HYHA Skills
At Hamden Youth Hockey Association (HYHA) our skills program serves as the cornerstone of development for young athletes, transforming dedication into proficiency on the ice. Tailored for participants at every stage—from novice players to experienced competitors—our structured weekly sessions emphasize core competencies, including dynamic power skating, precise edge control, advanced puck handling, and collaborative drills that foster technical expertise, resilience, and teamwork. Beyond routine training, this program cultivates the confidence and discipline essential for long-term success in hockey.
Small Station Session
6 Station Circuit perfect for 08U Mites & 10U Squirts who excel when they move, compete, and score. Quick rotation → ZERO standing around!
Our 6-STATION CIRCUIT designed for our younger Dragons!
- D to D Shooting → passing & shooting
- 1 vs 1 Tire Touch → small area compete
- Easy Puck Control → puck control & movement
- Circle Passing → quick passing & play
- Drive The Net → edge work & net drive shooting
- Puck Race → fun compete & shooting
Power Skating Session
Every kids favorite - skating & edge work! Skating and edge work are the foundation of everything we do in hockey. Master your edges and you’ll unlock faster speed, tighter turns, better balance, and ultimately become a much more confident and dominant player on the ice!
Power Skating for our older Dragons
- Outside / Inside → one leg edge work & backwards weaving
- Backwards Forwards Pivots → edge & c-cut work
- Tire Jumps → body control & balance work
- Edge to Crossover → both edges, explosive crossovers
- Side Puck Control → puck control with body position
- Dragon Six Shooter → 8 player passing & shooting
Shooting Sessions
Our Shooting Clinic empowers young Dragons with targeted drills that sharpen accuracy, build explosive power, and enhance quick-release techniques. By emphasizing movement, small-area battles, and high-pressure scenarios, participants gain the confidence and precision needed to dominate offensively, fostering skills that translate directly to competitive play and lifelong hockey passion.
Shooting Clinic - session focused on shooting!
- Two Shot Puck Control → shooting with movement & off the pass
- Small Area One-timer → small area quick one time shooting
- Neutral Zone Speed → shooting off the crossover
- All Star Shooting → stationary quick shooting
- D to D Slapshots → slapshot work from the point
- 6 Puck Shootout → fun end to practice & dekes
Multiple Skill Target Session
Our 6-Station Circuit ignites well-rounded skills in our players through dynamic, fast-paced drills that tackle net drives, puck protection, explosive passes, edge work, and battle-ready shooting. This high-energy rotation eliminates downtime, sparking competition and creativity on the ice—building the agility, decision-making, and grit essential for game-changing plays and a enduring love for hockey.
Skills Clinic - session with multiple areas of focus!
- Wrap Net Battle → attacking around the net
- Low High Pass & Shoot → quick pass & movement shooting
- Small Area 1 vs 1 → small area game situation
- Puck Race → fun compete & shooting
- Small Area Puck Control → puck control & edge work
- Pivot Pass Shooting → backward skating, pivots, shooting
Full Ice Neutral Zone Work
This full ice session in the neutral zone hits multiple skills - from puck protection to explosive passes, battles, and sniper shots. Multiple iterations keep the intensity building, with quick rotations to maintain that fire!
Full Ice Session - a full ice session across multiple skills!
- Power Skating → full ice stride work
- Overspeed Skating → skating & crossovers
- Neutral Zone Work → neutral zone puck control
- Circle Gap Control → small area game situation
- Activation 3 vs 3 → fun compete game