2018 West Chester Wolverines
Welcome, West Chester Wolverines families! We're thrilled to introduce this dedicated off-season training resource, designed to foster your child's long-term development and confidence. Most of the drills and activities highlighted here can be done right at home with minimal equipment. This website is your go-to guide for enhancing skills, featuring comprehensive dryland, stickhandling, and shooting drills, along with exciting challenges like the 4,000 Shot Challenge. Remember to look for links to videos throughout the site for additional information and demonstrations. Dive into our Hockey IQ Homework section to easily understand game rules and positions, and find valuable insights from the Coach's Corner.
Dryland, Stickhandling & Shooting Training
Explore our interactive drill library for foot quickness, essential stickhandling skills, and shooting techniques, then learn about foundational athleticism, and safety guidelines.
Interactive Drill Library
Find the perfect drills for your training goals. Filter by the type of skill you want to build or the equipment you have available. Click a drill for details and to explore AI-reviewed variations!
🔥 The 4,000 Shot Challenge! 🔥
Coaches are challenging all Wolverines to shoot **4,000 pucks** between now and the start of mini-camp! That's just an average of **80 pucks per day** for the next seven weeks!
Why 4,000 Shots? Consistency is Key!
Every shot builds muscle memory and strengthens your technique. The more you shoot, the better your shot will become! This challenge is all about building consistency and developing that powerful, accurate shot needed on the ice.
See Shot Improvement in Action ▶No Net? No Problem! The Crosby Method!
Don't have a shooting net at home? No worries! NHL superstar Sidney Crosby famously practiced shooting pucks into his family's clothing dryer in the basement when he was a kid. It wasn't about scoring goals, but about repetition and feel. You can use any safe, sturdy target like a garage wall (with a protective tarp/board), a fence, or even a pillow fort!
Parents: Tracking Progress Made Easy!
Download a printable calendar online or buy a wall calendar. Have your player mark off their total shots each day or week! You can also download our custom challenge tracker below!
Whiteboard Tracker
Use a small whiteboard in the garage or basement. Kids can tally their shots with a marker.
Wipe clean weekly/monthly for new challenges!
Jar of Pucks/Marbles
For every 10 shots, move a marble/small stone from one jar to another. Visually satisfying!
Fill the "Goal" jar to reach milestones.
The Foundation of Quickness
1. Low Hip Athletic Position
This is the most critical element. A low stance engages your powerful glute muscles, increases your range of motion, and keeps you ready to explode in any direction—just like in a game.
2. Light On Your Toes
Avoid being "heavy-footed." Staying light and springy on the balls of your feet allows for maximum responsiveness, preventing slow transitions and enabling rapid changes of direction.
3. Active Arms
Speed is a full-body activity. Pumping your arms provides momentum and balance. An inactive upper body will always slow you down, so get those arms moving!
Safety Zone
Smart training is safe training. Following these essential guidelines protects against injury, prevents burnout, and ensures sustainable athletic development.
Warm-Up & Cool-Down
Never skip them. A proper warm-up prepares muscles for activity, while a cool-down aids recovery.
Form Over Speed
Perfect technique is the goal. Poor form is inefficient and leads to injury. Quality over quantity, always.
Listen To Your Body
Stop immediately if you feel sharp pain or excessive fatigue. Differentiate between muscle tiredness and potential injury.
Smart Surfaces
Train on shock-absorbing surfaces like grass or rubber flooring. Avoid hard concrete.
Proper Footwear
Wear supportive athletic shoes with good cushioning to provide stability and absorb impact.
Rest & Recovery
Adequate rest and recovery are crucial. This allows muscles to repair and grow stronger, preventing overuse injuries and burnout.
Hockey IQ Homework 🧠
Understanding the game is just as important as playing it! This section will help parents and players learn the basic rules, positions, and common terms to enhance their hockey knowledge.
Understanding Offside & Icing
Offside Explained
- The **blue lines** mark zones on the ice.
- An attacking player (with the puck or without) must **not cross the opponent's blue line before the puck** does.
- Think of it like this: The puck needs to enter the zone first, then the players can follow!
- If a player is offside, the play is stopped, and there's a face-off.
Icing Explained
- Icing happens when a player shoots or passes the puck from **behind their own blue line** all the way down to the opponent's goal line **without anyone touching it**.
- It's usually called to prevent teams from just "dumping" the puck down the ice to waste time.
- The play is stopped, and the face-off goes back to the zone of the team that iced the puck.
- **No icing** if teams are playing shorthanded (penalty kill), or if a goalie leaves their crease to play the puck.
Positions on the Ice
Understanding where each player lines up and their role on the ice is key to team success!
Watch Positions Explained ▶Goalie (G)
The last line of defense! The goalie's primary job is to stop all pucks from entering their net, using their specialized equipment and quick reflexes. They are crucial for team success and often need strong mental focus.
Defensemen (D)
Two defensemen primarily protect the goalie and the defensive zone, preventing opponents from getting scoring chances. They block shots, clear opponents from in front of the net, and help start offensive rushes by moving the puck out of their defensive zone to start offensive play. They also take shots from the blue line in the offensive zone.
Center (C)
Plays in the middle of the ice, takes face-offs, and plays both offense and defense. Their responsibilities include setting up scoring opportunities, distributing the puck, and backchecking to support the defense.
Left Wing (LW) & Right Wing (RW)
Two wingers play on the sides of the ice. Their main jobs are to score goals, set up plays in the offensive zone, and apply forechecking pressure on opposing defensemen. They also have defensive responsibilities, particularly covering opposing defensemen and supporting breakouts along the boards.
Hockey Terminology Glossary
Click on a term to learn its meaning!
Coach's Corner: Keys to Improvement
Becoming a better player happens off the ice, too. Keep these key takeaways in mind to maximize your development.
Long-Term Growth & Confidence
Remember, we have a long season ahead, and our Wolverines will improve tremendously! Not everything needs to be mastered in one day. These drills are here to help them build their skills, and just as importantly, bring some added confidence to the rink this fall. Keep it fun, focus on effort, and celebrate every small victory!
Consistency is Everything
Short, regular practice sessions are far more effective than one long, infrequent workout. Make it a habit.
Embrace the Fun
Turn drills into games and challenges. If you're enjoying training, you're more likely to stick with it.
Observe and Adapt
Use a camera to record yourself. Watching your own technique is a powerful tool for correcting form.
🗓️ Upcoming Notable Dates 🗓️
Mark your calendars for these important Wolverine events!
Wolverine Mini Camp
Dates: August 8, 9, & 10
Get ready for an exciting few days of on-ice and off-ice training to prepare for the season!