The future of the game is small-area games, or as they're known in other sports, rondos. 

And the future is now.

The constraints-led approach has picked up in popularity over the last few years as the game gets faster, more skilled, and less predictable. Systems for defensive-zone coverage and forechecks will always be valuable because coaches and players want to dictate the play without the puck. With the puck, on the other hand, it's valuable to make reads based on the defenders and the situation at hand. So let's steal some drills from the World Cup.

Skating predetermined routes in practice has its place, but if players can get comfortable with being uncomfortable in practice, there will be less stress when the game counts for real and more composure to make plays.

This summer I'm working on creating as many rondos as possible by focusing on a desired outcome.

For this one, I want to score goals from the strong-side dot, or the soft ice that can sometimes go uncovered in D-zone coverage. With that concept in mind, I'm working backwards to create constraints. The extra forward in this drill can't cross the imaginary north-south dot line. The same goes for the defender on the other side.

This will force the forward to find quiet ice while still keeping the exercise game-like. You can add to it with an additional east-west line between the hash marks.

PS I'm going to save my offensive zone attack rondos here, feel free to steal 'em.

Description

• 2 forwards and 2 D play 2-on-2 in the corner.

• Each team has an extra player in the circle, divided north-south by the dot line (you can add an extra east-west line between the hash marks).

• These players can't cross the imaginary line.

• D are trying to recover the puck and pass to the D in the circle.

• F are trying to pass to the F in the circle.

Points & Skills

Points

• D: 1 point for a pass to the D in the circle.

• F: 2 points for a shot on net, 5 points for a goal.

Skills

Forwards

• Get the puck off the wall.

• Pass and shoot under sticks.

Defence

• Sheep-herding with the stick.

• Inside-to-outside edges quickly.