1 v 1 Race to Puck to 2 v 2

Print / Download
https://vimeo.com/1099383084
1 v 1 Race to Puck to 2 v 2
By: Ice Hockey Systems
Ice Hockey Systems

The 1 v 1 Race to Puck to 2 v 2 Drill is a competitive drill from the 2025 Sabres Development Camp that helps players work on races to pucks, puck battles, rush attack and backchecking concepts. 

Setup

  • On the whistle, 2 players race to the puck at center ice while their teammates are on opposite neutral zone face off dots.
  • The player who wins the puck battle passes to their teammate at the dot, which begins a 2 v 1 rush. The losing team is on defense and the losing team player at the other dot bachecks, which creates an in zone 2 v 2.
  • Coaches can let the 2 v 2 play out where the offense is trying to score and the defense is working to create a turnover and get the puck out of the zone.
  • Optional part 2 of drill: on the second whistle, a coach at the point can fire a shot on net to begin a 2 v 2 net front battle.
    • Coaches can let the original offensive team from part 1 of the drill to still be on offense, or can have it switch so they are on defense, or you can create a second race where whoever wins this puck battle from the point shot is on offense.

Coaching Points

  • Encourage players to first get good body position on the opposing player during the race and have a strong stick to pass the puck to their teammate.
  • The players on the dots should be anticipating the play and be ready to jump on offense or backcheck quickly.

Variations

  • Coaches can change up where this race starts or where the puck is placed.
  • Can decide to include part 2 of the drill with the point shot or just end with the original 2 v 2.
  • 3 v 3 Progression from Topher Scott on X: "I’d love to see this drill add a 3rd player for each team. Once the puck hits the offensive blue line it triggers one more player for each team to hop in the rep. Could potentially add an escape element to it offensively buying time for the late player (puck protection too). Sort out/communicate defensively."
  • Races and puck battles are a huge part of the game, if you are interested in seeing more drills that start out with a race, view our blog: 10 Racing Drills to Increase Competition, Speed, Skills & Fun