Hockey is the ultimate team sport, and passing is what makes a team greater than the sum of its parts. The ability to make crisp, accurate passes—and receive them smoothly—creates offensive opportunities and keeps defenses guessing. This guide covers essential passing techniques and strategies to help you become a better playmaker.
The Art of the Pass
Why Passing Matters
Great passing creates quality scoring chances.
Benefits of Good Passing:
- Creates confusion for defenders
- Maintains possession
- Exhausts opposing players
- Builds team chemistry
- Results in better scoring chances
The Passer's Mindset
Think like a playmaker to become one.
Key Principles:
- See the ice before the play develops
- Anticipate where teammates will be
- Understand teammate capabilities
- Make the simple play first
- Take what the defense gives
Basic Pass Types
The Forehand Pass
The foundation of hockey passing.
Technique:
- Stick on forehand side of puck
- Push puck toward target
- Follow through toward teammate
- Blade angle determines pass height
Key Elements:
- Head up, see target
- Weight transfer forward
- Crisp, clean release
- Pass to teammate's tape
The Backhand Pass
Essential but often underutilized.
Technique:
- Stick on backhand side of puck
- Puck toward heel of blade
- Push through to target
- Slightly lower follow-through
Tips:
- Practice regularly
- Don't telegraph the pass
- Useful when forehand is covered
- Surprise element valuable
The Tape-to-Tape Pass
The perfect pass lands directly on teammate's blade.
Requirements:
- Accurate placement
- Proper speed
- Teammate ready to receive
- Communication
Practice:
- Stationary passing drills
- Moving passing drills
- Partner precision work
- Game-like conditions
Advanced Pass Types
The Saucer Pass
Lifts the puck over sticks, sticks, and obstacles.
Technique:
- Open blade angle upward
- Push under puck
- Crisp release at top of forward motion
- Puck floats with rotation
When to Use:
- Passing through neutral zone
- Avoiding stick lifts
- Cross-crease passes
- Getting over shot blockers
Drills:
- Practice over obstacles
- Distance saucer passes
- Moving saucer passes
- Accuracy landing zones
The Bank Pass
Uses the boards to redirect the puck.
Technique:
- Pass toward board at angle
- Puck bounces to teammate
- Use board hardness for speed
- Account for rebound
Types:
- Direct Bank: Straight off boards
- Angled Bank: Board to open ice
- Net Front: Bank off glass or net
The Give-and-Go
The classic passing play that creates space.
Execution:
- Pass to teammate
- Drive to open space
- Receive return pass
- Proceed with play
Variations:
- Simple wall pass
- Behind-the-net give-and-go
- Multiple player cycles
- Diagonal give-and-go
The Drop Pass
Strategic pass backward while moving forward.
Technique:
- Carry puck forward
- Drop puck back to trailing teammate
- Continue forward as option
- Timing is everything
When to Use:
- Entering zone
- Neutral zone transition
- Creating odd-man rush
- Frozen puck situations
The Pass Behind the Net
- Cycles puck behind goal
- Oscillate for new options
- Front-of-net passes
- Defenseman options
Receiving Passes
Receiving Technique
Good receivers make good passers look better.
Stick Position:
- Present blade to puck
- Angle toward passer
- Stationary or moving to ball
- Give target with top hand
Body Position:
- Open to receive pass
- Know where defender is
- Shield if necessary
- Ready to protect
Soft Hands
Absorb the pass for better control.
Technique:
- Relax grip on stick
- Give with the pass
- Don't fight the puck
- Cushion the reception
One-Touch Passing
Direct the puck without stopping it.
Requirements:
- Quick hands
- Anticipation
- Blade angle awareness
- Forward thinking
Benefits:
- Maintains speed
- Harder to defend
- Catches defenders sleeping
- Creates transition opportunities
Passing in Different Zones
Defensive Zone Passing
Breakout Passes:
- Quick outlet to forward
- Hit teammate stride
- Simple over blue line
- Under pressure passing
Under Pressure:
- Board option
- Safe short pass
- Direct to goalie
- _chip and chase_ alternative
Neutral Zone Passing
Transition Play:
- Quick up-ice passes
- Maintain possession
- Find open lanes
- Chips and pokes
Entering the Zone:
- Creative entries
- Pass or carry decisions
- Support positioning
- Regroup when needed
Offensive Zone Passing
Cycle Game:
- Possession passes
- Wear down defense
- Find open teammate
- Patience and control
Set-Up Passes:
- Cross-ice passes
- Behind-the-net feeds
- Point-to-point
- Passing to create openings
Power Play Passing
- Move the puck quickly
- Find shooting lanes
- Work the seams
- Trust your teammates
Passing Drills
Beginner Drills
- Stationary passing
- Moving passing in pairs
- Simple give-and-go
- Board bank passes
Intermediate Drills
- Three-person passing
- Saucer pass over obstacles
- Reception under pressure
- One-touch passing
Advanced Drills
- Small area passing games
- Game situation passing
- Reactive passing (call for puck)
- Breakout combinations
Passing Games
- Rondo (keep-away)
- 2v1, 3v2 situations
- Cycle drills
- Transition games
Communication
Calling for Puck
Let your teammate know you're open.
Methods:
- Verbal: "Tape!" or "Here!"
- Hand signals
- Knob of stick up
- Swing stick to attract attention
Calling for Support
- "Man on!" when pressured
- "Going back" before pass
- "Wheel" for support
- "Home" for net-front presence
Reading Each Other
- Eye contact
- Anticipate teammate movement
- Trust the pass will come
- Chemistry develops over time
Common Passing Mistakes
Telegraphing Passes
- Problem: Looking directly at target
- Solution: Look elsewhere, pass with eyes
Forcing Passes
- Problem: Passing into coverage
- Solution: Take what defense gives
Poor Pass Location
- Problem: Pass too far or too short
- Solution: Lead your teammate
Wrong Speed
- Problem: Pass too hard or soft
- Solution: Match pass to situation
No Support
- Problem: Teammate has no option
- Solution: Be available for outlet
Building Passing Chemistry
With Linemates
- Practice together
- Know each other's tendencies
- Anticipate movement
- Give and go instinctively
With Defensemen
- Be outlet for breakouts
- Understand their capabilities
- Return passes when possible
- Create odd-man rushes
With Entire Team
- Communication constant
- Watch for options
- Simple plays first
- Build from there
Conclusion
Great passing is the hallmark of elite hockey teams. It requires vision, technique, communication, and chemistry with teammates. Focus on making crisp, accurate passes that arrive at your teammate's blade with the right speed and in the right position.
Practice passing every day, both on and off the ice. Work on both forehand and backhand, saucer passes and one-touches. Remember that the best passers make the game look easy, but it comes from countless hours of deliberate practice. When everyone on the team commits to great passing, the result is beautiful, successful hockey.