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Small Area Games

Split Passing Game
Half Ice Drills, Ice Hockey Drills, Passing Drills, Small Area Games

This hockey drill is a small area game with an emphasis on passing and moving without the puck.  Defensively is works on stopping starting and active sticks.  Set up a rectangle with four cones using the face off dots in the  offensive zone and neutral zone.  Players are split up into teams of two.  In each game one team is the defenders inside the box and the other two teams are on the outside with teammates on opposite sides of the box (as shown in the diagram).

Run Ragged Small Area Game
Ice Hockey Drills, Passing Drills, Small Area Games

The emphasis of this hockey drill for forwards is moving without the puck.  The emphasis for defense is stops and starts with an active stick.  The diagram shows a set up for a half ice practice, however, it can be used in a full ice situation as well. The hockey drill is set up with four cones in a square in front of the net about 20 feet apart.  Three forwards start with one puck and each player starts next to one of the cones.  The defender starts in the middle.

Middle Man - Small Area Game
Games, Ice Hockey Drills, Small Area Games

This small area game is a great way to get players thinking PASS.  It is a game that should be played 4 on 4 but can also be played 3 on 3 or 5 on 5.  Each team designates one player that must stay within the center ice circle, the "Middle Man".  In order for a team to score a goal, the team must use their "Middle Man" after a turnover at least once.  The "Middle Man" may also score without passing the puck as long as they stay within the circle.  This forces the both "Middle Men" to play defense and try to get open in a tight space.

Impossible 3 on 2
Defense Drills, Defensive Zone, Ice Hockey Drills, Small Area Games

Here is a hockey drill that focuses on defensive coverage.  It is geared towards defensive players but you could also use any player that is supposed to be down low in your own zone.  The offensive players will also have fun with this drill.  Three offensive players, two defensive players, one goalie, and one puck are required.  Set up the players as shown in the diagram, two offensive players below the goal line just inside or lined up with the face off dots.

Quarter Ice 3 vs. 3
3 on 3, Ice Hockey Drills, Small Area Games

Players and goalies tend to love this game.  It is a 3 on 3 game played in a very small area and therefore players create lots of scoring chances and goalies are very active.  The game is played using two nets, one on each end of the face off circle.  One player from each team is allowed inside the circle and is only allowed on the defensive half.  The other two players are on the offensive side of the circle but cannot go inside the circle.  Allow players to play for 45 seconds and then either switch out players or offer a rest to keep the pace of play high.

2 on 2 in Corner
2 on 2, Ice Hockey Drills, Small Area Games

This is 2 on 2 game played in tight quarters.  It is actually a great game for working on defensive coverage in front of your own net.  The only rules are that players must stay within the boundaries which are approximately shown in the diagrams and there must be at least one pass made between teamates before scoring. The puck is in play until the puck exits the boundary or is in the net.  Both teams are trying to score.

Russian 3 on 3
3 on 3, Ice Hockey Drills, Small Area Games

This is actually a good game that promotes two things: offensive creativity and defensive zone coverage.  In the diagram, the two teams are represented as Green and Blue.  Players have to stay within their section of the ice defined by the dashed red line.  To start the game, the coach puts a puck in play on either side.  It is a 3 on 3 game where forwards can score from anywhere.

Center Ice 3 on 3
3 on 3, Ice Hockey Drills, Small Area Games

This 3 on 3 game is more like a 6 on 6.  To set up place each net just inside the blue line.  Divide the players into groups of three.  Three players from each team will start out in the middle, they can go anywhere int he neutral zone, blue line to blue line.  Three more players are stationed along the blue line.  The players along the blue line have to stay within several feet of the blue line.  On the whistle, one puck is played into the middle.  Players play thr

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