All global drills
Yellow Runner Rally
Small Area Game
Puck Protection & Wall Play
Forecheck
Ice Hockey Systems
Global
Objective
The Yellow Runner Rally from John Dean teaches players to retrieve a contested rim, establish immediate support, and transition from a contested puck battle into offensive-zone possession. Once possession is earned, the three attackers form a possession triangle and use their numerical advantage to keep the offensive zone alive.
Setup
- Divide players into two teams and line them up at the tops of the circles.
- Use the tops of the circles as the boundary. Players cannot move above that line.
- Begin with three offensive players against two defenders.
- The coach rims a puck into the low ice, and the offensive players sprint to retrieve it.
- The first attacker protects the puck and uses two touches: one touch to secure it and a second after scanning the ice.
- The second attacker supports the retrieval and helps dig the puck out of pressure.
- The third attacker provides an outlet near the dot.
- Once possession is established, the attackers transition into a possession triangle: one player climbs, one supports in soft ice near the dot, and the “big man” holds the post.
- If pressure closes available options, the offense can use the back of the net to change sides and maintain possession.
- Continue playing 3 vs. 2 within the low-ice area.
- The rep ends when the coach blows the whistle, or the defense breaks it out. If a goal is scored quickly the coach can reward the forwards with another puck.
Coaching points
- Use two touches: Protect the rim with your body, secure the puck with the first touch, and scan before making the second touch.
- Support the contested puck: The second player helps at the battle while the third provides a clear outlet near the dot.
- Build a possession triangle: Once the puck is won, move from battle support into three distinct roles: climbing player, soft-ice support, and the big man at the post