Rim the Puck Around the Boards
Clearing
Legend
- player
- coach / parent
- ball
- movement path
How it works
Teach young players to rim a puck along the boards to clear it from the defensive zone.
What you need
- hockey stick
- puck
- ice
Your focus
Rimming the puck is the simplest and most reliable zone-clearing technique for young players, requiring no complex passing read or power. Building the habit of using the boards to move the puck under pressure reduces turnovers in the defensive zone. Early success with this technique builds confidence in defensive zone situations.
Place a puck in the corner and start at the goal line.
Skate to the corner and rim the puck along the boards from the corner all the way to the far blue line.
Retrieve the puck and return to the goal line.
Repeat 3 times, then switch to rimming from the other corner.
Goal
You've got it when the puck travels all the way around the boards past the far blue line without coming off the glass.
Helpful cues
- Aim for the boards, the boards are your best teammate
- Follow through toward the blue line
- Use the heel of your blade for a stronger rim
Adjust the challenge
Make it easier
Strip it back
Allow players to stop the puck first, then rim it with no pressure
UpLVL it
Add the next challenge
Add a simulated forechecker who closes on the player as they receive the puck, forcing a quicker rimNo account needed
Build a practice plan
Add drills, keep the plan in this browser, then share a link with your staff or parents.This library helps you find the right drill. Inside UpLVL the right drill finds the player.
This library helps you find the right drill. Inside UpLVL the right drill finds the player.After every practice, UpLVL automatically surfaces the drills each player needs to work on most. See it for yourself.