Cross-ice 3v3 small-area game

Setup

1. One third of the ice used across its width, closed off with cones or a rink divider. A small net against the boards at each end of the station.
2. Two teams of three on the ice, the next shifts waiting on the bench side of the station. No goaltenders: the nets stay empty.
3. Full equipment, full face cage and neck guard for everyone.
4. Rules: no body checking, no slashing, hooking or tripping, sticks below the waist. Shots only with wrist or sweep shots, no slapshots. Check your association's rules for its own cross-ice format.

How it runs

1. The coach drops a puck in the middle to start. Each team attacks the net at the far end of the station and defends its own.
2. After a goal or a puck that leaves the station, the coach plays a new puck to the team that didn't score, so play restarts straight away.
3. Shifts of 45–60 seconds: on the whistle, the three on the ice leave the puck and change with the next three.
4. No offside and no icing: keep the game flowing.
5. Keep score if the group enjoys it, but every skater gets the same ice time.
6. Water between shifts on the bench.

Coaching points

• Heads up: look for the open teammate before you get the puck.
• Spread out. Three skaters on one puck leaves the net open.
• If you don't have the puck, skate to open ice where a pass can reach you.
• Lose the puck? Turn and chase it back straight away.
• Shoot quickly in a small space; small nets reward quick, low shots.

Common mistakes

• Everyone chasing the puck in a bunch.
• Skaters standing still when their team has the puck.
• Hanging on to the puck too long instead of passing or shooting.
• Swinging the stick at an opponent's puck instead of keeping it on the ice.