2-on-1 rush: attack and defend

Setup

1. Full equipment for every skater, including a full cage and neck guard. G in full goalie gear in the right net.
2. Forwards line up in two lines at the left blue line, one on each wall. Defenders line up at the centre red line.
3. The coach stands in the slot of the left zone with the pucks.
4. One defender (X1) starts at the red line facing the attackers.

How it runs

1. The coach passes to one forward (LW here) skating up the wall. LW and RW attack together.
2. X1 skates backwards, keeps a tight gap and stays in the middle of the ice between the two attackers.
3. The puck carrier crosses the blue line first; the other forward times their run to stay onside.
4. The attackers read X1. If X1 commits to the puck, pass across; if X1 takes away the pass, shoot or drive the net.
5. Play to a goal, a save with no rebound, or a clear by X1 to the boards. Shoot only when G has called ready.
6. Next pair goes from the other side once the crease is clear. Rotate defenders every three reps; water between turns.

Coaching points

• Carrier: attack the defender's outside shoulder with speed to force a decision.
• Support forward: stay a stick length ahead of or level with the carrier, in a passing lane, and drive to the far post.
• Shoot with a purpose: low to the far pad creates a rebound for the far-post forward.
• X1: stay in the middle, stick on the ice in the passing lane. Let G take the shooter.
• X1: do not dive or chase the carrier into the corner; one defender cannot cover both if they leave the middle.
• G: square to the carrier, but be ready to push across if the pass goes through.

Common mistakes

• The carrier slows down at the blue line, so X1 can cover both attackers.
• The support forward skates into the same lane and there is no pass to make.
• Passing every time: a defender who knows the pass is coming will take it away.
• X1 backs in too deep and gives up an easy shot from the slot.