The Buffalo 2 on 1 from Nik Passero allows teams to practice timing, regroups, and transitions. The drill finishes with a high speed 2 on 1.
Setup
- Forwards on the half wall lined up with pucks.
- Defenders line up at the red line. 2 Defenders step out before the whistle as shown in the diagram.
- On the whistle D1 gaps up to the blue line and backs up to retrieve a flat pass from F1.
- F1 heads up ice and receives a pass back from D1. As this is happening, F2 gains speed around the net to time the play in the neutral zone.
- F1 then passes the puck to D2. D2 skates backwards with the puck and escapes around the blue line area and hits F2 with a pass.
- F2 gives the puck back to D2 and at this time both F1, and F2 are swinging in the neutral zone with speed.
- D2 hits either forward with a pass and they transition to a 2 on 1 with D1 who gap up ice to take the 2 on 1.
Coaching Points
- Communicate: all players should be calling for the puck before they receive a pass.
- Stick on the ice: all players should keep their sticks on the ice to let their teammates know where they would like the puck.
- Timing: players should be aware of their teammates and work to time their route appropriately so they are not too far ahead or behind the play.
