Race, Shield, Score

Objective: Race to a loose puck, win it, shield it, score — the three-second sequence that decides real shifts. Setup: Two players equidistant from a loose puck at the top of the zone. Goalie live. Execution: On the whistle both race; first stick on the puck becomes the attacker. Winner shields through the loser's back pressure and attacks the net. Loser gives honest pressure for five seconds; then next pair goes. Coaching points: Win the race with the FEET, win the puck with the body — arrive leaning in, not reaching. First touch pushes the puck away from the loser's side. Get to the net in a straight line; the longer you carry, the more back pressure matters.