Setup:

• Players split into equal lines on both sides of the rink (by the blue lines).
• One player from each line begins inside the zone, positioned at the hash marks near the boards.
• One player starts in the middle of the ice (slot area) and acts as the initial defender.

Drill Description:

1. Coach Passes to Offensive Player

• Drill begins with the coach passing a puck to one of the players on the boards (hash mark).
• That player becomes the attacker and immediately attacks the net.

2. Defender Activates

• At the same time, the player in the middle activates as the defender and plays the attacker 1-on-1.

3. Play Finishes

• Once the puck is either:
• Scored,
• Covered/frozen,
• Or passed back to the coach by the defender...
  the rep ends.

4. Rotation

• If the defender retrieves the puck and passes it back to the coach, they return to line.
• The original offensive player now becomes the next defender.
• Coach passes to the opposite side, and the new offensive player attacks.
• Drill flows continuously with players rotating: Offence → Defence → Return to Line

Progressions:

• Start with 1-on-1.
• Advance to 2-on-2 and then 3-on-3 as players become more comfortable.
• Remind players to stay alert and jump into the zone quickly to keep the drill flowing.

Key Teaching Points:

Defensive Focus:

• Take away time & space
• Proper angling & body positioning
• Stick on puck
• Stop on pucks
• Finish checks legally and safely

Offensive Focus:

• Deceptive attacks (change of speed/direction)
• Puck protection & edge work
• Attacking from wide areas into the high-danger scoring areas