This fun small area game is great for battles and defensive passing to escape the zone with little room to work with, without allowing defenders to just send the puck down the ice.

Have players line up near the crease to make the game area smaller, and put two tires that will act as a gate near the top of the faceoff circle.

This game will be played 2 on 2, with forwards tying to score on the goal and defense trying to skate or pass the puck through the gates. A goal is worth one point, and getting the puck through the gates is worth one point as well.

The game should roll on for about 30-45 seconds before stopping it dead and sending in a new group.

Within that timeframe, if a goal is scored, the goalie covers the puck, or defense skates it out, the coach should spot a new puck into the zone to allow the round to continue. 

What I am looking for the most from this drill is positioning and teamwork. How are the players without the puck or not directly in the battle getting open to support their teammate to either drive the puck to the net or escape the zone. 

If players are using too much room and not trying to score points, have the players in line move closer to the net to make the area even smaller. 

With larger groups, you can have this drill run out of both sides of the ice at the same time so you have fewer players standing around.