2 v 1 Net Play Drills for Defensemen from Marty Wilford provides coaches with three different setups that allow defenders to practice their net-front skills while forwards work on attacking from down low.

Setup

Setup 1 – Behind the Net:

• Pucks start behind the net, with one forward (F1) positioned behind the net and another forward (F2) in front of the net. A defender is stationed out in front.
• On the whistle, F1 retrieves a puck and drives to the front of the net. F1 and F2 work together to score while the defender attempts to stop the play.
• After the coach blows the whistle, F2 skates behind the net to retrieve a puck, while F1 moves to the front. They attempt to score again, with the defender continuing to defend.

Setup 2 – Corners:

• This setup follows the same structure as the first, but the play begins from the corners instead of behind the net.

Setup 3 – Opposite Corner:

• Similar to the previous setups, the play starts from the opposite corner.

Coaching Points

• Defenders should keep their sticks on the ice to block passing lanes and maintain awareness of both forwards at all times.
• Defenders must stay in a strong hockey stance to protect the front of the net effectively.
• Forwards without the puck should find open ice in front of the net.
• Forwards with the puck should focus on driving the puck to the front of the net and using their teammates when they are open.

Variations

• This drill can be set up in any of the three locations mentioned above.
• Coaches can modify it into a 2 v 1 or 2 v 2 game for additional challenges.