This small area game is a great battle and compete drill for players to work on their small area protection and movement.
SETUP:
- This drill is a half ice drill; there can be a net in its usual position although it will not be used in the drill.
- There can either be an "Imaginary Line" or a coach could use a marker and draw a line just through the tops of a circle on one side of the half ice.
- The players and coaches should be just in the middle of the ice, and the six players ready to go can be in the zone, each set of three on their side of the line to start.
HOW THE DRILL WORKS:
- An important rule before the game starts: In each player's side of the line, they can have all three of their players but when on the defensive side, only two players can cross and play defense. It will be a 3v2 on each side of the line.
- A puck will be dumped in, and the players will play it. When in their offensive zone they will use all three players to protect the puck, pass, and find passing lanes to keep it away from the defensive players. When in the defensive zone however, they will do their best to get the puck back over onto their side of the line.
COACHING POINTS:
- An important piece of this drill is battle and compete, when playing defensively and battling for the puck, the players should be very aggressive, with stick on puck and continuing to move their feet.
- Offensively, players should work on keeping their eyes and chest up, moving their feet to find passing lanes and support for their partners, and being aware to make sure someone is always staying back on their side of the line.
This video was from the Buffalo Sabres 2023 Dev Camp. A huge thanks to the Buffalo Sabres for making these practices public and sharing them with the hockey world.
