This drill creates full-field scramble situations while incorporating face-offs into the transition game.

Players work on recognizing fast-break opportunities, creating favorable matchups, sliding, and transitioning quickly from one end of the field to the other.

The drill starts with a face-off and continuously flows back and forth.

Set Up

Begin with a face-off at midfield.

There are no wing players in this drill.

When a player wins the face-off, he immediately runs toward his respective offensive zone.

The face-off winner's team attacks while the players transition into the drill.

First Transition: 4v3

The initial transition begins as a 4v3.

The face-off winner joins the offensive players while the defense works to recover and organize.

The offense should recognize the advantage quickly and attack before the defense has time to completely settle.

The play should last no more than 15 seconds.

The emphasis is on making quick decisions and getting a shot off quickly.

Coaching Points

Encourage players to:

  • Recognize the fast break immediately.

  • Attack open space.

  • Create favorable matchups.

  • Move the ball quickly.

  • Communicate on defense.

  • Look for the shot before the defense gets settled.

Transition Into 4v4

As the recovering midfielder gets into the play, the situation becomes 4v4.

The offense still needs to maintain its urgency.

Don't allow the transition to turn into a slow possession. The 15-second limit encourages players to recognize opportunities and finish the play.

Once the shot is taken and the goalie gains possession, the transition immediately changes direction.

Goalie Outlet

When the goalie gets the ball, he makes an outlet pass to a defenseman.

New players then enter the drill.

The team that was previously defending now transitions into offense, creating a 4v3 fast break in the opposite direction.

Again, the offense plays quickly and looks to get a shot off.

Once the goalie gains possession, he makes another outlet pass and the drill goes back toward the original direction.

Continuous Full-Field Action

The drill continues back and forth:

Face-off → 4v3 transition → 4v4 → shot → goalie outlet → 4v3 the other way → shot → outlet → repeat

Because the action constantly changes direction, players have to recognize their role immediately.

They don't get much time to think about what happens next.

What This Drill Develops

The Full Field 1v1 – Add One is designed to work several important parts of transition play:

Face-offs: Players compete for possession and immediately transition after the draw.

Fast breaks: The initial 4v3 creates an opportunity to attack before the defense is organized.

Recognition: Players must quickly identify numbers, matchups, and available space.

Sliding: Defenders have to communicate and respond to offensive advantages.

Transitions: Players repeatedly move from offense to defense and back again.

Shooting: The 15-second limit encourages quick finishing.