This drill works on defenders maintaining a tight defensive gap in the neutral zone and resetting the Gap on regroups. This also works D to D passing options in the neutral zone.

Description

• D1 and D2 retrieve the chipped puck and make D to D pass low or D reverse pass.
• F1 and F2 must read the D and skate the appropriate break out pattern.
• F1 and F2 then pass back to their D for quick neutral zone corner and head back 2vs2 against D1 and D2.
• If the coach blows a quick double whistle, forwards and D regroup again as D1 and D2 step up to reset a tight gap.

Key Points

• Forwards read the D on the breakout and support the puck with correct positioning on break out.
• D men communicate with each other on the breakout.
• D wheel is also a break out option.
• After breaking out, defending D should gap up quickly in the neutral zone and reset a tight gap if there is a second regroup.
• D tries to hold the defensive blue line.