7 Principles for Coaches: Vision & Scanning

Scanning the ice quickly to process visual information will give players a competitive edge during a game.

7 COACHING PRINCIPLES: Skating | Puck Control | Vision & Scanning | Deception | Creative & Dynamic | Angling | Goaltending

Hockey’s fast pace requires players to process visual information quickly to give them a competitive edge. The faster a player can gather, analyze and act on information, the better their chances of executing the next play. This ability to make rapid decisions under pressure can significantly impact overall performance.

A Crucial Skill for All Positions

Scanning, often referred to as shoulder-checking, benefits every position on the ice. It is essential in all areas, allowing players to assess their surroundings. However, simply looking isn’t enough; players must actively “see” and understand the information they’re taking in.

Key Information to Identify

When scanning or looking around on the ice, players should focus on two main sources of information: where their teammates are and where the opposition’s pressure is coming from. Being able to quickly identify these factors will assist in making better decisions with the puck under pressure.

Incorporating Vision Into Training

Vision and scanning habits can be easily practiced and should be a regular part of daily training. When this skill becomes second nature, players will consistently find themselves making successful plays in games, greatly benefiting both their individual performance and the team’s success.

Teaching Puck Control 

Teaching vision and scanning skills at all ages levels is essential for developing well-rounded hockey players. For younger players, learning to consistently scan the ice and identify key information builds a foundation for advance gameplay, improving their overall hockey IQ. As players mature and the speed of the game increases, the ability to process information quickly becomes even more critical. By reinforcing these skills across all age groups, players will become more confident and capable of making smart, spilt-second decisions.

Here are three drills that can be used at all ages to teach puck control:

Drill #1 – Forwards / Puck Protection / Vision Sequence

Progression A

• Players find a dot and partner.
• Players position themselves two stick lengths away from each other.
• One player on the dot turns and protects the puck from their partner.
• The non-protecting player shows a number on their hand and moves in a circular motion around puck protector.
• Protecting players must keep their back to partner and should check for changing numbers on the hand.
• The protecting player calls out the number as their partner moves around.

Progression B

• Add new player to the group; three players will now execute.
• Use the same puck protection sequence above on and off the coach’s whistle.
• The new player adds stress to the situation and hinders the protector’s use of vision and ease of protecting the puck.

Progression C

• Still in a group of three, remove the number calling and make the player a passing outlet.

Drill #2 – Figure 8 Scanning

Defence:

• Defence starts up at the blue line in between two pylons.
• The player will skate in a figure 8 with the puck always facing the net.
• Coach should face the player, holding a hand up in the air to show numbers.
• Defence will visually identify the number and call it out.
• After 20-25 seconds, the player will go in for a shot.

Forwards:

• Forwards start on the dot in the corner.
• Coaches will surround the player, holding one hand in the air.
• The forward will spot puck along the boards and retrieve it.
• The forward will skate in a figure 8 puck protection pattern along the wall, while at the same time identifying the number the coach is showing on their hand.
• After 20-25 seconds, the player will go in for a shot.

Drill #3 – Reading Pressure / Corner Situations

• One player starts in the corner, one player has a puck on the dot.
• The player on the dot passes to the player in corner with pressure to the left or right side.

Progressions

• Nose-to-nose pressure
• Shoulder check turn pressure
• Absorb and spin from pressure
• Build to 1v1 out of the corner

The Hockey Canada Network gives coaches and players the tools to succeed with drills, skills, videos, practice plans and articles on their tablet or phone. There are over 1,500 drills and more than 100 lesson plans available.

Looking for more skills and drills? Hockey Canada frequently posts skill videos on its social channels that can be incorporated into practice plans. Search the #HCSkillsCoach and #HCGoalieCoach on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok to find more drill videos to utilize on the ice.