2 on 2 Box Out

By: Marty Wilford

2 on 2 Box Out from Marty Wilford is a two part drill that helps defenders and forwards work on net front battles, and finishes with a 2 on 2 rush.

Setup

• Forwards in all four corners with pucks. 2 defenseman in front of the net and 2 defenseman at the point.
• Part 1 - first whistle:
  • On the first whistle, F2 passes the puck to the point. Both F1 and F2 work to get net front position, while the defenseman at the point go D to D before they take a shot on net.
  • The forwards are trying to score while the defenseman work to box them out and eliminate sticks.
• Part 2 - second whistle:
  • F2 and F1 break up ice and get a pass from one of the second forwards in line, which would be F3 in this diagram. Both F1 and F2 go down the ice 2 on 2 against the two defenseman that were at the point.
• Variation - third whistle:
  • For a potential 3rd variation, coaches can blow a 3rd whistle where the F1 and F2 forwards turn back and regroup with one of the original net front defenseman before they go down the ice on their 2 on 2.

Coaching Points

• Defenseman should work to box out the forwards and eliminate their sticks in the net front area.
• Forwards should work together to gain net front position and also look for soft spaces of ice to be open for tips and one timers.
• On the rush forwards should not skate directly at the defenders. They should pass to each other and skate at angles and different speeds to throw off the defenseman.
• On the rush the defenders should work to keep a good gap, sticks on the ice to block the passing lanes and angle the forwards to the outside of the ice.