I was 14 years old when I first convinced my parents to sign me up for summer hockey.
The only option available was a 3v3 full-ice league at a local privately-operated rink.
The first few games were rough. I might’ve puked on the bench once.
However, I soon saw improvement in my skating, puck poise and, most importantly, my mindset. Instead of being among the worst players on my regular winter team, I eventually became a top scorer on my summer team, which set me up to succeed in high school varsity hockey.
Playing 3v3 changed my trajectory as a player because I was coming from a place of low technical and tactical understanding. It wasn’t the end-all, be-all because I would’ve improved doing pretty much anything (4v4 roller, 5v5 pick-up hockey with adults, stick & puck with a couple of friends, etc.). It just allowed me to get the in-game reps I needed in a format that was available.
For more advanced players looking to 1) improve their 3v3 play and 2) develop habits translatable to 5v5, here are a few ideas.
1. On Changes of Possession: Sprint By
Here’s the biggest tactical difference between 5v5 and 3v3:
At 5v5 teams are able to arrange their players to form three layers (1-2-2, 2-1-2, 1-3-1, 1-1-3 etc.). This is true on either side of the puck.
At 3v3 skaters can basically only divide themselves into two layers (2-1 or 1-2). Getting into a 1-1-1 isn’t productive as it creates no width and allows the opposing team to play laterally when it has the puck.
At 5v5, the third defensive layer can play contain defense and allow the other layers to catch up against a quick-developing rush. At 3v3, no such safety net exists.
As such, the number-one habit for skaters playing 3v3 is to consistently sprint by their checks on a change of possession.
WPG44 Josh Morrissey (a defenseman) sprints by his check on a turnover and beats him up-ice for a breakaway
The sprint-by is especially important if you’re the player farthest away from the play.
If your team has the puck and loses it in the OZ, the F1 (or deepest skater) must immediately sprint middle to beat an opponent back toward the net in order to bolster the second defensive layer.
If your team regains the puck deep in the DZ (as in the .gif above), the defenseman (or deepest skater) would do well to turn on the jets and to create a mismatch up-ice.
Sprinting by is a simple concept, but not easy to implement in practice for players who don’t turn well, don’t stride efficiently or who are just plain out of shape.
But that’s the way it goes in 3v3. You just gotta do it.
2. In Extended Possession: Play off Heels
A variation of the sprint-by idea is getting behind opposing players once play is set up in the OZ.
WPG55 Mark Scheifele loiters near the right post and finishes off a seam pass from WPG81 Kyle Connor
There are two clear DZ scheme at 3v3: a 1-2 zone defense in which defenders stand in the slot, or man-on-man coverage.
FLA gets into a man-on-man coverage.
Scheifele recognizes the situation, times his route with Connor’s movement and then lands at the net off the defender’s heels for a tap-in.
3. On a 2v1 rush: Keep it Simple
In high-level 5v5 play, teams typically only get a handful of 2v1s in a game.
Properly executed, those low-frequency, high-leverage plays can flip the final outcome.
At 3v3, you might get a 2v1 every shift. What a great opportunity to perfect this important, but seldom-seen area of the game!
WPG wins the puck in its zone. Scheifele makes an early pass to lock in the 2v1 advantage. He then makes for the back post and provides a strong passing target for his teammate
WPG4 Neal Pionk sprints by to create a 2v1. He reads that the second COL player is tracking the pass option (WPG17) instead of the puck. Shooting now becomes the best play. Pionk attacks the dot lane and releases a quality shot that goes post-and-in
In both situations, simplicity and clarity of execution are key. As in others areas of hockey, there’s always room for improvisation, but not before you’ve mastered these two most basic 2v1 plays.
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“I’m a better hockey player because of you.”
- Jordan S. (14U AAA player)