The RPI 2 on 2 shared by Jeff Meredith is a continuous 2 on 2 small area game with a focus on defending the blue line.
Setup
- Start the game with 2 defenders inside the blue line and lines of players on the outside of the blueline along the boards.
- On the whistle, the first two player in opposite lines start. One player has a puck and they both skate through the center ice face-off dot before attacking the blue line.
- The defensive players communicate with each other and work to angle and kill the play before they are able to enter the zone to start an in-zone 2 on 2.
- The offensive team is working to score, while the defending team is working to gain possession of the puck and break it out to the next two player in the blue line. When the puck is passed to two new players, the defenders rotate out and now the players that were previously playing offense are now working to defend the blue line and the 2 on 2.
- The drill is continuous and all players should get reps at both offense and defense.
Coaching Points
- Defense:
- Work on good gaps, angles and stick position. Keep sticks on the ice to block passing lanes and to angle the offensive team to the outside of the ice.
- Do not give up the blueline easily. It is much harder to defend after the offense gets the puck inside the zone.
- Offense:
- Keep your feet moving and work hard to get the puck inside the zone.
- If you are do not have options to skate the puck into the zone, consider a soft chip into the zone and then work to gain possession of the puck.
