Defensemen skate backward most of the time. Forwards do too when they’re tracking play. Backward skating uses the same C-cut motion as forward, just inverted. Hard at first, fast once it clicks.
What you need: Full gear, ice rink.
Setup: Skater at one blue line. Open lane behind them.
How to run it:
- Cue: knees bent, weight on the heels, hips low.
- Inside edges push out and forward, tracing an inverted C.
- The body moves backward as the feet push.
- Skate backward to the other blue line.
- Stop. Skate backward to the start. Do 5 trips.
What to watch: Are they leaning forward? Backward skating with the chest up makes the skater fall. Lean slightly back, weight on the heels.
If they’re struggling: Hold a stick across the ice for balance. Or just glide backward on two feet (no push) until it feels safe.
If they’ve got it: Add a defender shape: chest up, hands on the stick, eyes scanning. Now they’re a real defender.
Gear for this drill (affiliate)
Hockey pucks (6-pack) → — regulation pucks for drills and scrimmage.
Youth hockey stick → — Franklin Ripper, flex rated for young players.
Full hockey gear guide → — all picks by age, sport, and level.
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