2v1 Principles

A hockey game can fundamentally be viewed as a series of sub-units working together to self-organize against the opposition. In other words, hockey is a large-scale game with lots of small games hidden inside of it. Apart from a 1v1, a 2v1 is the smallest of one of these units and occurs frequently throughout the game. Ensuring players understand the fundamental principles behind a 2v1 can make it easy to transfer these into a game and easily get around the opposition. Below we will break down a 2v1 into simple principles that can hopefully be understood and applied to games and training. If this seems simple, bear with me or skip to the end to see some drills.

Why are 2v1's important? - simple principles

To understand this, first imagine a 1v1

In this scenario, the defender only has to make one decision. How to tackle the player. They have nothing to worry about except putting themselves between the line on the attacker and the goal.

Now when we add a second player, the complexity of the problem has increased. Now the defender has to decide whether to tackle player 1 (original player with the ball) or stay with player 2. However, in this case, is player 2 useful? This brings us to our first principle:

Stretch the space - push the boundaries

Within a 2v1 the defender has to make a decision. As attackers, we have to make this decision as hard as possible. The first way we do this is to stretch the space. The bigger the space the harder it is to defend.

Now player 2 is available for a pass and has a clear run to the goal if player 1 was to pass the ball. However, if player 2 were to receive the ball then they would still probably be able to be tackled by the defender. Thus, principle 2:

Break the advantage line

The advantage line is the point where the defender is eliminated because we are in front of them. This requires no skill, simply positioning.

In the first image, player 2 is behind the orange advantage line of the defender. If they receive the ball the defender can get across and make a tackle. In the second image player 2 is ahead of the advantage line and if the defender were to try to chase back they would be behind player 2 and unable to make a tackle.

Elevating our 2v1's

In all of these examples, I just assumed player 1 would be standing still. However, hockey is a dynamic game and everything is constantly moving. So, how can player 1 make this 2v1 easier for player 2 when they receive the ball. In other words, what should player 1 do?

Fundamentally, the defender's actions are based on two things. The position of the goal is relative to the 2v1 (because you win the game by scoring goals) and the ball (because you need the ball to score a goal). Therefore the defender should theoretically always prioritize these two things. Only when the second player becomes more likely to score a goal will they default to them.

For example, here player 2 is more likely to score so the defender is staying on them. However, at some point player 1 will become more dangerous and they will have to go to. It is at this moment we can utilize our advantage to its full extent.

As player 1 carries infield, the defender has to step to the ball to prevent them from scoring. At this point, player 2 can lead into the space for a free shot. The same principle applies further back in the pitch.

Going back to our original scenario, we can imagine player 1 starting to carry the ball left. To prevent player 1 from going past and scoring a goal, the defender has to move across to protect the goal and prevent getting eliminated. This creates space in the middle for player 2. Who can now move from the unlikely goal scoring position to a favourable spot in the middle of the pitch.

Summary of Principles

• Make the defender's decision as hard as possible
• Stretch the space
• Break the advantage line
• Create a dangerous position

One cue you can use is to draw the defender, pass the ball and move. Or draw, pass and move (The move being really important in creating 2v1's).

Drills

2v1's are influenced by a few things

• The position of the 2v1 on the pitch - a 2v1 along the baseline works differently from a 2v1 in the middle of the pitch
• The starting positions of the players - is player 2 behind, in front or in line with the defender
• The starting position of the defender - is the defender in an ideal position or recovering
• The time allowed for the 2v1 - do the players have all the time they need or is it like a counter-attack where if they take too long a second player comes into play?
• The space allowed for the 2v1 - is it big or small - the smaller it is the easier it should be for the defender

As there are lots of things to consider the best thing you can do is add as much variability into your 2v1 setups as possible. Change the space, change the location, change the starting positions and the time they have. Make the players apply and figure out the principles for themselves. The best 2v1 players can eliminate the defender without letting them get close to the ball in multiple different scenarios. The scenarios in the game will never be the same so don't make them the same during training.