Six-on-five: the extra attacker

Setup

1. Full ice and full equipment. Team A attacks the right-hand net with six skaters: C, LW, RW, LD, RD and an extra attacker (P6). Its own net at the far end is empty.
2. Team B defends with five skaters (X1–X5) and a goaltender in full gear.
3. To practise the change itself, start Team A's goaltender in the far net: on the coach's signal they skate hard to the bench and P6 steps on as they arrive. Check your association's rules on the change.
4. A common 6-on-5 shape: two points, two half-walls, one at the net front and one in the high slot. It is one way to set up, not the only one.

How it runs

1. Start with a coach's dump-in or an offensive-zone faceoff. Team A works the puck to create a shot with traffic; the high-slot player is the outlet between the points.
2. Team B defends in a box with a fifth player on the net front, and clears when it can.
3. If Team B wins the puck, Team A's nearest player pressures it at once and the high player races back to cover the empty net.
4. Team B: a clear from your own half that misses the empty net and crosses the goal line is still icing: a faceoff in your end, and the team that iced can't change.
5. Reps of 30–45 seconds with the clock running. Team A must score before time runs out; then swap roles, with water and rest between.

Coaching points

• Only start a rep when Team B's goaltender is set; then play it live.
• Get pucks to the net with traffic: tips and rebounds beat a clean look at a set goaltender.
• Points keep the puck in: step up on clears and use the body and stick to stop it at the line.
• Overload one side, then swing it quickly to the weak side for the open player.
• Watch the clock: inside the last 10 seconds, every puck goes to the net.

Common mistakes

• The extra attacker joining the crowd at the net instead of finding open ice.
• A point pinching at the wrong moment and letting the puck out.
• Shooting into shin pads with no traffic in front.
• Team B chasing the puck and leaving the net front.