This is an outstanding 1v1 game to teach F1 and D retrieval principles to young players. This game can also be constrained in a variety of ways listed below to afford different opportunities, as desired.

Setup: 

Draw a line at the top of the circle. Players and coach positioned in the neutral zone, with pucks. 

Execution:

Start with one player (D) positioned at the top of the circle, facing the coach. Drill starts by coach dumping a puck anywhere behind the goal line. Gazelle (D) turns and skates to retrieve. After 1 second, Cheetah (F1) positioned at the blue line sprints to forecheck. Gazelle is trying to retrieve and evade the Cheetah to skate the puck out above the top of the circle. Cheetah is hunting the Gazelle to turn over the puck and attack the net. If Gazelle successfully skates above the top of the circle with possession, he/she must now give-and-go with the coach and transition to offense. Cheetah must transition to D and defend the net.

Play for approx 30-45 seconds or until a goal or stoppage. 

Focus: 

Cheetah (F1): Sprint on the forecheck, take good angles, compete

Gazelle (D): Shoulder check, deception, sprint, compete

CONSTRAINTS: Below are some example constraints you can use for this game. This list is not all-encompassing.

Spatial Constraints

​The Escape Line: The Gazelle must carry the puck completely across the line at the top of the circle under control; simply chipping it out does not activate the offensive transition.

​Forecheck Gate: Force the Cheetah to skate through a cone gate in the middle before attacking, guaranteeing an angled pursuit rather than a dead-sprint straight line.

Playing Area: Use the entire end zone area to maintain normal zone geometry.

Time Constraints

​Dynamic Release: Release the Cheetah the moment the Gazelle flips their hips or crosses the hash marks, eliminating countdown variability.

​Shot Clock: Limit the rep to a strict 15–20 seconds total. If a shot on goal or clean clear isn't achieved in that window, whistle it dead to preserve sprint-pace intensity.

​Quick Transition Window: Once crossing the top line, the Gazelle has a maximum of two seconds to move the puck to the coach, reinforcing rapid head-up puck movement.

​Tactical, Movement, & Other Constraints

Second Player Activation: If the Cheetah forces a turnover and gains possession below the top of the circle, a second Cheetah activates into the play for a 2v1. If the Gazelle escapes and can make an outlet pass to a player in the neutral zone, that activates a 2v1 against the Cheetah, who is now playing D. 

​Mandatory Shoulder Check: The Gazelle must perform at least one deliberate shoulder check toward the forechecker prior to crossing the goal line; failure to look forfeits possession to the Cheetah.

​Stick-on-Puck Defense: The Cheetah must get their stick blade onto the Gazelle’s stick or puck before making body contact, teaching active stick angling instead of reckless collision.

​No Goal Line Retreat: Once the Gazelle starts their breakout toward the blue line, they cannot turn back below the goal line, forcing forward momentum and quick decisions.

​Rebound Urgency: If the Cheetah turns the puck over below the tops of the circles, they must shoot within 3 seconds, emphasizing quick-strike transition scoring.

# of Players: Add additional Cheetahs or Gazelles, as desired, to work coordinated forechecking and puck support on the retrieval/breakout under pressure.

SCORING:

​Game Points:

1 point to the Gazelle for crossing the top of the circle with possession.

​2 points to the Gazelle for scoring off the return pass from the coach.

3 points to the Gazelle for scoring within 3 seconds of the return pass from the coach. 

​1 point to the Cheetah for a forced turnover below the top of the circle.

​2 points to the Cheetah for scoring directly off that turnover.

3 points to the Cheetah for scoring within 3 seconds of the turnover.