Looking for U8 hockey drills? Every drill below is built for ages 5–8, covering first-touch, first-season fundamentals for the youngest players on the roster. Keep instructions short, demonstrate everything, and expect to repeat the setup a few times — that's normal at this age, not a sign the drill is wrong for the group.
This drill emphasizes inside and outside edge control, quick crossover steps, and rapid transitions to improve player agility and balance on the ice.
This drill combines passing accuracy with continuous skating in a figure-8 pattern, building the tape-to-tape passing touch players need while their…
This drill builds the edge control and change-of-direction skating that underpins nearly every on-ice skill, using a simple star-shaped cone pattern…
A simple relay race that gets younger skaters comfortable controlling a puck with their head up at game speed, using team competition to keep energy…
Before any real stride is taught, the youngest skaters need to simply feel comfortable balancing on the blades — this drill builds that foundation…
Learning to stop with control (snowplow first, then a one-side stop) is one of the most confidence-building skills a young skater can learn — and one…
Before real stickhandling, the youngest players simply push a puck forward while skating — building the basic hand-eye connection between the stick…
The basic forward stride — push out and back with each leg — taught deliberately and slowly builds the movement pattern that every other skating…
Teaches young defenders to keep a manageable gap on a puck carrier, staying close enough to pressure without getting beat wide.
Introduces two of the safest, most effective ways to separate a puck carrier from the puck without taking a bad penalty.
A walk-through style drill that teaches young defenders where to stand in their own zone relative to the puck, before adding game speed.
Ready to build a full practice? See ready-made Hockey practice plans for this age group, with timing worked out for you.
See Hockey practice plansThe drills on this page are selected specifically for ages 5–8 hockey players, covering first-touch, first-season fundamentals for the youngest players on the roster. Each one lists the age range, group size, and equipment needed so you can drop it straight into a practice plan.
Most U8 practices run 45–60 minutes total, with individual drills kept to 5–8 minutes to match shorter attention spans.