The 4 v 2 down low game from Kendall Coyne Schofield works on players create opportunities without the puck by using their positioning and getting to open ice in scoring areas
Set Up
- Net with goalie in the normal crease
- 2 stationary forwards flanked to the side of the net, but behind the goal line
- 2 forwards and 2 defensemen in the playing area
- Playing area is from the tops of the circles down
- Coach with pucks standing slightly behind the center of the tops of the circles
- 1 puck at a time in the playing area
Game
The objective is for the forwards to score and the defensemen to clear the puck. Point(s) can be awarded for goals and/or clears.
- Coach starts the game by passing the puck to one of the stationary players behind the goal line
- The stationary players can't go above the goal line, but can pass into the playing area or to the other stationary player behind the net
- The F's and D in the playing ares battle for open space with the forwards trying to support the puck and score and the defensemen trying to defend and clear the puck
- When a puck is cleared, the coach can pass another puck to the stationary players behind the goal line
- Coach can let the game play our as long as he or she sees fit or until a goal is scored
- Keep Score!
Variations
- You can replace or add two stationary players up high at the top of the circle for high passes
- This allows for high tips, screens, deflections and finding different ways to get open and support the puck
- You can have stationary players only up top or add them in along with the stationary players below the goal line
- You can make the defensemen skate or pass the puck through a gate to score a point instead of just clearing the puck
Coaching Points
- Create opportunities without the puck - the forwards can work on losing their defensemen by jumping to open areas of the ice when the environment allows for it.
- Scan the Ice - all players in this game are required to scan the ice and process the information being provided to them to make the necessary decisions when trying to score or defend
- Body Position - defensemen need to keep proper body position on the forwards and make sure they don't allow them into high danger scoring areas
