Hit The Tire Passing Game is a fun small area game that can be utilized when coaches want to work on passing and puck support concepts and/or there are no goalies available.
Setup
Place a tire on each of the face-off dots inside of a zone.
Play 3 v 3. The offensive team scores by hitting the tire in the opposite circle.
Offensive team cannot enter the offensive circle, but the defensive team is allowed in the defensive circle.
Object is to move the puck quickly to open up passing or scoring lanes.
Coaching Points
Puck carrier should use deception, and tight turns to create space and passing lanes.
Offensive players without the puck should jump to open space with their stick on the ice to support their teammate and be an outlet.
Defensive players should keep their sticks on the ice to disrupt passing lanes and keep the offensive team to the outside.
Variations
For younger age levels that struggle to hit the tire, you can allow the offensive team inside the offensive zone circle.
Coaches can call out Power Play and allow a team to have an extra player to make it a 4 v 3.