Sep 30, 2026 practice at Reisterstown Ice Rink
Practice Lines
Drills
2 on 1 Preds
The 2 v 1 Preds drill from Jim Midgley focuses on quick offensive plays around the net, tracking habits, and transition offense. The drill begins with a tight 2-on-1 play down low where forwards try to create a quick scoring chance. Immediately after the play, one forward tracks back to pressure the coach and regain possession, leading into a regroup and a long 2-on-1 rush back up the ice. How It Works - On the whistle, the two forwards attack the defenseman in a tight 2 v 1 down low. - The forwards can use a quick exchange, scissor play, or short pass to create a scoring chance. - The goal is to make a quick play to the net and get a shot. - After the play, one forward immediately tracks back to pressure the coach and attempt to steal the puck. - The other forward works to get back inside the ice and support the play. - If the forwards regain the puck, they pass to the defenseman who quickly regroups the puck back to the forwards. - The forwards then attack up the ice in a long 2 v 1 rush against the original defenseman. Key Concepts - Quick offensive plays around the net - Tracking and puck pressure - Transition play - Regroup habits - 2-on-1 rush decision making
- The drill can be run out of both ends of the rink. - Two forwards begin low in the zone with one defenseman defending. - A coach is positioned higher in the zone to initiate the tracking portion of the drill. - The drill is whistle controlled by the coach.
- Encourage quick puck movement in the down-low 2-on-1.
- Attack the net with fast decision making.
- Track hard after the play to apply pressure and recover the puck.
- Defensemen should work to recover inside position and defend the rush.
- Focus on quick transition from offense to defense and back to offense.
Defensive Zone Walkthrough
Note: Box + 1 walkthrough into regroup 3v2 watch attached video
Yellow Runner Rally
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.
- 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.
- 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
Ride The Bull
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.
- Begin with a 2 vs. 2 small-area game. - The coach dumps a puck into the playing area, and all four players compete for possession. - Once a team gains possession, the coach begins counting aloud to eight. - The team may pass the puck between teammates but must maintain possession for eight consecutive seconds. - If possession changes, the count resets and the opposing team begins its own eight-second count. - The first team to maintain possession for eight seconds adds a third player, creating a 3 vs. 2. - After the 3rd player is added, continue playing both ways for approximately 15–20 seconds or for the coach’s preferred amount of time.
- Protect before attacking: Do not expose the puck or immediately force a play toward the net. Use your body and positioning to maintain possession under pressure.
- Use available support: Move the puck to your partner when defenders close to prevent possession from breaking down.
- Buy time to create an advantage: Maintain possession long enough for the third player to join the attack and create a 3 vs. 2.
Battle Creek 2 on 2
Objective Battle Creek 2 on 2 from Matt Thomas helps players develop puck protection and strong-side escapes from below the goal line, along with transitions and regroups to rush attacks. The drill also teaches defensemen to regain their gap through the middle, and defend while staying connected. Variations - Can make this 3/4 ice or 1/2 ice.
- Set up four offensive players and two defending players. The drill can be run using half ice or continued through both ends. - The coach rims a weighted puck into the corner to create a 1 vs. 1 battle for possession. - The offensive player protects the puck and must work above the goal line before activating the defensemen or their weak side teammates. - Once activated, the defensemen can move the puck D-to-D or quickly direct it toward the net. - The coach determines how long to continue the net-front play. Rebounds may remain live, while a missed net can end the sequence immediately. - On the whistle, the coach places a second puck near the far faceoff dot. - The two defensemen retrieve and transition the puck using a D-to-D pass, a middle-lane option, or the team’s preferred breakout pattern. - The two forwards come up to provide passing options, with the coach determining whether they must use the weak side or have freedom to read the play. - After moving the puck to the forwards, the defensemen regap through the middle and defend the resulting 2 vs. 2. - When running the drill full ice, the defensemen continue to the opposite end after the rush to begin the next repetition. The drill can end after one rush when using half ice.
- Escape the battle with possession: Move your feet, protect the puck, and spin off contact to work from below the goal line into a stronger offensive position.
- Become available in transition: Forwards should provide clear outlets while supporting the puck through the dot lane or the team’s preferred breakout routes.
- Regap together: Defensemen should recover through the middle, read the developing rush, and stay connected as they defend the 2 vs. 2.
Note: we are going to modify and do this 3v2
Ten Puck shootout
Note: Losing team does pushups