Neutral Zone Game with Outlets

By: Kendall Coyne Schofield

The Neutral Game with Outlets from Kendall Coyne Schofield is a fast paced small area game that provides players with an additional outlet for support.  This game has all of the elements of Kendall's small area game themes including; moving, thinking, working, creativity, decision making and fun.

Set-Up 

• Nets moved to the center of each blue line facing the middle of the ice
• 1 goalie in each net
• Players lined up in the neutral zone between the face-off dots
• Playing area is the neutral zone with the players acting as a boarder
• Players not playing keep the puck in play
• 1 puck at a time in the playing area
• 2 v 2 or 3 v 3 in the playing area
• 1 Coach (or player) who is stationary and can be used as an outlet option for their side

Game

Play up to a certain amount of goals/points, with team "X" vs team "O"

• On the whistle the coach dumps a puck into the playing area and 2 (or 3) players from each side enter the playing area to battle for the puck
• The objective is to score on the opposing goalie
• This can be played as a 2 v 2 or 3 v 3
• One stationary coach (or player) is designated for each team to be an option for outlet pass - they don't need to be used
• Coaches need to communicate and be ready to chip in another puck if the puck is cleared out of the playing area
• When the coach blows the whistle and chips in another puck, the next set of players from each side starts playing
• Keep score

Coaching Points

1. Identify and use outlets - players need to read the environment and determine whether their support option should be utilized
2. Finding open space - players should learn to find open space to support their teammates and create scoring opportunities
3. Quick touches - the smaller playing area rewards one-touch passing and quick releases