Dman, I use the defend attack breakout game with a variation to encourage the defense to joing the play.
Last night we had 12 skaters so it was a 2 on 2. When they attack on of the supporting D joins the rush between the high slot and the hash.
If I had more players we could have done 3-3 but I only have 13 skaters on my team. So everything is downsized or they would get too tired to move.
So in the diagram #3 would skate into the mid slot on the rush. You could do things like have them stay in on the cycle. The whole key is they have to recognize a turnover is going to happen and backcheck through the middle like snake snot.
Thanks for the info on the Redbulls Tom. It'll take me a little while to process how all that works, but that's why the videos are so helpful along with the drill diagrams.
I've started using transition games in my practices and I love them. We haven't focused on activating the D yet, but we are moving in that direction. That's what is really nice....once the kids get used to the format it's a simple change here and there to emphasise something different.
Count me in for a donation on your trip....though I wish I was going there myself.
Thanks again,
DMan