Swiss 4 vs. 2 Scoring Game

By: Ben Eaves

Swiss 4 vs. 2 Scoring Game: A fun small area hockey game that sets up the offense to work on generating passing & scoring opportunities by keeping head up, being patient, using deception and communicating with teammates.

Swiss 4v2 Scoring Game Set Up:

• Split team into two different colors.
• Divide up the ice into two sections:
  • If you have a marker: draw a line through the dots on the offensive zone (parallel to the goal line). Draw another line from the goal line to the blue line about 5 feet from the hash marks (on both sides).
  • If you do not have a marker, or time to draw lines, use the hash marks, or cones as a center divider.
  • You can also use a smaller area of the ice if you would like.

The Game is, in essence, two 2v1’s that are constrained within a tight space. The offense is trying to score.

• There is a High 2v1 (above the hashmark) and a Low 2v1 (below the hashmark)
• The Offensive players are in one color and the Defensive players are in another color

Start of Game:

Coach gives a puck to the offensive players who can move within their dotted area.

• the Offensive players look to attack the net and score on the 4v2
• the Offensive players can shoot at any time and pass to any other teammate
• the Defensive player tries to have an active stick and deflect, knock away the puck
• the Defensive player must also defend (stay) within his dotted area

Offense gets a new puck IF:

• the Offensive team scores
• the goalie makes a save and the puck goes outside the boundary

Coach yells CHANGE IF:

• The Offensive Players miss the net
• Goalie freezes the puck
• The Offense gets their puck knocked our of the boundary
• Take longer than 5 seconds to shoot

CHANGE Rotation:

• The two Offensive players on the goal line (low 2v1) are out of the game and they go to the back of the line
• The two Defending players now take up Offensive positions on the goal line (low 2v1)
• The two Offensive players above the Hash Marks (high 2v1) now are the two Defending Players
  • One must play the low 2v1 and one player must play the high 2v1
• Two new Offensive Players in line become part of the game and get a new puck from Coach

Offensive Principles:

• Know your options before you get the puck
  • Get your head up and scan the environment
    • What hands are my teammates (are their 1 timer options?)
    • Can I deceive the defender and creating a shooting/passing lane?
• If you can Attack the Net with a Shot, Attack
  • Missing the Net means you now must play Defense (Reward Shots on Net and Scoring Chances)

Defensive Principles:

Teach 2v1 defending based on organizational ideals. For many teams,

• Allow the goalie to take shot & defender takes away pass across the Royal Road (forcing the goalie to go side to side)
• Play Cat N’ Mouse with the Offensive Player with the Puck
  • Body and Stick position can limit his options
• Knock away loose pucks out of danger (and then play Offense)

Coach sets a Time Limit or A Game up to a certain number of Goals. Goalies should work on tracking the puck and should be switched every 2 minutes as there will be a lot of movement.