This block teaches players to manage common match situations using clear structure, role discipline, and low-risk decision making.
Playing a Player Down (5v6)
- Maintain defensive structure under pressure
- Protect the middle and danger zone
- Force play into safe zones
Linked Drill:
5v6 Defensive Shape Drill
Video:
5v6 Defense
Protecting a Lead
- Control possession and tempo
- Avoid central risk
- Use wall and corner to reset
Linked Drill:
Protect Lead Drill
Video:
Protect Lead
Chasing a Goal
- Increase pressure and tempo
- Maintain structure while attacking
- Create quick scoring opportunities
Linked Drill:
Chase Goal Drill
Video:
Chase Goal
Power Play (6v5)
- Use extra player to create advantage
- Maintain width and passing lanes
- Move puck faster than defense
Linked Drill:
6v5 Power Play Drill
Video:
Power Play
Conditioned Game – Special Situations
- Rotate through different match scenarios
- Apply correct structure and decisions
Linked Drill:
Special Situations Game
Video:
Special Situations Game
¶ Exit Standard
By the end of this block players should demonstrate the following during game play:
- Maintains structure when short handed (5v6)
- Controls possession when protecting a lead
- Applies pressure without losing structure when chasing
- Uses extra player effectively in power play (6v5)
- Makes low-risk decisions in all situations
- Maintain shape in all situations
- Do not break structure under pressure
- Avoid central turnovers
- Use safe zones when under pressure
- Recognize game context quickly
- Adjust decisions based on situation
- Slow down when protecting a lead
- Increase tempo when chasing a goal
- Use extra player effectively
- Maintain spacing and passing lanes
- Slot in now
- Protect the middle
- Wall and corner first
- Angle to the box
- Possession mode
- Pressure mode
- Extra player, move it
- Team holds structure under pressure
- No central turnovers
- Clear role execution in each situation
- Controlled tempo based on game context
- Effective use of numerical advantage
- Chasing and opening the middle
Cue: Protect the middle.
- Turning over centrally
Cue: Wall and corner first.
- Forcing play when protecting lead
Cue: Possession mode.
- Solo play when chasing
Cue: Go with support.
- Bunching on power play
Cue: Move the puck.
- Stop play for role confusion
- Reset when structure breaks down
- Reinforce decision-making over speed
- Ensure signals are understood before reps
¶ Progression and Regression
- Increase pressure and tempo
- Reduce decision time
- Add fatigue through continuous play
- Walk through structure on deck
- Reduce player numbers
- Slow tempo and reset frequently