Sep 21, 2026 practice at Mt. Pleasant Ice Rink
Practice Lines
Drills
Top Secret Drill (Don't Ask)
1v1 Race
1v1 race to puck Ran on both sides of the ice
SD Thomas 1 v 1, 2 v 2, 3 v 3
The SD Thomas 1 v 1 is a competitive battle game where two players play 1 against 1 in the corner of the ice. Whoever has the puck can score. Variations - Can play 1v1 or 2v2 or 3v3 - Can allow anyone with the puck to try to score, or you can create some sort of transition element that the defender has to do after they strip the puck to allow them to go on offense, one example would be to require the defense to pass the puck to the next player in line (who then passes the puck back quickly) to allow the defender to transition to offense.
- Set the net up away from the corner of the boards as shown in the diagram. - Make two lines on the sides of the face-off dot. - On the whistle, the coach chips the puck into the playing area and calls out how many players are going. - Whoever has the puck is trying to score. The defender is trying to strip the puck carrier so they can go on offense. - Coach can let the play go as long as they would like, or as soon as their is a goal.
- Player with the puck should work on puck protection and shield the puck with their body.
- The defender should keep their stick on the ice and try to create a transition by playing the body and going stick on puck.
2 vs 2 Corner Battle Tag Up
The 2 vs. 2 Corner Battle Tag up is a competitive game that requires to players protect the puck and utilize their teammates in a small area. This game has one major item to remember, during a change of possession, the team that got the puck must tag up at the goal line before they can try to score. Below we will discuss the setup, coaching points & variations. Variations - This setup can be 1 v 1 or 2 v 2. View a 1 on 1 example. - Can move the net in other areas to give the players more or less space.
- Place the net by the corner face-off dot and have it face the corner (as shown in the video & diagram). - Start the game by having a coach chip the puck into the corner while 2 players from each line jump into the playing area. - Both teams are trying to score a goal and if the defensive team gets the puck, they MUST tag up at the red line before they can shoot on net. - Have players that are not participating be on the lookout for loose pucks (they can push pucks back into the playing area) and be aware of shots. - Let players battle for 15 - 45 seconds before switching to next group. - Keep score so teams are more competitive!
- Get low to be strong on your skates.
- Protect the puck with your body.
- Communicate with your teammates.
- Defenders need to keep sticks on the ice at all time.
- Forwards without the puck need to jump to open space to be an outlet for their teammates.
3v3 Pickett Fence
3v3 - Next 4 from the hash mark are up Change possession with a pass to the coach Utilize the whole zone You can skate through the "fence," but they can hit you and steal the puck Fence - if Coaches determine the hit to be illegal or a penalty, you will skate in the neutral zone Goals: Heads-up hockey Communication Attacking the net
Gretzky 2 V 2 Switch Game
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