4 x 1-on-1s

Objective: Defend prime scoring area. Good for defenseman positioning and good for forward skills

Key Elements: Skating agility, strong active stick, proper body position, competition battling, gap control

Organization: Two lines of forwards at the center ice face off dot with pucks, two lines of defenseman at opposite diagonal blue lines. One defenseman starts at both opposite bluelines directly in front of and facing the forwards, On the whistle, each defenseman plays four 1-on-1’s. After playing this first 1 on 1, forcing the forward out of the quality scoring area, the defense stops and regains his ice to play the next forward in line until he has played four different forwards .

Variations: Can also develop into a 2 on 1 with 2 forwards attacking the one defenseman.

Goalie: Game-like situation 1 on 1, fight to see the puck through traffic, screen shots, shots from all different angles. Position yourself accordingly. Defenseman should force player to shoot from outside scoring area.

— Coach J.F. Houle