Under-8 (U8) · Hockey

U8 Hockey Drills

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.

Edgework Skating Drill

This drill emphasizes inside and outside edge control, quick crossover steps, and rapid transitions to improve player agility and balance on the ice.

SkatingEdgework
8-10 minutes
Ages 8+

Figure-8 Passing Drill

This drill combines passing accuracy with continuous skating in a figure-8 pattern, building the tape-to-tape passing touch players need while their…

PassingSkating
8–10 minutes
Ages 8+

Star Skating Agility Drill

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…

SkatingAgility
6–8 minutes
Ages 7+

Puck Control Relay Drill

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…

StickhandlingFun / Competitive
8–10 minutes
Ages 7+

Ready to build a full practice? See ready-made Hockey practice plans for this age group, with timing worked out for you.

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Common Questions

What are the best U8 hockey drills?

The 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.

How long should a hockey practice be for this age group?

Most U8 practices run 45–60 minutes total, with individual drills kept to 5–8 minutes to match shorter attention spans.