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Double Gates Activation Game

https://vimeo.com/591330706/3e2c4d4f34

The Double Gates Activation Game from Coach Alyssa Gagliardi is a competitive small area game that starts out as a 1 on 1 and becomes a 2 on 1 after a player skates through one of the gates. This can also be modified to be a 2 on 2 that becomes a 3 on 2.

Setup

Place a gate (gates can be made by tires, cones, etc) on each side of the net. This will create two gates and two options for the offensive player to skate though.
Place one forward and one defender in one of the corners or circles.
Place an additional player at the high slot or point.
To start: a coach chips a puck in the corner to begin a 1 on 1 battle.
- The forward is trying to first skate through a gate. Once the forward skates through the gate, they are able to pass it to the open player at the point to begin a 2 on 1. The offensive team is trying to score a goal.
- The defender is trying to strip the puck during the 1 on 1 and/or the 2 on 1 and skate out of the zone.
The coach can stop the play when there is a goal, the defender skates the puck out of the zone, the goalie freezes the puck or enough time has passed (15 - 30 seconds).

Coaching Points

Offensive player:
- Look over your shoulder to see where the pressure is coming from.
- Do not expose the puck until you are ready to make a play. Use the net and the boards to protect the puck!
- Keep head up to be aware of where the gates are and the extra player is.
Defending player:
- Work on taking a good angle.
- Keep your stick on the ice to go after the puck and to block passing lanes.

Game Variations

Can allow the forward to immediately try to score a goal, or you can require them to first go through the gate before they can score. Either way, if they go through the gate the other forward is activated.
Can set up gates in different areas of the ice.
Can add gates at the blueline that the defense needs to skate through instead of skating over the blueline.
Can start the game in different areas of the zone.
Can setup the game in smaller areas of the ice (example - 1/4 ice instead of 1/2 ice.)
Can be modified to be a 2 on 2 that becomes a 3 on 2 (diagram displayed below)