2 vs. 2 Finnish Buffet Game

By: Ben Eaves

2 vs. 2 Finnish Buffet is a full ice game that becomes a continuous full ice 2 vs. 2 where all players are put into offensive and defensive scenarios with & without the puck. This game can be modified to be a 3 vs. 3 or a 4 vs. 4.

Set Up:

• Teams are set up at opposite blue lines with benches (Home on one side; Away on the opposite)
  • 2 Players in Red (1 and 2) have the puck & are attacking 2 Players in Black (1 and 2) as shown in the diagram.
  • A Player in Black (3) and a Player in Red (3) wait in the neutral zone
• The best place for the head coach is at the Red Line between the benches
  • Have extra pucks next to you
• Players are attempting to Score in a 2v2 scenario with the entire offensive zone available

Game:

Object: Play a Game up to a certain number (3 is a good place to start)

• When the whistle blows, the first two Players in Red attack the Black Players who defend
  • If a goal is scored, the Offensive Players get a new puck from Coach
    • If the goalie covers the puck, the Offensive Players back away and allow the Defensive Players to gain possession
    • If the puck goes out of play, coach can decide which side gets the new puck
• Once the Defensive Team (Black) gain possession of the puck, they MUST pass the puck to their teammate in the neutral zone
  • Black Player 3, upon seeing his teammates gain possession, must work to become available for a pass in the neutral zone
• After the puck has been advanced in the to neutral zone:
  • Back 1 and Red 1 must change (hard) to their respective benches
    • This allows the next players Red 4 and Black 4 to come off the bench and into the neutral zone
  • Black 2, who was just defending, tries to beat Red 2, who was just on offense, up the ice to create an odd man attacking situation
  • Red 2 attempts to keep defensive positioning on Black 2 as they transition up ice

Principles:

The brilliance of this game is that is becomes a continuous full ice 2v2 where all players are put into offensive and defensive scenarios with & without the puck

• The game incorporates:
  • Defending 2v2 (in a large space)
  • Transition up ice (move to get open for the neutral zone pass)
  • Attacking 2v2
  • Changing Hard to the Bench (so his teammate can join the play)
• Players must constantly talk & perceive the ever changing environment to solve problems as they happen
• The Defenders must manage challenging the offensive players within a large space of ice
  • Stick positioning, matching speed, communicating switches all must be implemented to be successful
• The Offensive player WITH the PUCK must constantly assess if he has a 1v1,1v2, 2v1 or 2v2 opportunity to score
  • The Offensive teammate WITHOUT THE PUCK must attempt to create a 2v1 on one of the defenders by finding space (going to net, teammate, away from teammate)
• If the Offensive players create an odd man scoring chance, they must ‘finish’ play to reward themselves
• Coaches can address the ‘transition’ from defense to offense and how to take advantage of that gap when the puck is transitioned out of the zone
• This game can also be implemented in 4 vs. 4 or 3 vs. 3 variation