Level 2 transitions players from introductory hockey into connected, decision-based play.
Players begin to apply skills under pressure, make simple decisions, support teammates, and participate effectively in game play.
This page is a rapid orientation guide.
Coaches should read the Lesson Plan before delivering Level 2 sessions.
The Quick Start is intended for quick reference immediately before coaching.
Players leaving Level 2 should be able to:
- Play safely and legally within game flow
- Carry and control the puck while swimming
- Make simple decisions (pass vs carry)
- Apply and handle pressure
- Provide and use support
- Participate confidently in full scrimmage
Level 2 is not structured systems hockey.
Level 2 produces reliable, connected club players.
- Keep coaching simple and game-focused
- Build decisions before complexity
- Reinforce habits under light pressure
- Use play as the main teaching tool
Do not introduce formal structure or tactics too early.
¶ Standard Session Structure
- Warm-up and movement preparation
- Fundamentals or puck control
- Decision or pressure focus
- Connection/support work
- Mini conditioned game
- Full scrimmage
All work should connect to game play.
¶ Body Position
- Hips low
- Chest up
- Eyes forward
- Stable base
Good body position underpins all skill execution.
- Kelp dive – stationary puck
- Duck dive – moving play
- Surface reset – reposition early
Correct dive choice improves timing and control.
- Controlled carry
- Direction change and curl
- Flick and recover
- Protect the puck
Control under movement is more important than speed.
- Look up before acting
- Pass when support is ahead
- Carry when space is available
- Avoid hesitation and automatic play
- Move after passing
- Stay available
- Maintain effective distance
- Create simple width and depth
- Defending: close space quickly, then hold
- Attacking: create space and follow
- No diving or over-committing
- Recover quickly when out of position
Reinforce rules during play rather than through lecture.
- Obstruction
- Free arm use
- Stick contact
- Advantage play
- Restarts and substitutions
- Players look up before acting
- Puck remains under control while moving
- Support is present and moving
- Pressure is applied without over-committing
- Players reset early when out of position
- Game flow remains safe and controlled
Assessment is continuous and based on play.
- 10 minutes warm-up
- 15 minutes fundamentals/puck control
- 15 minutes decisions/pressure
- 10 minutes support/connection
- 10 minutes mini game
- 10 minutes scrimmage
Level 2 reinforces core skill badges through play.
- Body Position
- Puck Control
- Passing
- Curling
- Support Play
Badges are observed naturally during drills and games.
¶ Exit Standard
Players must demonstrate during game play:
- Controlled puck movement
- Correct simple decisions
- Effective support and connection
- Ability to apply and handle pressure
- Safe and consistent participation in play
Assessment is observation-based during scrimmage.