Stealing Practice Ideas From The Montreal Canadiens
The 'Rondo' and Switching Handedness
In a recent behind-the-scenes video with the Montreal Canadiens, we got a glimpse into one of their practices. Two of the drills shown stood out as great ideas that youth coaches could easily adapt and use.
Rondo
First, we see a ‘Rondo’ (keep away /monkey in the middle). Players are on the outside of the circle, with one in the middle who is trying to gain possession or knock the puck out of the circle. Whichever player causes the loss of possession replaces the defender in the middle.
Coach note… (1) keep players tight to the circle as the players will often slide further away to give themselves more ease, and (20 build up the difficulty to one touch or adding a second defender.
Switching Handedness
Later on, players swap sticks to change their handedness. I’ve seen a few pro teams do this, and it’s always fun to watch the massive smiles on the players’ faces.
Coach note… switching handedness or adding more pucks for a player to control overloads their brain, and once they go back to their normal handedness, puck control seems easier.
Full behind-the-scenes video.
Here is the Columbus Blue Jackets doing something similar:
Two ideas for your next on-ice practice, especially during these dog days of the season. Cheers!
Further Reading