Coach Brian Hills from Rochester Institute of Technology (R.I.T.) explains The Ottawa Drill in the video above. There are multiple benefits to this drill, including forwards working on creating offense in a 3 on 2 situation and all players transitioning into a full ice 5 on 5.
Setup:
- Part 1:
- To start the drill, the coach passes to one of the orange forwards behind the net.
- The forward makes a pass to the other forward behind the net, which begins the 3 vs. 2.
- The forwards are trying to score and the defense is trying to get the puck back to the coach.
- If a puck goes out of the zone, or a goal is scored, the coach chips in another puck.
- Play continues for about 45 seconds. On average, each forward group could handle 1 to 3 pucks.
- Part 2:
- Coach blows the whistle, which stops the 3 on 2 down low, and begins the 3 on 2 with the second group (labeled LW, C, RW & LD, RD).
- The original group (3 on 2 down low) works to transition and join the second group that is going down the ice. This is now a 5 on 5.
- The goal is for the offense to score or the defense to get the puck out of the zone.
- If there is a really quick goal off of the rush, a second coach can throw the puck in to let them continue to battle.
Coaching Points:
- Support your teammates! Both offensive and defensive teams should be communicating with their teammates during the initial 3 vs. 2 and the 5 on 5 transitions.
- Forwards in the initial 3 on 2: work to create 2 vs. 1 situation. Players without the puck jump to open space.
