Equipment Needed
- Pucks
- Net
Keep pucks in the rush line
A bulk bag of practice pucks keeps two-on-one rush reps flowing without pausing to retrieve one from the net.
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- Two attackers start at the far blue line with a puck; one defender starts back near the net.
- The attackers skate in as a pair against the single defender.
Instructions
- The puck carrier skates at the defender, forcing a commitment with speed and a shot or pass threat.
- The support player stays wide, offering a clear passing lane the whole way in.
- Based on how the defender plays it (taking away the pass or the shot), the carrier makes the read and executes.
- Finish with a shot on net; reset and rotate roles including the defender.
Coaching Points
- The puck carrier should attack with real speed — rushing in slowly gives the defender time to take away both options.
- The support player's lane has to stay open and wide; drifting too close to the puck carrier eliminates the advantage.
- Read the defender's stick and body, not just their skates, to decide whether the pass or the shot is on.
- A clean, decisive read beats a hesitant one even when the actual execution isn't perfect.
Variation
Add a backchecking forward to increase the time pressure, or practice from both sides of the ice for balanced reads.