PASS WHERE THEY’RE GOING.™ Pass Into Space when a moving teammate can skate onto the puck. Coach Joey™ teaches Players to lead teammates without passing them into pressure.
COACH JOEY™ BY AGE
U5-U7 • U8-U10 • U11-U14 • U15-U18 • Junior
U5-U7 + U8-U10 — Lead Your Teammate
When a teammate is skating, try to pass slightly ahead so they can keep moving.
WHAT DID YOU LEARN?
Where should you pass to a moving teammate?
U11-U14 — Match the Pass to the Route
Watch the teammate’s speed and direction. Put the puck where they can reach it without stopping or turning back.
WHAT DID YOU LEARN?
What should determine where you lead the pass?
U15-U18 + Junior — Pass Into Advantage
Lead the puck into space that helps the receiver attack the next play. Avoid passes that technically connect but force the receiver toward pressure.
WHAT DID YOU LEARN?
What makes a lead pass valuable at higher levels?
Why Passing to Space Matters
A pass directly to a moving Player’s current position may arrive behind them. Consequently, they may need to slow down or reach back, giving defenders time to recover.
Read the Receiver
Watch the teammate’s route, speed, and available lane. Meanwhile, consider how quickly your pass will travel. A harder pass generally requires less lead than a slower one.
Do Not Lead Into Trouble
Open ice is only useful when it improves the play. For example, a pass into space near an approaching defender can create a difficult reception. Therefore, lead the Player toward useful space, not merely empty space.
5 Smart Ways to Pass Into Space in Hockey
Pass Into Space when the receiver is moving and the lane ahead is safer than the space behind. The puck should help the teammate continue the play instead of forcing a stop.
1. Read the Receiver’s Speed
A fast teammate needs the puck farther ahead than a Player moving slowly. Match the pass to the receiver’s pace and route.
2. Check the Space Before You Lead
Do not lead a teammate directly into a defender. Scan the lane and make sure the space you are using is actually useful.
3. Control the Weight of the Pass
A pass that is too hard can outrun the receiver. A pass that is too soft can invite pressure. Adjust the pace to distance, ice conditions, and the teammate’s route.
4. Use the Boards When the Direct Lane Is Closed
Sometimes the safest way to Pass Into Space is a controlled bank or rim. The goal remains the same: put the puck where the teammate can reach it first.
5. Communicate the Intention
A short call, eye contact, or clear route can help the passer and receiver solve the same problem before the puck moves.
Practice Passing to Moving Teammates
Start with a receiver skating through a wide lane. The passer must deliver the puck ahead without forcing the receiver to stop. Add pressure only after Players can consistently match the pass to the receiver’s speed.
Continue with Get Open, Make a Target and Short Shifts. For more development resources, visit USA Hockey training materials.
Coach Joey’s Takeaway
A moving teammate needs a moving target. PASS WHERE THEY’RE GOING.™
Coach Joey™ 10-Second Hockey Lesson™
PASS WHERE THEY’RE GOING.™
ONE LESSON. ONE INSTRUCTION. ONE TAKEAWAY.™
Part of Coach Joey™ 10-Second Hockey Lessons™. Presented by The Hockey Resource™.