This type of basic breakout play begins with defensemen gaining control of the puck.

The breakout is comprised of several fundamental positions and passes. Search for: Search. The most common type of zone entry is often called “wide drive” and it is the bread and butter of understanding a systems-based offensive zone entry. Your email address will not be published. As with anything, this “rule” can be broken for certain types of plays, but it is a good rule of thumb.

If you’ve never done this, it may seem insane. The flying winger often moves diagonally across the ice to be more available for a pass and to reach any pucks chipped up the strong side boards.

Playing within a system for breakouts allows teammates to use the ice better and to better anticipate the movement and position of teammates. Normally, the defender will pass to one of these players. Stop in front.

Hockey systems and tactics for the average player.

In this way, you avoid turning your back on the puck at any time, while remaining aware of the defenders position as well. Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.

Search for: Search. The second forward, F2, should drive HARD up the middle to the net. Also (and especially in full-contact hockey), skating backward up the ice to catch a pass can be risky and dangerous to your health. In an advanced system, there are a number of set plays for defensemen.

Zone entry often relies on the players without the puck skating faster and harder than the player with the puck. Now what? Until the 1970s, most hockey was played with more structured positions for the length of the ice. Forwards will be able to move in concert, as well, exploiting common weaknesses in forechecking opponents. It is nearly impossible to make a clean pass to you from deep in the zone, over the red line, through multiple defenders, and even if it gets through, it is extremely difficult to catch a pass with your back to the puck and there is no puck support on a turnover. When a defenseman knows that she has two or three options and approximately where they will be located, she can more quickly and accurately make decisions, freeing her mind and body to execute the pass or play on the puck. Having your back directly to the passer is rarely a good choice. If the defender gets delayed, or challenged, wingers must be prepared to drop back into normal defensive zone coverage. Hockey systems and tactics for the average player. Not swinging low is a common mistake in beer leagues everywhere.

Tag: Hockey 101 . Until the 1970s, most hockey was played with more structured positions for the length of the ice. Youth coaches will often be heard yelling “triangle” from the bench when the positioning and spacing collapses. It is a common mistake in beer leagues to feel like skating forward is the only good play. Crossing near the faceoff dot is ideal, depending on where the defenders are setup. This attacker should skate full breakaway speed, but then STOP in front of the goaltender in most cases. Mailbag: My 6yo wants to play goalie! Hockey systems and tactics for the average player. Hockey 101: Defensive Zone Breakout Basics January 10, 2017 CoachEric 0 This is one of a series called Hockey 101, addressing the basics of hockey positioning and systems appropriate for a beginner to intermediate player and their team. About Us; Join the Mailing List; What Is This Site? Typically, this is done as a close unit, as this proximity is set up by standard breakout plays. Post was not sent - check your email addresses! The defender should not wait or skate with the puck longer than necessary. This will either draw the defender away from the puck carrier, or will force the second defender to pivot to control this attacker, or will allow a man to drive to the front of the net unguarded. In short, the breakout is a set of positions and decisions that structure the act of moving the puck from the defensive zone to the neutral zone. Passing across the slot (in front of the net), or trying to clear the zone up the middle third of the ice should be regarded as, remain close enough to their defensive position to return, Maintain awareness of your defensive position, Hockey 101: Defensive Zone Positioning- Centers, Alternative Defensive Zone Faceoff Formation, Defensive Puck Movement: Gaining & Maintaining Control of the Puck. Now what? Post was not sent - check your email addresses! Defensemen should immediately begin skating to a soft area of the ice, often the “quiet zone” behind the net. Hockey 101: Offensive Zone Entry – Wide Drive, Face the middle (the puck and potential defenders), Make a quick pass, or chip off the boards. This is one of a series called Hockey 101, addressing the basics of hockey positioning and systems appropriate for a beginner to intermediate player and their team. This is one of a series called Hockey 101, addressing the basics of hockey positioning and systems appropriate for a beginner to intermediate player and their team. As we mentioned before, once forwards transition out of their defensive structure, their positions become much more fluid. Although there are a variety of positions an attacking team can occupy in the offensive zone, there one very important structure that continually re-appears in offensive zone positioning. This is one of a series called Hockey 101, addressing the basics of hockey positioning and systems appropriate for a beginner to intermediate player and their team. A well executed breakout can directly result in an attack on net or a goal. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. The breakout should proceed normally to the strong side wing on the boards, or the center up the middle. Even Strength Defensive Zone Positioning: Wingers Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. You take yourself (and your team) out of the play. This is one of a series called Hockey 101, addressing the basics of hockey positioning and systems appropriate for a beginner to intermediate player and their team. For an aggressive strategy, when a defender gains clear control of the puck and it is obvious to which side the breakout will move, the weak side winger can try to leave the zone early. Defensemen: Playing the 1v1 Rush. Posted on May 5, 2019 November 3, 2019 Beginner Defense Defensive Zone Hockey 101 Individual Tactics. The Soviet team taught us that this wasn’t the best way to play and modern offensive systems today do not use this system. The Soviet team taught us that this wasn’t the best way to play and modern offensive systems today do not use this system. In this scenario, F1, carrying the puck, should seek the enter the zone wide, usually near the dots. Today, for most coaches, talking about offensive positioning is not a matter of talking about center and wings, but rather talking about three interchangeable positions, F1, F2 and F3. In this article, we will address the one, most fundamental type of 3-man zone entry, the WIDE DRIVE. Don’t do the “lazy circle” into the corner if the pass doesn’t come.

Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. He may also pass to his defensive partner (generally BEHIND the net). This often involves skating back toward your own end. In the offensive zone, forwards should work to maintain a triangle. The defender has two options that dictate how to play. In modern systems, we define them using F1, F2 and F3 (often in the order they leave/enter the zone, or proximity to the puck). F3 usually wants to cheat to the center, rather than skating directly behind F1, as this is usually a more open lane for a shot. Alternative Defensive Zone Faceoff Formation. If the defender is under pressure, he may want to execute a delay move (quick turn), or pass to a partner. F1 can then try to beat a defender with speed, or make a delay move or escape turn in the circles to open space for other attackers entering the zone. This arrangement has several important features: A forward should always have multiple passing options if this formation is properly used, as well as good support. Offensive zone positioning fundamentally comes down to creativity and trying to develop chaos for defending teams while controlling the puck in a structured way. Hockey 101: Offensive Zone Entry – Wide Drive December 17, 2017 CoachEric 0 This is one of a series called Hockey 101, addressing the basics of hockey positioning and systems appropriate for a beginner to intermediate player and their team. There are a couple things that should be considered during offensive zone play. Beer League Tips. Standing at the blue line waving your stick around is a common beer league strategy. Hockey 101: Offensive Zone Entry – Wide Drive, There are always multiple passing options with multiple angles on the net, There are puck support options at every position, For more discussion on offensive zone positioning and a few set plays for this formation, check out the article on. Mailbag: My 6yo wants to play goalie! The center may go to support or assist the defender in a battle along the boards or in the corner. The forwards usually swing low to initiate a breakout. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. The goal is to make space between the attacking team’s defensive positions and to set up to move as a single unit up the ice. Beer League Tips. The goal here is to give the forwards time to get free from defenders and set up the breakout formation and give yourself time and space to make a good pass. Don’t do this, you’re not a spectator. Hockey systems and tactics for the average player. If your skating skills allows, keep your upper body facing the center of the zone as you curl.

This simultaneously creates more options for his play, as well as forces defenders to commit to positions and engages them 1v1 instead of 1v2. Passing across the slot (in front of the net), or trying to clear the zone up the middle third of the ice should be regarded as too risky in most situations. A winger who gets the puck on the boards is usually face to face with the opposing defenseman. After stopping he can be ready to drop low to support a cycle or dump in, or can remain in the slot as a shot or tip option.

Defending teams will have to be smart to cover this third attacker.

The defender away from the puck should remain near the net, but may step behind the goal line to provide an outlet pass for his partner. This will usually involve skating deeper into your own zone, often just below the faceoff dot. Mailbag: My 6yo wants to play goalie! A delay may also mean that the forwards will have to repeat the pattern (see diagram), trying to remain close enough to their defensive position to return in the case of a turnover.

If both forwards are out of position or tied up and a d-to-d pass is not available, the final option to to put it high off the glass. Some beer league hockey players have been physically distancing for years.