3-on-2 Read and React
Decision Making
Legend
- player
- partner / opponent
- ball
- movement path
How it works
Develop basic decision making during a 3-on-2 rush by reading the defenders' positioning to choose the correct passing or shooting option.
What you need
- hockey stick
- puck
- ice
Your focus
The 3-on-2 rush is one of the most common and consequential decision-making scenarios in hockey. Learning to read defender positioning allows the puck carrier to exploit the advantage correctly. Players who make the right decision on a 3-on-2 convert at dramatically higher rates throughout their careers.
Three forwards enter the zone against two defenders on a 3-on-2 rush.
Puck carrier reads the middle defender's commitment and decides whether to shoot, pass to the trailer, or drive wide.
Rep is complete when a shot is taken or a turnover occurs.
Debrief after each rep: what did you see? What was the right read?
Goal
You're there when your 3-on-2 results in a quality shot or tap-in because you read the defenders correctly at the blue line.
Helpful cues
- Watch the defender's feet, where are they going?
- middle option open means shoot; middle option flat means pass wide
- Communicate your read to your linemates, they see it too
Adjust the challenge
Make it easier
Strip it back
Defenders start in passive position and give the puck carrier an obvious look before moving.
UpLVL it
Add the next challenge
Add a 5-second shot clock once the zone is entered, forcing faster decision execution.No account needed
Build a practice plan
Add drills, keep the plan in this browser, then share a link with your staff or parents.This library helps you find the right drill. Inside UpLVL the right drill finds the player.
This library helps you find the right drill. Inside UpLVL the right drill finds the player.After every practice, UpLVL automatically surfaces the drills each player needs to work on most. See it for yourself.