Mastering Rim Play: Why It’s a Crucial Skill in Hockey and How to Practice It

Kevin Geist
Jul 7
3 min read

In the fast-paced, physical world of hockey, seemingly small details can make a massive difference. One of those often overlooked yet essential components is rim play—the ability to effectively manage and react to the puck when it’s sent along the boards, or “rimed,” around the zone.

While it may not be as flashy as a toe drag or one-timer, rim play is a critical skill at all levels of the game. Whether you're a forward trying to trap the puck on the wall, a defenseman retrieving under pressure, or a goalie helping your D, mastering rim situations leads to better zone exits, cleaner entries, and more consistent puck possession. Here’s why every player should be working on rim play in practice:

🧊 1. It Happens All. The. Time.

Rimming the puck is one of the most common ways teams move the puck up ice or around the offensive zone, especially under pressure. It's a safe, strategic way to relieve pressure or create space. Players need to be comfortable retrieving or controlling rimmed pucks in all zones—because if you can’t handle the wall, you’ll struggle to maintain possession.

🔁 2. Rim Play is All About Retrieval and Reaction

In many rim situations, the defending team is on the hunt. Players must react quickly, communicate effectively, and read pressure fast. Practicing these scenarios improves a player’s ability to:

Retrieve pucks under pressure
Make quick decisions (pass, chip, reverse, hold)
Use the body to protect the puck along the boards

This leads to smoother breakouts and more controlled transitions.

🎯 3. Wall Work = Winning Battles

Rim plays often lead to contested battles along the boards. Players who excel in these areas know how to win races, absorb contact, and protect the puck with poise. Practice helps develop:

Strong edgework and balance along the boards
Stick positioning for puck pickups
Body positioning to shield and separate

These battles are what coaches love to call the “dirty work”—but they’re how games are won.

🧠 4. Offensive Creativity Starts on the Wall

In the offensive zone, rim plays can be used to shift the defense, create soft spots, or get pucks to the point. Forwards who can read the play and execute bump passes, curls, or slip-outs off the wall can generate dangerous scoring chances. It all starts with confidence on the boards.

🔨 5. Goalies and Defensemen Need Reps Too

For D and goalies, rim play is key to seamless breakouts. Defensemen must make quick decisions on puck retrievals and shoulder checks, while goalies play a huge role in stopping rims behind the net and communicating with their D.

Practicing rim retrievals helps D-men read forechecks, escape cleanly, and make better outlet passes—skills that separate good players from elite ones.

How to Work on Rim Play in Practice:

Drills with live forecheck pressure
Board retrieval circuits with shoulder checks
Game-like breakouts with rim starts
Low-to-high offensive zone drills starting with rimmed pucks
Goalie-D communication reps behind the net

Bottom Line:

Rim play isn’t just about reacting—it’s about anticipating, executing, and creating. Players who are confident on the wall make their team faster, smarter, and more dangerous. So don’t skip the “boring” wall drills—they're laying the foundation for smarter, more effective hockey.

Make rim play a staple in your training, and watch how much cleaner, calmer, and more effective your game becomes.