Hit The Tire Passing Game is a fun small area game that can be utilized when coaches want to work on passing and puck support concepts and/or there are no goalies available.

Setup

• Place a tire on each of the face-off dots inside of a zone.
• Play 3 v 3. The offensive team scores by hitting the tire in the opposite circle.
• Offensive team cannot enter the offensive circle, but the defensive team is allowed in the defensive circle.
• Object is to move the puck quickly to open up passing or scoring lanes.

Coaching Points

• Puck carrier should use deception, and tight turns to create space and passing lanes.
• Offensive players without the puck should jump to open space with their stick on the ice to support their teammate and be an outlet.
• Defensive players should keep their sticks on the ice to disrupt passing lanes and keep the offensive team to the outside.

Variations

• For younger age levels that struggle to hit the tire, you can allow the offensive team inside the offensive zone circle.
• Coaches can call out Power Play and allow a team to have an extra player to make it a 4 v 3.