Fun Holiday Practice - World Cup Theme

The 3 vs. 3 Handball Game from Topher Scott of The Hockey Think Tank is a fun game that reinforces offensive principles. Teams will have to communicate and perform lots of give & go's to be successful. No sticks and no pucks. Use any type of ball: soccer ball, basketball, football or anything else (even an extra glove can work)!

Setup:

• 2 nets and two teams. 
• Can only have the ball for 2 seconds (for younger teams or less skilled players you can increase that time). You must get rid of the ball quick (give & go!)
  • If a player has the ball for longer than 2 seconds, the coach blows the whistle and there is a change of possession.
• If the ball falls to the ice, it is a change of possession.
• 15 - 30 second shifts. Encourage players watching to cheer their teammates on.

Coaching Points:

1. Give and go's!
2. Support the ball by being an outlet for your teammate.
3. Get open!

Variations:

• Can be 2v2, 3v3, 4v4.
• Can be set up as a station or a half-ice game.
• Can add goalies (even players as goalies).
• Can let players hold on to the ball longer than 2 seconds.

The objective of this game is to score 5 goals before the other team scores 5 goals.  To set up the game line up players along the blue line as shown in the diagram.  Place 5 pucks in front pf the players as well.  On the whistle, the first player from each team carries a puck around the net and attacks the other net.  If the player scores then the next player from their team can go right away.  If they miss, then the player must retrieve the puck and pass it to the next player in line.  Each player must go around their own net before attacking the other team's net.  The first team to get all five of their pucks in the net wins.

The 2 vs. 2 No Sticks Game is a fun small area game from Topher Scott where the forwards are trying to score and the defense is trying to stop them from scoring. The one major modification to this game is that the defense does not have any sticks! It is a goal scorers game! The only way the defense can stop the game is to kick the puck out of the zone, have the goalie freeze the puck, have the coach blow the whistle (or the offense scores a goal).

Setup:

• Half ice 2 vs. 2 with one net and a goalie.
• A coach passes the puck to a forward and the game begins. The forwards try to score a goal while the defense tries to defend them.
• Depending on the age level, you can give your defenders something to carry (a cone, tire, ball, upside down stick, etc) to hinder them.
• The coach should have forwards and defense rotate positions.
• Switch the players when the coach blows a whistle, the forwards score, the defense kicks the puck out of the zone or the goalie freezes the puck.

Coaching Points:

• Defense: This game is a reminder that it is really hard to play defense with no stick or your stick in the air. Keep your stick on the ice when you have it!
• Offense: Give & go's. Jump to open space and communicate.

Variations:

• Modify the playing area.
• Have the game be 1v1, 2v2, or 3v3.
• Modify what the defense is holding. It can be a cone, tire, ball, upside down stick, etc)

Players love this drill so much it was referred to as "The Greatest Drill in the World" within our team, hence the name. This drill is a variation of the typical 3 on 3 cross ice game. In this variation coaches, or designated players, are placed on each side as shown in the diagram. These coaches (or players) are used as outlets for each team. Therefore, when a team has control of the puck they will have a 5 on 3 advantage because they can use either of these outlets. When they receive a pass, the designated coaches (or players) must pass back to a player on the same team from which they received the pass. Encourage quick puck movement, moving without the puck, lots of talking, puck protection, and taking advantage of 2 on 1 situations.