The Big Man Cycle 2 on 1 from John Dean is a 3 part drill that helps players practice using the boards and net to protect the puck in an offensive situation and ends with a full ice 2 on 1.
Setup
- Set up lines of forwards & defense on opposite ends of the ice.
- Whistle # 1: Coach chips puck into the corner. One forward goes to retrieve the puck, while the other forward goes to be the "Big Man" next to the net. The defender applies light pressure to the puck carrier.
- Whistle # 2: The puck is wrapped along the boards by the puck carrier. The "Big Man" next to the post, picks up the puck along the boards, this starts a 2 on 1 down low. It is encouraged to use the net as protection. Coach should let the 2 on 1 play out, before the coach blows a 3rd whistle.
- Whistle # 3: The in zone 2 on 1 stops, the Coach chips a puck outside of the blue line which creates a full ice 2 on 1. The defender in the zone gaps up with the oncoming forwards.
Coaching Points
- In part 1 & 2 of the drill, the forwards should utilize the boards and the net to protect the puck and create space from the defender. The defender should keep their stick on the ice to block passing lanes.
- In part 3 of the drill, the full ice 2 on 1, the defender should work to get up ice, pivot backwards and match the oncoming forwards speed.
