Long Bomb

Description

The Long Bomb Game from Kendall Coyne Schofield is a 2 v 2 or 3 v 3 neutral zone game that allows players to chip the puck behind their own net to activate a new puck from the coach at center ice. This setup creates a lot of fast break opportunities and forces the defense to keep their head on a swivel to try to prevent breakaways. Players are forced to think creatively, be alert and communicate with their teammates.

Setup

• Move up 2 nets closer to the neutral zone. You can move the nets up to the blue line, or if you would like more space you can set up at the top of the face-off circles.
• A stationary coach (or a player) is in the middle of the ice with pucks. The coach needs to be very alert and ready to make long bomb passes!

Game

• On the whistle, a coach flips the puck into the neutral zone to begin a 2 v 2.
• At any point the offensive team can skate or pass the puck behind their own net / imaginary goal line to get a new puck from the coach at center ice. Examples:
  • Example 1: One 'X' with the puck can chip the puck behind their goal line while their teammate (the other 'X') is breaking down the ice. Since the puck was chipped behind their own the goal line, coach can pass to the breaking 'X' player (as shown in the diagram).
  • Example 2: An 'O' gains possession of the puck in their defensive zone. The 'O' can quickly fire the puck behind their net, while their teammate jumps to open ice and they are both able to get a new puck from the coach.
  • Example 3: A 'X' is in the offensive zone but is stuck and unable to make a play. Instead of turning the puck over, the 'X' can fire the puck back down past their own net to activate a new puck from the coach. The coach can pass to either 'X'.
• If the offense (in this example the 'X's) ever misses the net on a shot and the puck goes behind the other team's goal line, the coach passes a new puck to the other team (the 'O's).
• If the offensive team (in this example the 'O's) makes a bad pass and the puck goes behind the other team's goal line, the coach passes a new puck to the other team (the 'X's).

Coaching Points

1. Decision Making - players without the puck need to make smart decisions on whether or not to support their teammate for or start to break down the ice to receive a new puck
2. Communication - your teammates need to be on the same page to take advantage of the opportunities that present itself with this game
3. Scan The Ice - all players need to constantly be scanning the ice to be aware of threats and opportunities