3 on 2 Race to 5

By: Cail MacLean

Cail MacLean, Assistant Coach of the Calgary Flames explains the 3 on 2 Race to 5 game. In this small area game, forwards compete against the defenseman and goalie to score 5 points.

Setup

• Start with 3 forwards, two defenseman, and one goalie in a playing area below the top of the face-off circles.
• On the whistle, the coach dumps a puck and the players play out 10 to 20 seconds. The scoring is as follows:
  • 1 point for the forwards if they score a goal
  • 1 point for the defenders if they skate pass the line
  • 1 point if the goalie covers a puck
• As soon as a point is scored, all new players are sent in.
• Forwards are all on the same team, and defenseman and goalies are on the same team.
• Whichever team scores 5 points first wins.

Coaching Points

• Both forwards and defenders should race to be the first to the puck and establish puck possession.
• Forwards should support each other and be outlets if they do not have the puck.
• Defenseman should keep sticks on the ice to block passing lanes and work with the goalie to either skate pass the line or have the goalie freeze the puck.

Variations

• Can have game be forwards vs. defenseman and goalies or you can break up the teams and rotate the players so that players get chances at both offense and defense.