Call for the Puck Passing Game
Communication
Legend
- player
- partner / opponent
- ball
- movement path
How it works
Teach young players to call for the puck verbally before receiving a pass in a simple skating drill.
What you need
- hockey stick
- puck
- ice
Your focus
Communication habits built at young ages become automatic by the time competition pressure increases. Calling for the puck eliminates confusion, prevents collisions, and ensures the passer has a clear target. Players who communicate early become better teammates at every level.
Players skate in pairs, one with the puck.
The player without the puck must call their partner's name or say 'here!' before the passer can release the puck.
Passer holds the puck until they hear the verbal call, then passes.
Repeat up and down the ice; rotate who carries first each time.
Goal
You've got it when every single pass in the drill is only thrown after you've heard a teammate call for it first.
Helpful cues
- Call first, skate second
- Say it loud enough to hear over the ice noise
- Give your partner a target, tape to tape after the call
Adjust the challenge
Make it easier
Strip it back
Practice the call standing still before adding skating
UpLVL it
Add the next challenge
Add a third player who can also call, passer must choose the correct verbal call from two optionsNo 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.