Pearl 4 v 2 Game

By: Global Hockey Network

The Pearl 4 v 2 Game is a great example of using constraints and point scoring to encourage certain behaviors in a small area game.

In this game, each team has a power play every other shift and players can score points in different ways: 1 point for a power play goal, 2 points for a power play one timer goal, 3 points for a short handed goal, and 6 points for a short handed one timer goal. Coaches can modify the points or constraints to this game in anyway they would like for their team.

Setup

• Set up a cross ice game area with two nets and two goalies.
• Start with a power play team with 4 players and a penalty kill team with 2 players.
• On the whistle, coach dumps the puck into the zone and the game starts. 
• Teams can score points by the following methods: 1 point for a power play goal, 2 points for a power play one timer goal, 3 points for a short handed goal, and 6 points for a short handed one timer goal.
• Each team has a power play every other shift.
• Coaches keep score!

Coaching Points

• Penalty Kill: players should keep sticks on the ice to block passing lanes and work to angle the power play to the outside of the ice. Communicate with your teammate.
• Power Play: the Power Play unit has a 2 person advantage so they should use the advantage to support their teammates with the puck by being outlets with their sticks on the ice. They should also swarm the penalty kill unit if they get the puck so they can quickly recover it.

Variations

• Coaches can modify the point scoring or the constraints in this game. For example, instead of extra points for a one time goal, coaches can award points for other items like give & goes, or backhand goals, etc.
• Coaches can set this up to be 4v2 (as shown) or 3v2, or 3v1.