The 3 on 3 Transition Game from Cail MacLean is a high tempo 3 on 3 small area game that encourages quick offense.
Setup
- Start with 3 defenders inside the zone and 3 offensive players are ready to go just outside the tops of the face off circles.
- There are 3 lines behind the offensive players and it is best to alternate colors if possible.
- On the whistle, the coach passes a puck to one of the offensive players to begin the 3 on 3.
- The 3 on 3 plays out. The offensive players are trying to score and the defensive players are working to pass the puck to one of the players that is next in line.
- When the defensive players are able to pass the puck to one of the players next in line, the defenders rotate out of the ice, the players that were playing offense are now on defense, and the players who got the puck in line, now attack and are on offense.
- This is a continuous small area game. If there are goals or the puck goes out of play, the coach can place a new puck into the zone.
Coaching Points
- Offense should work on attacking quickly. Look for quick shots, tips, deflections and crashing the net.
- Defense should keep sticks on the ice to block passing lanes and support each other and be aware so they can pass tape to tape to the next forwards in line.
Variations
- Can play 3 on 3 in zone (as shown), or 2 on 2 half ice, or 2 on 2 quarter ice, or 1 on 1 quarter ice.
- Can have players line up in different areas of the ice (tops of circles, blue line, center ice, etc).
