Defend First, Then Fly

Objective: Defense buys the offense: kill a 2v2 rush cleanly and the coach rewards you with a counter puck the other way. Setup: Two attackers rush 2v2 against two defenders, goalies in both nets. Coach holds a second puck at the wall. Execution: Two reds attack 2v2; the green pair defends the rush to a shot or a kill. If the slot stays clean, the coach spots a counter puck — greens transition and attack 2v2 the other way. The original attackers must backcheck; play it out. Then four new players. Coaching points: You earn the counter with defense — position first, stick in the lane, box out the shot. The transition moment is NOW: first look goes up ice before the second defender arrives. Backcheckers: sprint to even, then take the trailer — never chase the carrier from behind.