Two On One

The offensive players' primary goal in a two-on-one is to create an open shooter

When you are on a tow-on-one break, you must remember that you are in a manpower advantage situation. The ball or puck carrier must never treat a two-on-one like a one-on-one and try to beat the defenseman himself. Doing so only give away your edge. 

The offensive players' primary goal in a two-on-one is to create an open shooter versus goaltender opportunity. This can be done one of two ways: With the ball or puck carrier assuming an aggressive or passive role in the play. In both cases, the ball or puck carrier is trying to get the defenseman to commit to him. 

In the aggressive role, the player with the ball or puck will quickly go deep into the zone, being sure to stay to one side of the defender. The second player moves more slowly into the zone, acting as a trailer. The defenseman, forced to choose between staying with the puck carrier or the trailer, will almost always choose the puck carrier to prevent a breakaway.

One the ball or puck carrier is near the net, he should look to make a pass back to the trailer. The trailer should avoid going hard to the net as this may force the puck carrier to pass laterally instead of diagonally through the defenseman (diagonal passes around the defenseman are always best in a two-on-one).

If a lateral pass is needed, use a flip pass to get it over the defenseman's stick.

The ball or puck carrier in the aggressive role must sell the idea that he's trying to score forcing the defenseman to come after him. Once the defenseman commits, a pass is made to the trailer for a clean shot on goal. And if the defenseman decides to stay with the trailer, simply go in for an uncontested breakaway.

In the passive role, the ball or puck carrier, once inside the offensive zone, will try to buy time for his teammate to get behind the defenseman for a pass. To do this, you should swing wide or pull up inside the zone while your teammate darts behind the defenseman. When your teammate is open, a diagonal pass is made around the defenseman for a shot on goal. If you are the ball or puck carrier and the defenseman does not commit to you, keep moving in until you have a good shot on goal.

Learn more offensive strategies with the Bobby Hull Roller Hockey Offensive Strategies DVD.