7 Principles for Coaches: Deception

Deception is the art of misleading your opponent, creating more time and space with the puck during games.

7 COACHING PRINCIPLES: Skating | Puck Control | Vision & Scanning | Deception | Creative & Dynamic | Angling | Goaltending

Deception is the art of misleading your opponent, making them believe you’re going one way when you’re planning to escape in another. This can be a game-changer, creating more time and space with the puck, helping you out-maneuver the opposition and capitalize on opportunities that can turn the tide of a game.

Creating Time & Space

A primary benefit of using deception is the creation of time and space. By deceiving your opponent, you can make them hesitate or commit to a direction, giving you the precious seconds needed to execute your next move.

Vision & Scanning

Successful deception isn’t just about the moves you make; it’s also about vision and awareness. Before attempting a deceptive maneuver, it’s crucial to develop good scanning habits—constantly reading the play, assessing the position of defenders and identifying the safest areas of the ice.

Teaching Deception at All Age Levels

For younger players, deception introduces creativity and critical thinking, allowing them to explore the game in a fun, dynamic way while building confidence and laying the foundation for more advanced techniques as they develop. For older, more experienced players, deception becomes an essential element of elevating their game. Incorporating deception into practice from a young age helps players build the instincts and awareness needed for long-term success.

Here are three drills you can use in practice with all age groups to teach deception:

Drill #1 – Three Line Deception

• Put players in two or three lines in each end zone. (Goalies/Goalie coach can use NZ for skating skills.
• Players start near the hashmarks and skate to blue line to perform the move and then skate back to the back of the line.
• Maximize repetitions and use progressions for players to create deception, quick hands and puck control skills.
• Forwards and defence perform same skills.
• Coaches are encouraged to be creative with this template.

Drill #2 – Puck Control – Wall Retrieval – Stick Fakes

• Place pucks near the hashmark.
• Player B dumps a puck into the corner for Player A to retrieve.
• Player A shoulder checks and incorporate a head, stick or foot fake to escape, then proceeds to net for a shot.
• Player B provide soft pressure.

Drill #3 – Shooting – Fake pass – Off-wing shot

• Players start lined up, side by side, in the middle of the ice at the blue line.
• Players cross and proceed together towards the net.
• Using deception, show a pass and take a shot.
• Use deception, show a shot and make a pass.

The Hockey Canada Network gives coaches and players the tools to succeed with drills, skills, videos, practice plans and articles on their tablet or phone. There are over 1,500 drills and more than 100 lesson plans available.

Looking for more skills and drills? Hockey Canada frequently posts skill videos on its social channels that can be incorporated into practice plans. Search the #HCSkillsCoach and #HCGoalieCoach on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok to find more drill videos to utilize on the ice.