Youth Skills: Picking Pucks off the Yellow — How to Retrieve Loose Pucks in Hockey

How to Retrieve Loose Pucks in Hockey Under Pressure

When you examine the game, pucks are on the wall constantly. Pucks get rimmed on the yellow, and players are forced to pick the puck off the wall and make a quality play to a teammate.

Forwards: Creating Scoring Chances

As a forward, ask yourself: how efficiently can you win a 50/50 loose puck and take it off the wall to create a scoring chance?

In this example, watch the VGK player shoulder check and put it right on the tape, leading to a goal.

Defensemen: Transporting the Puck

As a defenseman, consider: how efficiently can you take a puck off the wall and transport it through the neutral zone?

In this example, watch the COL player work for his partner and turn the net with his eyes up, leading to a controlled entry.

Key Habits: Shoulder Checking and Awareness

You want to be shoulder checking, looking twice, checking where pressure is coming from, and checking again while scanning for your teammates.

What to Think About When Picking a Puck Off the Wall

• Shoulder check while calculating your own speed and distance to the boards.

• Skate off the wall while scooping up the puck to preserve space.

• Be ready to shift your body position around the puck to keep your hands and stick free.

Watching young players attempt to scoop pucks off the wall but mishandle it tells me two things:

1. It is difficult to make a play under heavy pressure in a tight space while maintaining body positioning.

2. Players need practice with approach skating into the wall and the correct stick angle to dig the puck off the wall at full speed. More coaches should start drills with players in these situations.

Sometimes players don’t even attempt to pick the puck off the wall because it’s too risky. Other times, it’s easier to make a mistake below the offensive goal line because your team has the length of the ice to recover.

Establishing Body Position: The Cut-Off

Before picking up a puck on the wall, you often need to establish body position on the pressuring opponent by getting a “cut-off.”

A cut-off is when you create a direct skating path to the puck by engaging body contact with your opponent.

• In this example, watch the USA player at the net front utilize a cut-off to gain clear body position and get off the wall.

• In this example, watch the VGK player use a cut-off in a defensive puck retrieval situation instead of an offensive zone recovery.

Points of pressure will differ depending on zone and scenario.

Recognizing and Controlling the Race

Think of this: it’s not how fast you can skate, but how fast you can recognize that you’re in a race.

The game is played in 10-foot areas. When learning how to retrieve loose pucks in hockey, you shouldn’t skate in a straight line. Instead, establish body position in front of the most vulnerable player to the puck. Step in front of their hands and skate into their space.

Per USA Hockey rules, as a skater, you are entitled to your own skating path and space. Gaining body position allows you to slow down and feel. Once established, you can lead your opponent using tempo, direction, and speed changes.

Making the Play

Ultimately, the goal is to make a play, usually passing the puck to a teammate. After making that play, reposition yourself based on whether the puck is transitioning to offense or defense:

• Offense: join the rush.

• Defense: establish your gap to shut down the opponent.

The process repeats with every puck retrieval.

Possible Outcomes After Making a Play

• Move puck to teammate → possibly leading rush = get points

• Puck gets turned over → already in position to pressure attacking opponent = force more 50/50 loose puck retrievals

If you enjoyed this article and want to take your game to the next level, check out GoldenStick Hockey’s training programs at goldenstickhockey.com.

You can also explore our in-depth tutorials and breakdowns on our YouTube channel, and stay up to date with the latest tips, drills, and insights on the GoldenStick Hockey blog.

For personalized coaching or consulting, reach out to us through our website — we’re here to help you elevate every aspect of your hockey game.

Want to understand where high-level player development is heading?

Read our core article: The Future of Hockey Development: Remote Coaching: https://www.goldenstickhockey.com/post/the-future-of-hockey-development-remote-coaching

Ready for direct feedback on your game?

We offer a Free Player Evaluation: submit a request to get personalized insight from Nick Brusa.  

Request Free Player Evaluation

Want to go deeper? Visit our complete Hockey Player Development Guide to explore every resource, article, and strategy for helping your player grow the right way.