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The Ice Hockey Coach Newsletter
Two DZ Exit Drills
Rachel & Jeff Flanagan
December 06, 2025
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MUSINGS FROM THE BENCH
This week we have a set of defensive zone exit drills. Lots happening here for us in Basingstoke and Toronto with the season in full swing!
Defensive Zone Exits - High DZ
F3 (Board Side Wing) Options
When the board side wing (F3) receives the puck, they have a few options available to them.
Option #1 - F2 Slash
First, F3 can chip the puck off the boards to space in the NZ. This gives F2, that is slashing out of the zone towards the puck side boards the opportunity to skate on to the puck with speed.
If your team employs the F2 slash, then this is a good option.
Option #2 - Net Front D
F3 can make a flat pass to the net front D who has moved up in the zone, level with F3. This relieves the downward pressure from the opposition D.
Option #3 - Flat Pass to Supporting Centre
F3 can make a short, flat pass to the low and slow centre that is supporting from underneath F3. This pass should be a short pass.
Supporting centre should be sure to not skate past F3 before they have the opportunity to make a play.
Option #4 - F2 Direct Exit from Net Front Position
If your team has F2 (Net Front Forward) leaving the zone in a straight line, F3 can make a flat pass to F2. This allows for a direct exit out of the middle of the zone.
Drill #1
Murray Agility - Wheel the Net
D backs to corner and gets puck from coach.
Wheel net and pass to F1. F2 skates from opposite side to support F1.
F1 passes to F2. F2 drives wide and shoots. F1 gets off wall and drives net.
F1 then attacks corner an passes puck low to high to D following play. D walks line and shoots.
Add in - D passes to middle support and who then passes to wall forward.
Add in - Forwards cross and drop at offensive blue line.
Drill #2
Murray Agility 2 - Strong Side Out
D backs to corner and gets puck from coach.
F2 skates from opposite side to support F1. D passes to F1 or F2
F2 drives wide and shoots. F1 gets off wall and drives net.
F1 then attacks corner an passes puck low to high to D following play. D walks line and shoots.
Add in - D passes to middle support and who then passes to wall forward.
Add in - Forwards cross and drop at offensive blue line.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“My tutor said something along the lines of: you can be a coach that is only interested in winning (and have the frustrations that will come with that) or you can be a coach interested in the performance of your team which will then secure more wins. I always remembered and worked with that.”
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