Global drill library

2 v 2 Net Front Corner Battles with Support is a competitive 2 v 2 small area game from the 2025 Buffalo Sabres Development Camp that practices corner and net front battles. The design of this drill encourages players to win the puck battle and pass it to the point for support and a shot, tip or redirect on net. Setup - Nets are in the corner as shown in the diagram. - Each team has 2 players at the point, 2 players in zone, and 1 goalie. - The drill begins with a coach flipping the puck into the zone. - Each team is working to retrieve the puck and score on the opposing teams net, while the defending team is working to get the puck back so they can score on the other net. - Coaches can require the defense to have to pass the puck to the point before they can transition to offense, or they can allow the defense to immediately attack the other teams goal. Variations - Coaches can require the defense to have to pass the puck to the point before they can transition to offense, or they can allow the defense to immediately attack the other teams goal. - Coaches can require the defense to only look for passes and redirects and no shots. - Coaches can require the defense to one touch or two touch everything so the puck is not sitting at the point. - Coaches can only allow the defense to go d to d once or twice (if they allow them to go back and fourth unlimited times it can slow the game down) - This drill is a variation of Defend Net Front Progression With 2 Point Players, which sets up the two goals on the goal line and gives the players more space but works on similar concepts and would be better for younger age levels.

Small area 3 v 2 game built around holding onto pucks under pressure with a numerical advantage.

The 4 Corner Possession Game (with Offensive Advantage) is a fun small area game that encourages players to use their teammates in the corners for support. The setup of this game allows for a lot of creativity. - Offensive players should focus on give & goes, using their point players, and net front presence to create tips, deflections, and react to rebounds. The defending team should focus on boxing out in front, keeping their sticks on the ice to block passing lanes, and react quickly to clear rebounds. Setup - Two nets back to back in the center of the zone (as shown in the diagram) - 2 v 2 and each team has 2 extra support players in their offensive end - The support players must stay in their boundary (can be cones or tires) - Coach dumps puck in to start - Change players every 30 - 45 seconds - the 2 v 2 players can rotate to become support players, then rotate out - The defensive point players can only go d to d once then they must shoot or pass to a forward (they can not keep passing d to do over and over) - The defensive point players can only hold onto the puck for 3 seconds (or less). - Keep score! Variations - Can set up to be 2 v 2 (as shown above) or 3 v 3 - Can set up Defensive Advantage - see video here - (place the support players on the defensive side of their zone) - Can set up Cross-Ice Advantage (place one support player on the defensive side and one support player on the offensive side, but have them on the same side of the ice so they can make cross-ice passes) - Can set up Cross-Ice Advantage Mixed (place one support player on the defensive side and one support player on the offensive side, but place them on opposite corners of the ice so they can NOT make cross-ice passes)

A continuous 2 vs. 2 small area hockey game that puts the defenders at a disadvantage since they will be double shifting. The defense will be tired so it is extra important that they communicate with each other, focus on good positioning and habits. Setup: - 2 defenders start at the blue line and 2 forwards start in the center ice circle. - Game starts with the coach passing the puck to one of the 2 forwards (this begins the 2 vs. 2). - Forwards try to keep possession of the puck and score. - The defenders try to defend and can end the game by skating the puck out of the zone or passing the puck to the forwards that are next in line. - If a goal is scored, or the goalie freezes the puck, or the puck goes out of play, the coach has the option to chip another puck in the zone, or pass to the next forwards in line. - When the shift ends (either with a goal, the defense getting the puck out of the zone, or a coach's whistle), the forwards switch to defense and the new forwards start the 2 vs. 2. - Keep Score: 3 points for a goal, 2 points for the defense skating the puck out of the zone, 1 point for the defense passing the puck out of the zone, and 0 points if the coach blows the whistle and changes lines. Variations: - Can be set up on 1/4 ice (view animation here). - Can be 1v1 (view example), 2v2, 3v3 (view example), or 4v4. - Can add "gates" (like Picket Fences 2v2) at the point that the defenders must skate through.

The Designated Shooters Umbrella Power Play Game engages a lot of players at once, and encourages puck movement, and battles in front of the net. The game can be played 2 v 2 or 3 v 3, and you can modify the game to have 2 or 3 point players. Setup - Place nets back to back inside the zone. - Set up 3 "Umbrella" point players at the point on each sides of the ice. - Set up a 2 v 2 or 3 v 3 game inside the zone. - On the whistle, coach chips the puck into the zone and the players battle out 2 v 2 or 3 v 3. - Players are encouraged to use their point players for give and gos, one timers, and tips in front of the net. Variations - Can set the game up to only have 2 point players instead of 3. - Can play 2 v 2 or 3 v 3 inside the zone. - Can award 2 points for a goal off of a one timer.

The Fran Gow 3 on 2 and 3 on 3 small area game focuses on controlling pucks off the wall, creating time and space, and attacking the net with purpose. Players learn to manage pressure, roll off defenders, protect the puck, and make quick decisions in tight areas while defenders work on stick on puck and box outs. Drill Setup - Place a net just above the hashmarks or along the ringette line if available. Establish a goal line across the ice with the net facing the end boards. - Start with three offensive players and two defensive players. You can add a third defender to make it three on three for additional compete. - Each offensive group receives three pucks. The first and third pucks are rimmed in by the coach on their side. The second puck is rimmed by the coach on the opposite side. - On each whistle a coach rims a puck around the boards. Offense must retrieve it, control it off the wall, and attack the net. Any time a puck crosses the line, enters the net, or is covered by the goalie, the next whistle starts the next puck. Coaching Points - Offense: Coaching Points - Defense: Coaching Points - General Concepts: Variations - Can place net on goal line, on the hashmarks (as shown in diagram) or on top of circles - Can play 3 v 2 or 3 v 3

This small area game is played from the top of the circles and below. The coach has the pucks in the middle of the ice and the players are split into two teams and lines up at the top of the circles to define the boudary. How the game is played - The coach will dump a puck in and designate one team to have 3 players join the game while the other team will have two. The team that has three players must always have one player below the goal line. They can rotate players behind the net but they must always have 1 behind the net.

Picket Fences is a great small area hockey game that can be setup as a 2 vs. 2 or 3 vs. 3 game. The offensive team gets 2 points for scoring a goal and the defensive team gets 1 point by skating the puck between the tires. Game: Objective: Play a Game up to a certain Number (1 point for the Defensive Team skating the puck between the tires & 2 points for the Offensive Team when they score) - When the whistle blows, three players in White (Offensive) get a puck from coach while three players in Red (Defensive) being to defend - The team in White attempts to score while the Team in Red attempts to steal the puck & skate it between the tires - The coach allows the players to compete for 20-30 seconds - There is NO change of possession (White is offense the entire shift) - When the next whistle blows, three new players enter from the White and Red team - Now, Red is on Offense and White is on Defense - Coach can give a new puck to the Offensive Team if: - If the goalie covers the puck - If the puck goes out of play - A goal is scored - The defensive team skates the puck between the tires Principles: The brilliance of this game is both teams are attempting to ‘score’ while one attacks the goalie & one aims for possession to skate the puck between the tires. The game incorporates: - Defending 3v3 (in a condensed space) - Once the Defenders gain possession of the puck, they must thinking ‘offensively’ to skate/get open to score a Goal (skate puck between tires) - Communication with other teammates is essential so each defender can operate in a ‘man on man’ scenario - Attacking 3v3 (in a condensed space) - The offensive players are can either challenge a defender 1v1 with the puck or try to isolate and create a 2v1 on a defender - Player without the puck must work to get open, drive net or create space for teammates - Must find a way to create space & opportunities to get off a quality shot with pressure - ‘Play after the Play’ – anticipate loose puck/rebounds and regain possession for more offensive zone time with the puck - Players must constantly talk & perceive the ever changing environment to solve problems as they happen (both offensively & defensively) Related Game / Variation The picket fences 3 vs 3 uses the full zone and incorporates 2 gates. This way the defenders can use deception or are forced to use another option in order to carry the puck through the gates.

Puck protection with interchanges: heads up, brains on, leading with the puck and creating space.

The Box Game from Brad Flynn is a small area game that works on quick decision making, transitions, give & goes and net front play. Setup - Teams line up at the blue line. - Coach dumps a puck in the corner, which starts an in zone 2 on 2. - The 3rd person in each line jumps into the zone at the point and they are the "slide player" at the blue line. They are allowed to go to the boards, to the coach. The slide player can pass or shoot. - Anytime there is a change of possession, the team that got the puck must pass to their slide player and work to get open, or get to the front of the net. - Part 2 progression option: Coaches can move the slide players up to the tops of the circle, so there is a smaller amount of space, which will require quicker decision making and give the slide players more opportunities for quick shots to the net. Variations - Can reduce the playing area as shown in the video - Can make this a 2 v 2 or 3 v 3 game.

The Tomas Holmstrom Small Area Game from Spiros Anastas is a competitive net front battle drill designed to teach offensive players how to get inside for screens, tips, and rebounds while defenders work on box outs, containment, and blocking shots. A shooter fires from the top of the circles as players fight for positioning inside a defined box. Drill Setup - Draw a box from just inside the dots and hashmarks up to the top of the circles and back down to the goal line. Drill Setup - Players: Drill Setup - 3 offensive players inside the game - 2 defensive players with the option to add a third to increase difficulty or emphasize shot blocking - 1 shooter positioned outside the box at the top of the circles Drill Setup - Place 5 pucks outside the box for five consecutive reps. Drill Setup - On each whistle all offensive players must tag up outside any boundary of the box which can include the goal line, the sides, or the high line. Defenders do not tag up but must track where attackers enter. The shooter can only shoot after the whistle but may delay to wait for a screen or tip. Shots only with no direct passes. After five reps switch offense and defense and keep score. Coaching Points - Offense: Coaching Points - Defense: Coaching Points - Shooter: Coaching Points - Goalie: Variations - Can make it 3 v 2 or 3 v 3 - Can require the defenseman to shoot further away - Can allow the defenseman to pass for redirects or one timers Variations - View more drills and content from Spiros Anastas

The Union Scoring Small Area Game from Topher Scott is a fun small area game where teams can score on either net. The unique setup of the nets promotes creativity, thinking outside of the box to create time & space and score goals. Setup - Coach chips the puck into the zone or passes to one of the players to begin the 3 vs. 3 game. - Players can score on either net. - Game can be stopped when a goal is scored, the goalie freezes the puck, or the coach blows the whistle. Keep score!