The focus and goal of the Learn to Skate (L2S) curriculums are designed to teach beginner hockey players

the fundamentals of skating.

Every association will have different needs, access to ice, a large variation in ages (4-10 years old) and number of players in their L2S
sessions. If you have 5 or 60 new players, USA Hockey recommends that you use age and skill appropriate drills to teach the players
how to skate and play hockey. Its important for these players to become comfortable on the ice, learn the basic hockey stance, stride,
knee bend, use of edges and how to hold a stick before moving into a learn to play, 6U or 8U full hockey curriculum.
The L2S1 Curriculum consists of 4 practice plans for a total of 12 sessions and the L2S2 Curriculum consists of 4 practice plans plus two
age appropriate FUN game days for a total of 14 sessions. USA Hockey recommends that each practice plan should be instructed 3
consecutive times before moving onto the next practice plan. Each practice consists of 6 different drills working on fundamental hockey
skating skills. Most practice plans will have suggestions for advanced progression for those players who develop a little faster than others.
Repetition and the appropriate progression for beginners are extremely important at this level. Players should perform drills without a
hockey stick during the L2S1 Curriculum, as this helps with the overall development of balance.
Before the frst practice have your coaches help these new players/families dress in all their hockey equipment. Spend 10
minutes off the ice in full gear teaching kids how to get up, stand in a hockey ready position, bend, touch toes, sit, squat, balance
on one leg, etc. You will have kids sign up at various ages, athletic ability and confdence levels. Make sure you have some crates
or skating walkers available for players who need that level of assistance. Assign a couple coaches to be in charge of these players.
L2S practice plan template: Based on a 60 minute ice slot.
Free Time: Let the players have the frst fve minutes of practice as FUN free play. Dump as many items from the bag of toys as
possible onto the ice and let kids experiment. Younger players may be intimidated and scared the frst 2-3 practices. During the frst 3
sessions coaches should interact with their assigned group during the frst 5 minutes to keep them active and engaged from the start.
Length of Drills/Stations: 5 drills x 8 minutes ending with an agility exercise to change the drill. Depending on the number of
L2S players in your program all 5 drills may be instructed in the same 3rd or 6th of the ice for the entire 40 minutes. Have water
accessible in each station or area.
Coach to Player Ratio: Recruit coaches, parents and student coaches to help run these practice sessions. Create more stations
according to the total number of players. The more adults per players the smoother your practice will run and the more confdent
and safe the players will feel. A good ratio is 1 coach to 5 players. Coaches need to bring a lot of praise and enthusiasm to the
L2S practices to encourage the young players!
INTRODUCTION
LEARN TO SKATE CURRICULUM
PVC piping can be purchased at any hardware store.
How to make PVC walker:
1 or 2 inch diameter, approximately 14 feet of piping needed.
Cut into:
3: 22 inch pieces-2 Bottom Vertical and 1 Middle Pipe
2: 17 inch-Front Uprights
2: 15 inch- Bottom Horizontal
2: 8 inch-Top Vertical
2: 7.5 inch-Top Horizontal
8: 90 degree Elbows (4 on top & 4 on bottom)
2: Tee Connectors
22: Screws to reinforce each Elbow (2 each)
and Tee Connectors (3 each)
Agility: Players perform an agility exercise 3-4 times before moving to the next activity. Examples: Drop to knees and get up,
snow angles, superman, log rolls each direction, 2 foot jumps, etc. Select an agility exercise that the players can handle and
progress from simple to complex over the length of the curriculum.
Games: Always play a ten minute game after completion of the 5 stations. Bubbles, Cut the Cake, Driving, Tag, Kick the Can,
Red Light Green Light, Cops & Robbers, Clean Your Room, British Bulldog, Hand Ball Soccer, Score-O, etc.
Free Time: Let the players have the last fve minutes of practice as FUN free play.
Tools:
Toy Bag: Ringette rings, soccer balls, nerf balls, softballs, tennis ball, small cones, bubbles, etc.
Permanent Ice Markers.
Skating Aids: Crates stacked on top of each other zip tied together, chairs, or ice skating walkers made out of PVC piping or metal.
METAL WALKER PVC PIPE WALKER MILK CRATES
INTRODUCTION
LEARN TO SKATE CURRICULUM
INTRODUCTION
LEARN TO SKATE CURRICULUM
Skates: The skates are the most important piece of gear. Make sure the skates ft right. The wrong ft will
cause players frustration if too big and pain if too small.
To Properly Fit Skates:
1. Remove the insole from the skate and have the player stand on it. Make sure the heel is properly
aligned with the heel of the insole. The big toe should almost reach the front edge of the insole. There
should not be more than a 1/4 inch of insole showing.
OR
2. Loosen the laces of the skate and insert foot pushing toes up against the toe bed. No more than one
fnger should ft between the players heel and the heel of the skate.
Stick Length: The stick is the next most important piece of equipment after skates.
Sticks need to be cut at the appropriate height for each player. Most kids have sticks that are too long.
Have players stand in skates with stick on its end in front of player. Stick should be cut at chin level.
It is important to buy the players a junior stick rather than an adult stick.
Hammer Grip: The top hand should hold the stick with a frm grip. Place the top
hand so that the V between the thumb and forefnger is on the top side of the
stick and the shaft rests in the players fngers like you would hold a Hammer.
L2S2 PLAN #1
STATION/DRILL 1: BACKWARD GLIDING & WALKING 8 MINUTES
Players line up facing boards without sticks in a basic Backwards Hockey Stance.
Coaching Points: Skating backwards is like sitting in a chair. Keep knees bent and back straight. Feet and knees are shoulder
width apart. Lower center of gravity by keeping butt down. Keep head up, chest out and shoulders back. Weight is evenly
distributed along skate blades.
Part 1: Without Stick put hands on boards and push body away from the boards and Glide Backwards.
Repeat 4-5 times. Progress to Pushing, Gliding, Squatting and Bobbing.
Part 2: Using Stick have players face the boards. Assume Basic Hockey Stance. Duck Walk backwards to the blue line
occasionally looking over right and left shoulder. Start with skates in a V position. Lift skates off the ice while shifting weight
from one skate to another. Replace foot with toe turned outward each time. Return Duck Walking forward. Repeat.
BACKWARD GLIDING HOCKEY STANCE DUCK WALK
8 MINUTES
L2S2 PLAN #1
STATION/DRILL 2: EDGES 8 MINUTES
Glide Turns: Set up a peanut with 6 cones. Coach draws pattern with an ice marker so it is easy for players to understand route.
Players line up at cones 1 and 4. Players complete one and a half laps stopping at opposite line. Player skates forward and
Glides on two skates around cones.
Coaching Points:
Skates are shoulder width apart, lead with inside skate
Head and shoulders initiate turn
Bend knees and lean in
Weight on fat part of skate blade to ball of foot
Lead with stick
The next player goes when frst player reaches a cone. Change direction and repeat.
2
3
4
1
6
5
L2S2 PLAN #1
8 MINUTES STATION/DRILL 3: ABCs 8 MINUTES
Relay Race: Divide players into 2 teams. Lay sticks in suggested pattern.
Perform Part 1 & Part 2 without sticks.
Part 1: Have players walk laterally over each stick, glide turn around cone, Forward
Stride back to line tagging next player and ending with a Snow Plow Stop scraping
off smiley face. Repeat facing opposite direction.
Part 2: Players step over sticks, Glide Turn around cone and Forward Stride back
to line tagging next player ending with a Snow Plow stop scraping off smiley face.
Part 3: Players weave in and out of sticks, Glide Turn around cones Forward Stride
back to line tagging next player ending with a Snow Plow Stop scraping off smiley face.
Coaching Points: Lead with stick on ice and inside skate. Make sure players do not
drag toe around cone.
STEP OVER OBSTACLES 1 FOOT SNOW PLOW STOP GLIDE TURN
L2S2 PLAN #1
STATION/DRILL 4: PUCK HANDLING 8 MINUTES
Players spread out in designated zone facing coach.
Stationary: Have players pretend to stickhandle without a puck to emphasize wide
stance, weight transfer and rolling of wrists. Players extend stick wide outside skates
on forehand and backhand. Hold stance for 2-3 seconds to exaggerate weight transfer
from left leg to right leg. After a few repetitions coach holds up a number of fngers and
the players call out the number while Stickhandling.
Coaching Points: Players skates are parallel, a little wider than shoulder width. Toes
are straight ahead, knees bent, chest up. Players transfer weight from left to right skate.
Top hand is control hand. Allow top hand to roll back and forth.
Bottom hand grip is loose and guides stick. Hold stick like a hammer
(reference description in Introduction).
L2S2 PLAN #1
STATION/DRILL 5: PUCK HANDLING & PASSING 8 MINUTES
Passing: Have players partner up and stand 15-20 feet apart.
Stationary: Player pass puck to partner, Sweeping the Puck. Partner receives puck and returns pass. Repeat.
Coaching Points:
Point shoulder at partner so players are passing across their body.
Players stand in a Hockey Stance with a wide stance parallel to partner.
Sweep puck behind back skate with puck on the heel of the stick blade.
Body weight is on the back leg.
Head is up looking at the target, make eye contact with receiver.
Puck is passed with a sweeping action of the arms.
Pull with the top hand and push with the bottom hand.
Transfer weight from the back leg to the front leg. Follow through low and towards partner.
L2S2 PLAN #1
Create 2 teams, and play without sticks.
Use 2 soccer balls (cans) and play 3 v 3 or 4 v 4 with designated goals.
Make sure kids bend their knees and use inside of foot while in kicking motion.
Rotate every 90 seconds.
GAME: KICK THE CAN
L2S2 PLAN #2
STATION/DRILL 1: BACKWARD STANCE & BACKWARD WALKING 8 MINUTES
Players stand on the goal line.
Coaching Points: Skating backwards is like sitting in a chair. Keep knees bent and back straight. Feet and knees are shoulder
width apart. Lower center of gravity by keeping butt down. Keep head up, chest up and shoulders back. Weight is evenly
distributed along skate blades.
Part 1: Have players stand in basic backward hockey stance, then stand up straight, repeat 4 times. Have them drop to knees
and get back into Hockey Stance.
Part 2: Have players face the boards. Assume Basic Hockey Stance. Duck Walk backwards to the blue line. Start with skates
in a V position. Lift skates off the ice while shifting weight from one skate to another. Replace foot with toe turned outward each
time. Return Duck Walking forward. Repeat.
Part 3: Perform Fishes (swizzles) backwards. Start with toes together using Inside Edges. Move heels outward, then inward
until heels touch. Repeat creating Fishes backwards from goal line to blue line.
DUCK WALK HOCKEY STANCE
L2S2 PLAN #2
8 MINUTES 8 MINUTES
Coaching Points: Begin in a Hockey Stance, knees bent with head and chest up. With weight on right leg turn left foot out
slightly to the side, push down and to the side pressing the inside edge blade into the ice. Extend leg completely. Recover back
leg to front leg aligning the knees back into a Hockey Stance.
Forward Stride alternating legs to blue line ending with a right foot Snow Plow Stop. Forward Stride back to goal line ending
with a left foot Snow Plow Stop. Repeat.
STATION/DRILL 2: FORWARD STRIDE/SKATING
Each player has a blue puck.
Stickhandle the puck from the left side to right side in front of body. Hold puck for 2-3
seconds to help exaggerate weight transfer from left leg to right leg. Alternate between
narrow (inside skates) and wide dribbles (outside skates). After a few repetitions coach
holds up a number of fngers and players call out the number while Stickhandling.
Players skate from goal line to blue line Stickhandling side to side. On command have
them stop where they are and stationary Stickhandle narrow and wide in front of their body.
Coaching Points: Top hand is control hand. Allow top hand to roll back and forth.
Bottom hand grip is loose and guides stick. Hold stick like a hammer
(reference description in Introduction).
L2S2 PLAN #2
STATION/DRILL 3: PUCK HANDLING 8 MINUTES
L2S2 PLAN #2
STATION/DRILL 4: SWEEP PASS 8 MINUTES 8 MINUTES
Sweep Pass: Players partner up, stand 8-10 apart and pass a blue puck back and forth.
Work on proper technique: Emphasize keeping the hands away from the body and Sweeping the Puck.

Coaching Points:
Point shoulder at partner so players are passing across their body.
Start puck behind back skate with puck on the heel of the stick blade.
Body weight is on the back leg.
Head is up looking at the target, make eye contact with receiver.
Puck is passed with a sweeping action of the arms.
Pull with the top hand and push with the bottom hand.
Transfer weight from the back leg to the front leg. Follow through low and towards partner.
Scatter Puck Game: All players have a blue puck. Divide the players into 2 teams. Each team must stay on their designated half
of the ice. For 30 seconds players shoot pucks to the other teams side of the ice. Team with the least number of pucks on their
side when time runs out wins. Repeat several times.
L2S2 PLAN #2
STATION/DRILL 5: FORWARD C-CUTS 8 MINUTES 8 MINUTES
Coach draws a C on the ice with a ice marker. Players place hands on boards shoulder
width apart.
Players practice making C-Cuts with both skates by tracing the C.
Coaching Points: Progress to starting in the hockey stance position, point left toe outward
with heel touching right heel to form an L shape. Shift weight to right side, and push away
with left skate by using a C-Cut. Point toe back in and return skate to start position. Repeat.
Progress to moving C-Cuts. Starting in the Hockey Stance position players skate goal line
to blue line performing C-Cuts with left foot and return using right foot.
L2S2 PLAN #2
GAME: RED LIGHT GREEN LIGHT 10 MINUTES
Players start on side boards.
Players skate towards center ice where the policeman (coach) is holding a red painted puck and a green painted puck. Coach
can also use a crossing guard sign.
If coach holds up a red painted puck player must stop moving - working on Snow Plow Stops. Return to side boards and
start again.
If player is caught moving on a Red Light they must return to start. First player to policeman (coach) is the winner.
L2S2 PLAN #3
STATION/DRILL 1: ABCs & EDGE WORK 8 MINUTES
Divide players into 2 lines if you have more than 6 players.
Players weave in and out of cones, Snow Plow Stop touch side boards, continue to skate around 2 remaining cones, step in
and out of each tire skating back into line. When player reaches the 3rd cone the next player goes. This allows 3 players from
each team to be involved at the same time.
Relay Race: Perform drill as a race. Second player may leave once frst player touches the side boards and third player goes
when frst player tags them.
1 FOOT SNOW PLOW GLIDE TURNS
L2S2 PLAN #3
STATION/DRILL 2: SWEEP SHOT 8 MINUTES
Each player has a blue puck and lines up 8-10 feet from the boards.
Coaching Points: Bring puck behind body with puck on heel of stick. Begin with weight on the back leg. Sweep the Puck forward
transferring weight to front leg and rolling over wrists.
Players repeat Sweep Shots against boards.
L2S2 PLAN #3
STATION/DRILL 3: BACKWARD C-CUTS 8 MINUTES
Coach draws a C on the ice with a ice marker.
Players place hands on boards shoulder width apart.
Players practice making Backward C-Cuts with both skates by tracing the C.
Coaching Points: Progress to moving C-Cuts. Starting in the Hockey Stance position, point
left heel outward, shift weight to right side, and push away with left skate by using a C-Cut. After
extension, point heel back in and return skate to start position. Begin on the fat part of the skate
blade and fnish extension with the toe. Repeat.
Have players skate goal line to blue line Backward C-Cutting with left foot and return using right foot.
STATION/DRILL 4: ABCs 8 MINUTES
Obstacle Course: Coach uses a ice marker to draw course. Players place sticks
along boards and start drill lying on their back with feet facing coach.
Player performs continuous Log Rolls left to the frst cone. Get up and Superman
between the cones, Skate around frst tire, Jump/Step over hockey sticks, Skate
around second tire, fall to knees then Get Up and Skate back into line and repeat.
Half way through station time move line to start on opposite side to Log Roll and
Skate around tires the other direction. A minimum of six players should be active
during the drill.
LOG ROLL
STEP OVER OBSTACLES
SUPERMAN
GETTING UP
L2S2 PLAN #3
STATION/DRILL 5: EDGE WORK, STOPS & PUCK HANDLING 8 MINUTES
L2S2 PLAN #3
Obstacle Course: Coach sets up 6 cones in a peanut formation. Coach uses an
ice marker to draw pattern ending with an X.
Players skate pattern around cones performing Glide Turns fnishing with a
Snow Plow Stop. Have players try to build a pile of snow to cover the X.
Coaching Points: Glide Turns: Make sure stick is on the ice leading players
around each cone. Teach players to lean into cone.
Skate closest to cone should be the lead foot.
Correct players if they drag the inside foot.
Advanced: Puck handle blue pucks around obstacle course.
2 FOOT SNOW PLOW 1 FOOT SNOW PLOW GLIDE TURNS
GAME: SCORE-O 10 MINUTES
L2S2 PLAN #3
All the pucks are scattered in the neutral zone. Divide players into 2 teams. Each team starts on their blue line. Use one third of
ice surface to play Score-O.
On whistle each team tries to get as many pucks as they can onto the other teams nets. Players are allowed to steal pucks from
the other team and out of their own net.
Team with the most goals after 3 minutes wins. Repeat.
STATION/DRILL 1: EDGES 8 MINUTES
L2S2 PLAN #4
Glide Turns: Set up a peanut with 6 cones. Coach draws pattern with an ice marker so it is easy for players to understand route.
Players line up at cones 1 and 4. Player skates forward and Glides on two skates around cones.
Coaches Points:
Skates are shoulder width apart, lead with inside skate
Head and shoulders initiate turn
Bend knees and lean in
Weight on fat part of skate blade to ball of foot
Lead with stick
The next player goes when frst player reaches a cone. Change direction and repeat.
2
3
4
1
6
5
STATION/DRILL 2: PUCK HANDLING 8 MINUTES
L2S2 PLAN #4
Each player has a puck.
Part 1: Stickhandle the Puck from the left side to right side in front of body. Hold puck for
2-3 seconds to help exaggerate weight transfer from left leg to right leg. Alternate between
narrow (inside skates) and wide dribble (outside skates). After a few repetitions coach holds
up a number of fngers and players call out the number while Stickhandling.
Part 2: One group skates and Stickhandles a puck inside circle while the other group
skates and Stickhandles a puck outside circle but inside designated station area.
On command players switch roles.
Coaching Points: Players skates are parallel, a little wider than shoulder width. Toes are
straight ahead, knees bent, chest up. Players transfer weight from left to right skate.
Top hand is control hand. Allow top hand to roll back and forth.
Bottom hand grip is loose and guides stick. Hold stick like a Hammer
(reference description in Introduction).
STATION/DRILL 3: INSIDE EDGES 8 MINUTES
L2S2 PLAN #4
Swizzles: Begin from Hockey Stance position. Put heels together to form a V position. Using Inside Edges, push toes outward,
then toes inward making toes touch. Make the shape of a Fish. Repeat creating Fishes forward from goal line to blue line.
Player should remain in hockey stance with stick on the ice.
Perform Fishes backwards. Starts with toes together using Inside Edges move heels outward, then inward until heels touch.
Repeat creating Fishes backward from goal line to blue line.
Rocking Horse: Perform one Fish forward then one Fish backwards. Create Fishes around 5 small cones, skate hard around
cone and return to line. Repeat.
8 MINUTES
L2S2 PLAN #4
STATION/DRILL 4: ABCs
Relay Race: Divide players into 2 teams. Lay sticks in suggested pattern.
Part 1: Players step over sticks, Glide Turn around cone and Forward Stride back
to line tagging next player ending with a Snow Plow stop. Perform without sticks.
Part 2: Players weave in and out of sticks, Glide Turn around cones skating back
to line tagging next player ending with a Snow Plow stop. Players snow plow stop
scraping off smiley face.
Coaching Points: Lead with stick on ice and inside skate. Make sure players
do not drag toe around cone.
STEP OVER OBSTACLES 1 FOOT SNOW PLOW GLIDE TURN
8 MINUTES
L2S2 PLAN #4
STATION/DRILL 5: ABCs, EDGE WORK, PUCKHANDLING
Divide players into 2 lines if you have more than 6 players.
Players weave in and out of cones, Snow Plow Stop touch side boards, continue to Glide Turn around 4 remaining cones and
tires, returning back into line. When player reaches the 3rd cone the next player goes. This allows 3 players from each team to
be involved at the same time.
Relay Race: Perform drill as a race.
Advanced: Have players use blue pucks. When they get to the fourth cone they must pass the puck off the side boards back to
themselves and continue through the course. Make sure players top hand wrist rolls back and forth and bottom hand grip is
loose to guide the puck.
1 FOOT SNOW PLOW GLIDE TURNS
GAME: SCATTER PUCK 10 MINUTES
L2S2 PLAN #4
All players have a blue puck. Divide the players into 2 teams. Each team must stay on their designated half of the ice.
For 30 seconds players shoot blue pucks to the other teams side of the ice. Team with the least number of pucks on their side
when time runs out wins. Repeat several times.

Coaching Points:
Emphasize keeping the hands away from the body and Sweeping the Puck.
Start puck behind back skate with puck on the heel of the stick blade.
Body weight is on the back leg.
Head is up looking at the target, make eye contact with receiver.
Puck is passed with a sweeping action of the arms.
Pull with the top hand and push with the bottom hand.
Transfer weight from the rear leg to the front leg.
GAME 1: BRITISH BULLDOG
10 MINUTES
Players stand along the side boards. 1-3 Bulldogs (players or coaches) stand in the middle of the rink.
Players along the boards try to skate to the far boards without being tagged by the Bulldogs. If tagged they become a Bulldog
and remain in center to help tag players.
Play until you have a winner. Repeat.
L2S2 PLAN #5
GAME 2: FREEZE TAG
10 MINUTES
L2S2 PLAN #5
Freeze Tag: Coach Tags or selected players do the Tagging in designated area.
If tagged, player is Frozen and stands in the hockey ready position until they are set free.

The Tagged player is set free when another player skates a circle around them.
GAME 3: COPS AND ROBBERS
Coaches are the Cops and players are the Robbers. Play tag on one third of the ice.
To start game everyone stands in prison (middle circle).
Safe zones are the other 4 circles or neutral zone face off dots. No more than 2 players can be in a safe zone at a time.
Players can only stay in one safe zone for 5 seconds. If tagged by a Cop you have to go to prison.
Captured Robbers can be freed by another Robber tagging them.
R
R
R
R
R
R
R
R
R
R
10 MINUTES
L2S2 PLAN #5
GAME 4: RED LIGHT GREEN LIGHT 10 MINUTES
L2S2 PLAN #5
Players start on side boards.
Players skate towards center ice where the policeman (coach) is holding a red painted puck and a green painted puck. Coach
can also use a crossing guard sign.
If coach holds up a red painted puck player must stop moving - working on Snow Plow Stops. Return to side boards and
start again.
If player is caught moving on a Red Light they must return to start. First player to policeman (coach) is the winner.
GAME 5: KICK THE CAN 10 MINUTES
L2S2 PLAN #5
Create 2 teams, and play without sticks.
Use 2 soccer balls (cans) and play 3 v 3 or 4 v 4 with designated goals.
Make sure kids bend their knees and use inside of foot while in kicking motion.
Rotate every 90 seconds.
GAME 6: SCORE-O 10 MINUTES
L2S2 PLAN #5
All the pucks are scattered in the neutral zone. Divide players into 2 teams. Each team starts on their blue line. Use one third of
ice surface to play Score-O.
On whistle each team tries to get as many pucks as they can onto the other teams nets. Players are allowed to steal pucks from
the other team and out of their own net.
Team with the most goals after 3 minutes wins. Repeat.