Hockey tryouts are nerve-wracking — for players and parents alike. But here’s the thing: anxiety shrinks when preparation grows. If your child spends the off-season working on the right skills, they’ll step onto the ice at evaluations feeling confident, ready, and coachable — three things every coach is looking for.
This guide breaks down the 8 essential skills players should develop before minor hockey tryouts, with specific drills and tips for each one.
If you’re not sure what coaches are specifically looking for, check out our guide to the 8 Most Common Hockey Evaluation Criteria before reading on.
1. Skating
If there’s one skill that can make or break a tryout, it’s skating. Coaches notice immediately who can move efficiently on the ice and who can’t — and no amount of stickhandling or hockey sense can compensate for weak skating.
Players should be comfortable with forward and backward skating, crossovers in both directions, and explosive starts. But beyond the basics, what coaches are really watching for is edge control and full extension. A player who powers through each stride with proper technique stands out from one who shuffles their feet.
What to work on:
- Forward skating with full stride extension and proper arm swing
- Backward skating with deep knee bend and correct ankle pivot
- Forward and backward crossovers with strong edge control
- Explosive starts from a stationary position
Off-season skating sessions, even once or twice a week — can make a significant difference by the time tryouts arrive.
2. Passing and Receiving
Hockey is a team sport, and coaches are evaluating whether a player makes their linemates better. A player who can deliver a crisp, accurate pass and receive one cleanly under pressure is invaluable.
Players should practice both forehand and backhand passes, saucer passes, and ideally one-touch passes at more advanced levels. Equally important is the ability to get open to receive a pass — showing awareness and hockey sense, not just technical ability.
3. Puck Control and Stickhandling
Puck control separates players who are dangerous with the puck from those who turn it over under pressure. During tryouts, players will often be evaluated on how comfortable they look handling the puck at speed and in tight spaces.
Key skills to develop include:
- Lateral, front-to-back, and diagonal stickhandling
- Puck protection along the boards
- Toe drags and direction changes with the puck
- Accelerating through open ice while maintaining control
- Backward puck control
Work on these skills both on ice and with a ball on dryland. The more touches a player gets, the more natural it becomes.
4. Shooting and Scoring
Coaches want players who can finish. Even if a player isn’t a goal scorer by nature, demonstrating a hard, accurate shot shows hockey instincts and competitive drive.
Players should arrive at tryouts comfortable with wrist shots, backhand shots, and flip shots. More advanced players should also prepare snap shots, slap shots, shot fakes, and shots off deflections and rebounds. Being able to shoot quickly and accurately in close to the goal is a major asset.
5. Checking
What’s expected here depends heavily on age and experience level.
Younger players are typically evaluated on gap control, body positioning, and poke checks. As players move into older age groups, coaches look for angling, stick press technique, and the ability to both deliver and absorb body contact safely. At the highest minor hockey levels, shoulder checks, body checks, and hip checks all come into play.
If your child is moving into a division where body contact is introduced for the first time, make sure they’re practicing receiving checks just as much as delivering them.
6. Defense
Players often over-invest in offensive skills heading into tryouts and neglect the defensive side of the game. That’s a mistake. Coaches at every level need players who can get back, protect the middle of the ice, and compete in their own zone.
Defensive skills to work on before tryouts:
- Gap control and angling
- Backchecking and forechecking
- 1-on-1 and 2-on-1 defensive situations
- Shot blocking
- Protecting the center of the ice
More advanced players should also be able to transition quickly from offense to defense and demonstrate zone-specific defensive tactics. Showing a coach you care about defense signals maturity and coachability — two traits that can tip a close evaluation in your favor.
7. Goaltending
At the youngest levels, most clubs rotate all players through the goalie position to support overall development. As players begin to specialize, they need to focus on positioning, proper stance, angling, and lateral movement.
Advanced goaltenders should be prepared to handle the puck behind the net, control rebounds, and demonstrate puck skills like forehand and backhand passing and clearing. Goaltenders who can play the puck confidently are increasingly valued at higher levels.
8. Endurance and Fitness
Skill means nothing if a player is gassing out by the second drill. Coaches run evaluations hard — and they notice who’s pushing through fatigue and who’s coasting.
In the off-season, players should follow a cardio program that builds stamina through skating, running, or cycling. Older players should also incorporate strength training to improve power and durability on the ice. Even simple dryland routines done consistently over the summer will produce noticeable results come tryout time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Coaches evaluate skating ability, compete level, hockey sense, coachability, and how well a player performs under pressure. Technical skills matter, but attitude and effort are equally important.
For a deeper breakdown, see our guide to the 8 Most Common Hockey Evaluation Criteria.
Ideally, preparation begins at the start of the off-season — typically April or May for fall tryouts. That gives players 4-6 months to develop skills, build fitness, and feel confident heading into evaluations.
layers should bring all required equipment, arrive early enough to dress and warm up, and come with a positive, coachable attitude. Nervousness is normal — preparation is the best cure.
Players should only practice checking appropriate to their age and division rules. Focus on body positioning, gap control, and poke checks at younger levels. Body contact drills should always be done safely and under supervision.
Planning your upcoming hockey season? TeamGenius makes tryout evaluations easier for coaches, parents, and players. Score and rank athletes in real time, eliminate paperwork, and make confident roster decisions — all from your phone.
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