoot or pass.
5. Repeat With Multiple Pucks
Work forehand, backhand, reverse side, and rimmed pucks.
📌 Coaching Cues
Don’t let players stop their feet on retrieval
Hands away from body for cleaner touches
Backhand pickups must be as clean as forehand ones
Rims → angle body early
Shoulders square to middle ice on exit
Finish every rep into an attack (shot, pass, cut-up ice)
🔧 Variations
Rim: Coach rims pucks at different speeds.
Chase Pressure: Add a trailing defender closing the gap.
Pop to Middle: Player must receive, cut inside, and shoot.
Reverse Retrieval: Start facing up-ice and pivot into pickup.
One-Touch Pass: After retrieval, hit a target in the slot