Global drill library

Shooting from the boards is a low percentage play if you're trying to score on the first shot. It happens! I witnessed it against my team just the other night in fact. But what it's really good for is creating chaos in front of the net. That said, if we can shoot from the low slot, that's a higher percentage play, right? The problem is that we have to get the puck there first, and the other team also knows it's a higher percentage play. So let's combine the two. I wanted a simple small sided game that focuses on wall play under pressure. Let's get it off the wall and into the middle of the ice for a higher percentage chance. And if that's not available? Let's keep the defenders honest.

The 3 on 3 Transition Game from Cail MacLean is a high tempo 3 on 3 small area game that encourages quick offense. Variations - Can play 3 on 3 in zone (as shown), or 2 on 2 half ice, or 2 on 2 quarter ice, or 1 on 1 quarter ice. - Can have players line up in different areas of the ice (tops of circles, blue line, center ice, etc).

4v3+1 with the dot lanes marked with the industrial strength sharpie

Objective The Brooksy Utah Mammoth from John Dean helps players develop competitive habits for winning loose pucks, cutting through an opponent’s hands, and making the next play immediately. The drill progresses from a puck race into a quick 2 vs. 1, followed by a rim retrieval under pressure and a 2 vs. 2. Variations - You can have the last players in line on both sides of the ice be the person who rims the puck instead of the coach. - Coaches can place the puck race in different areas of the ice. - Coaches can place the support players in different areas of the ice.

4v4 3 in High Ice SSG 1 net, 1 endzone game On change of possession, at least 3 of 4 players must get above the line before attacking downhill Highlights high ice possession and elements of creating confusion through high ice actions

The Gretzky 2 vs. 2 Switch game from Kendall Coyne Schofield is a great small area game that has a modification to the normal Gretzky 2 v 2 Game: the "Gretzky" behind the net can switch with active players at any point, so long as at least one player is behind the goal line. This modification allows more options for player to create offense and encourages exchanges and switches. - In a half ice setup, place two nets facing each other in opposite face off circles. - Have a 2 vs. 2 in the middle of the ice. - Each team has 1 player behind the net in their offensive zone. They can not go in front of the net unless one of their 2 teammates activates a switch - To start, coach can pass a puck, take a shot on net, or chip it in the middle of the ice for a battle. - Keep score! - Offensive players: - Players in the middle of the ice: work on give and go's and exchanges with your teammates and your "Gretzky" - Players behind the net: know where you want to pass to before you get the puck. Use the net as protection and get creative. Communicate with your teammates on opportunities you can create through switches - Defensive players: - Head on a swivel and know where all of the players are. - Keep stick on ice to block passing lanes. Variations - Can be 2v2 or 3v3 in the middle of the ice - Can allow 2 "Gretzky's" - Can require players to only hold the puck for 1 or 2 seconds or a whistle is blown

Objective Ride The Bull is a small area game from Matt Thomas that works on developing puck protection and possession skills under pressure. Teams must protect the puck, use their teammates, and keep possession for 8 seconds. If they are able to accomplish this, they are awarded a 3rd teammate and each teams begin game play to try to score on the opposing teams net. Variations - Can play 1v1, 2v2, or 3v3 - and the winning team is awarded an extra player. - Can change up the amount of time required to hold the puck on to.

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.