The 3 vs. 1 Keep Away Game is as simple as it sounds but the fundamentals and habits players learn while playing this game are extremely valuable.

Keeping your head up, stick on the ice, moving to open space and communicating with your teammates will lead to success.

Game Rules 

• 3 players work to keep the puck from 1 defender. 
• Defense gets a point for stripping the puck and skating it out of the playing area, or if the puck goes out of play.
• Offense gets a point if they can keep possession of the puck until the coach blows the whistle.

Offensive Coaching Points:

• Head up!
• Stick on the ice to give your teammate a target.
• Poise when you have the puck. This takes practice! It is ok if you try new moves and make mistakes. 
• Move to open space without the puck.
• Communicate verbally and non-verbally with your teammates. 
• If you have the puck, use deception or false information (fake passes, no looks, skates & hips pointed opposite direction, etc) to get the defender to commit or open up.

Defensive Coaching Points:

• Stick on the ice at all times (so you can block passing lanes, pick off passes or angle players to go in a certain way).
• You are at a disadvantage in this game. Be smart about your movements. Do not chase and swing stick out of control. 

Variations:

• Can be 2 v 1, 3 v 1, 3 v 2, 4 v 1, 4 v 2 or you can make it more challenging for the offense by going 2 v 3, 2 v 4.
• Can make the playing size smaller or larger.
• Can require forwards to get a certain number of passes to end game or keep possession of the puck for a certain amount of time to win the game. Time can be anywhere from 15 - 45 seconds. Can also keep track of how many passes are made during 30 seconds.
• If you have a goalie, require the forwards to make 3, 4 or 5 passes before they can shoot on net. If the defense strips the puck, allow them to take a shot on net. The goalie can work on tracking the puck during the passes.