Guide

HOCKEY PASSING GUIDE

The passes that move the puck, the saucer that skips sticks, and the give-and-go that beats defenders.

BASIC PASS TYPES

Hockey passes fall into a handful of categories. Most plays involve multiple types:

Forehand pass

A pass made on the forehand side of the blade. The most-used and most accurate pass. Should arrive flat and on the tape.

Backhand pass

A pass made on the backhand side of the blade. Used to change the angle and catch defenders off guard. Effective in tight spaces.

Saucer pass

A pass that floats over sticks and obstacles. Used to clear the defensive zone, set up a one-timer, or feed a forward on a rush.

Bank pass

A pass off the boards. Used to maintain possession in the defensive zone and to reset plays.

One-touch pass

A pass made without stopping the puck. The fastest pass but requires excellent hand-eye coordination.

Slap pass

A pass made with a slap shot motion. Used for long-distance clearing or as a power-play setup.

PASSING MECHANICS

The fundamentals of a good pass are the same regardless of type. Focus on:

Lead the target: pass to where the receiver is going, not where they are. The puck should arrive at the receiver stick as they reach it, not before or after.
On the tape: the puck should arrive flat on the receiver blade, not bouncing. Bouncing pucks require stickhandling to receive and slow the play.
Head up before passing: look at the target, not the puck. The puck is between the blade and the ice; the eyes should be scanning options.
Push and follow: push the puck with a sweeping motion of the blade. Pulling the puck limits accuracy and speed.
Soft hands on reception: catch the puck softly to set up the next play. Hard catches require stickhandling to settle.

SAUCER PASS DETAILS

The saucer is the most-used specialty pass. Used to clear sticks, avoid blocked lanes, or feed a forward on a rush. The mechanics:

Cup the puck slightly with the heel of the blade
Push through the puck with a slight upward angle (5-15 degrees)
The puck lifts 2-6 inches off the ice depending on distance
Receiver should expect the puck in the air; receive with the blade angled up

The saucer is most effective on breakouts (clearing the defensive zone over the forechecker stick) and on the power play (feeding the slot player across the seam).

GIVE-AND-GO

The give-and-go is the simplest and most-effective way to beat a defender one-on-one. The mechanics:

Approach the defender with the puck
Pass to a teammate in support (the "give")
Skate past the defender toward open ice
Receive the return pass (the "go") in stride

The give-and-go works because the defender must commit to either the puck carrier or the support player. The split-second decision is what creates the open lane.

PASSING DRILLS

The most effective passing drills for practice:

Stationary partner passing

Two players 10-15 feet apart, continuous forehand-backhand passing for 60 seconds. The foundational drill for passing accuracy.

Moving partner passing

Two players skating the length of the ice passing back and forth. Builds the timing needed for in-game passes.

Three-man weave

Three players in a zigzag pattern, continuous one-touch passing. Used in warm-ups and to build touch.

Saucer over obstacles

Two players with sticks or pucks between them; the passer must lift the puck over. Builds saucer accuracy.

Give-and-go with cones

Cone simulates a defender. Pass to support, skate past cone, receive return pass. Builds the timing for the give-and-go.

Breakout patterns

Five players in defensive zone positions. Defenseman retrieves puck and executes each breakout pattern in turn.