By John Russo
Let’s Play Hockey Columnist

As I have coached most of the levels of hockey (Mite to college) over the years, the 2-on-1 has always been a key prediction of whether my team would be successful or not. When I start with any team at any level, I always run 2-on-1 drills to see how many players understand the concept – and how to take advantage once they have it (the advantage of 2-on-1). Most don’t know how – at all levels.

One of the primary offensive objectives of hockey is to create numerical advantages in areas of the ice, particularly in the offensive zone. I have read a number of European hockey coaching books that spend a substantial effort on this issue. Of course, the power play is simply a creation of a numerical advantage as a penalty to one team for a rules infraction. In hockey, the ultimate advantage is a breakaway with the goaltender not in the net (pulled late in the game) – a very unusual situation and not one that can really be practiced.

The next most “ultimate” numerical advantage would be the breakaway with the goaltender in. There are some strategies that coaches work on to create these breakaways, especially at hockey levels without two line offside rules (such as college level).

The one advantage that is most common and that occurs many times each game is the 2-on-1. Even most 3-on-2 rushes ultimately break down into a 1-on-1 and a 2-on-1 if they are handled properly.

I have yet to coach a high school team that had more than a few players that could execute a proper 2-on-1 straight down the ice. Most forwards fall into the easy trap of the defenseman, with the defenseman forcing the puck carrier off to the side and blocking off the pass to the other forward. I firmly believe that at most practices from high school on down, players would continue to put themselves into this low percentage situation forever unless continually corrected by the coaches. Even after explanation and demonstration of a better attack, many players will still fall into the trap unless constantly reminded.

A better attack that a defenseman will have a much harder time covering is when the wing with the puck starts to drive around the defenseman; the defenseman turns to cover the puck carrier, the puck is diagonally dropped to the other wing who cuts in at an angle high in the slot. When the shot is taken, it is from a good angle and can be rebounded by the original puck carrier who continues to the net. Of course, if the defenseman doesn’t go after the original puck carrier, continuing to the net (with the puck) is the best option.

If this 2-on-1 is executed even reasonably well, defensemen have a hard time defending and a good quality shot on net will occur every time. If the drop back forward is being backchecked hard, then he is better off going hard to the net for a cross pass tip or rebound.

Other 2-on-1 situations

Of course there are other situations where the 2-on-1 can be worked. One of the next most common areas is coming out of the corner either toward the net or out toward the defenseman. One of the strategies that works well is the “give and go.”

The normal give and go is from the point to the wing in deep, but it can be executed the other way around just as easily. The puck can start at the point, be passed to the wing, then back as the defenseman breaks toward the net for a shot. The defender out at the point generally gets “turned around” by the first pass and loses track of the defenseman breaking.

Coaches need to teach the basic 2-on-1 rush at an early age, then work on other 2-on-1 situations with drills. Of course, every power play is a series of 2-on-1’s. Good execution of this advantage situation will make for a successful power play.

Part of the concept – maybe the most important part – is how the partner without the puck moves to take advantage of the defender. During the basic rush 2-on-1, the player without the puck pretty much dictates the success of the rush. This player without the puck, especially just after having passed it to the partner, needs to move to an open area that the defender cannot cover.

Good 2-on-1 teams will generally be good offensive teams. Wayne Gretzky was probably the all-time master of the 2-on-1. He generally produced at least twice as many assists as goals because he knew how to feed linemates in open positions. He also knew how to teach them how to get open to receive his deadly accurate passes.

Drills for learning how to take advantage

The best drill, of course, is shinny hockey. It allows players to learn on their own. I’m certain that my early coach (my dad) told me how to handle various kinds of 2-on-1’s. However, 200-300 hours a year (yes, that many) of shinny on big and small outdoor rinks, in my boots on the road and in the garage, taught me more than anything.

However, that being said, there are some drills and drill suggestions for teaching taking advantage of 2-on-1’s.

• Many rotations of 2-on-1 coming over the blue line.

I don’t do full-ice 2-on-1 drills because there is no such thing as a full-ice 2-on-1 in a game. I like to come off the side boards in the neutral zone so the forwards can hit the blue line full tilt from different angles, then try “stuff.”

“Try stuff!” What a plan. Many rotations will teach them what works and what doesn’t. Same for the D’s, they learn by facing 2-on-1’s. I have always said and will continue to say that a well executed 2-on-1 should produce a shot on goal every time.

• In the zone with a 3-on-2 advantage, so the forwards have to evolve a 3-2 into a 2-1, then take advantage. Real simple, 15 or 20 seconds long, then new players.

• In the zone with 2-on-1 right away; can be from the top, out of the corner, from the side, etc. Over and over at fast pace, fast rotation so players can get in as many as possible in a 10-12 minute period. If it’s at both ends, then even more rotations. Number of repetition counts! Getting a shot or goal should be the determined success for the forwards.

• Cross-ice 3-on-3 games

• Cross-ice 2-on-2 games

• In zone 3-on-3 tag up games

All of the small area games often evolve into 2-on-1 situations. If coaches stay with it and create fast paced fast rotation 2-on-1 situations for practices, then players can get pretty good at it over the period of a season – and their team will be more successful offensively.

John Russo, Ph.D., is founder and director of the Upper Midwest High School Elite League. He was a captain at the University of Wisconsin, and his Coaches’ Corner columns have appeared in LPH since 1986.