Practice Like a PRO 6.0

Holiday break is almost over… are your small-area games actually pushing your players, or are you rolling out the same drills again?

Most teams have already played one, maybe two tournaments, and you’re probably looking for fresh ideas to get your group ready for the next one. I kept a lot of hockey drills from this past summer’s development and rookie camps, since those are perfect settings for coaches to try new things.

Below are five small-area games taken from different NHL teams, along with why they work at every level.

Each drill below has a video attached - click on the drill graphic to see the video!

Practice Like A Pro 6.0 – SAG 2v1 Each Side

Each Side You have 15 to 18 skaters and want to work on small-area 2v1s, but usually only a few players are active at a time. This setup gives you two 2v1s running at once on each side of the zone, from the top of the circle to the bottom of the goal line. There’s no change of possession unless the defensive team shoots the puck to the other side. Run each rep for about 20 to 25 seconds, then switch. You can send a new puck every time or, like in the clip, have defenders clear the puck and then retrieve it. This drill also lets you run another drill at the other end, since it only uses about three-quarters of the ice.

Practice Like A Pro 6.0 – SAG Long 1v1 Finishing 2v2

I had never seen a hockey drill built like this before, and I’ll be using it in a lot of practices moving forward. Players have to battle a long distance before you even know who’s on offense or defense. I’ve done drills where the first team to touch the puck is on offense, but this setup is way better. When the coach spots a puck, the 1v1 turns into a long, exhausting fight for possession. Whoever wins becomes the offensive group for the 2v2 that follows, and the offensive team stays on offense for that rep. It really drives the compete level early and forces quick thinking after the transition.

Practice Like A Pro 6.0 – SAG Wheel Breakout + 1

I use this hockey breakout drill a lot because it builds a wheel mentality. If the offensive group succeeds, they add an extra player to create a 3v2. It starts as a 2v2. The offensive team must wheel behind the net, and once they carry the puck across the middle of the zone, they add a teammate. Until they cross that line, it stays a 2v2. The wheel forces players to build speed from below the goal line, and the second player has to support for a quick play while staying in attack mode. Defenders know the other team can gain an extra player, so they end up playing more aggressively to avoid being outnumbered.

Practice Like A Pro 6.0 – SAG 2v1 to 2v2 to 3v2

I wish I had a longer video of this one. I ran it this year, but our video didn’t work. You start with a 2v1 and one extra player waiting outside the circle. You can tell the offensive group that after two passes or after seven seconds (your choice), a second defender jumps in. After another pass or about five more seconds, you switch sides and add one more player. This drill forces players to make plays in tight space with increasing pressure. Communication and support become huge when the area shrinks. It takes a few reps for players to fully understand it, but once they do, you’ll love the mix of small-area and expanded-area play inside one drill.

Practice Like A Pro 6.0 – SAG with Breakout Player

This is a 2v2 small-area game with a breakout player stationed on each side. Any time the puck goes below the goal line, that outlet is available. It emphasizes puck possession and gives players extra options when nothing is open up top. You can mix your offensive approach knowing that if the opponent misses the net, one of your breakout players may jump on the loose puck and spring you for a quick breakaway. It opens up a lot of new looks and decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why are small-area drills important for hockey development?

A: Small-area drills help players improve their compete level, puck protection, quick transitions, and hockey IQ. They replicate real-game situations and are heavily used by NHL teams for skill development.

Q: How do 2v2 hockey drills help my team?

A: 2v2 hockey drills teach players how to communicate and work together under pressure. These drills improve defensive coverage, offensive support, and simulate board battles and net-front scenarios.

Q: Are these drills used by NHL coaches?

A: Yes! All five drills in this article are adapted from NHL development and rookie camps. They’ve been tested at elite levels and are scalable for youth, high school, or junior teams.

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