How to Execute a Proper 2-1-2 Stack Forecheck In the past we've talked quite a bit about the 2-1-2 forecheck. There are various ways of performing it, but the two main ones we tend to see are the "spread" and the "stack." 2-1-2 "Stack" Explained Executing the 2-1-2 stack is quite simple, and can be broken down into 3 key steps: F1 hits and pins F2 picks up the puck F3 reads and reacts, providing mid-depth support See our chalk-talk video on the 2-1-2 Forecheck here: 2-1-2 Stack & Spread Explanation 2-1-2 "Stack" Details The key to an effective 2-1-2 "Stack" is for F1 (the first forward on the attack) come in aggressive. If F1 is lazy getting in, the play won't work. F2 must also get in hard to…
https://player.vimeo.com/video/87249384 Attack Triangle in Action Team USA is playing some great hockey right now in the 2014 Winter Olympics. A lot of their systems look just like the stuff we've laid out in the Coaches' Training Course, especially their offensive attack structure. In this play you see a textbook Attack Triangle, with F1 driving wide, and pulling the opposing defenseman deep; F2 driving wide to the far post, pulling his defenseman deep, and F3 filling in the vacated space in the high slot. From there, it's a drop pass, and a one-time snipe. Beautiful setup, beautiful goal! Enjoy!
How to Convert the 2-3 Press into Offense after the Transition I recently received a question on the 2-3 Press Forecheck. The question looked like this: Jeremy, How do you transition from forecheck to offense when you create a turnover in the 2-3 press? It seems tough to run a cycle because you will draw players out of good defensive position. Nick I decided to answer it in a post, rather than to try to explain it via email or blog comment. Here's a quick summary of how it works: How to Convert the 2-3 Press into Offense after the Transition 1. F1 Drives deep and hits the puck-carrying defenseman 2. F2 Reads the play, and supports F1 3. F3 sets up on the blue line, between the two defensemen…
Using the Triangle to Open Up Space on the Attack A few years ago, I did a quick video dissection of Joe Pavelski's over time goal against the LA Kings. This video shows perfect execution of one of the Attack Triangle options we outline in the Coaches' Training Course and in the Playbook. Here's a quick summary of how it works on this play: How the Sharks used the Attack Triangle on this Play 1. F1 drives the puck wide, while reading the gap of the strong-side defenseman 2. F2 realizes he has an inside lane to the net, and drives straight through the middle, pulling the weak-side defenseman with him, and opening up space in the high slot 3. F3 (Joe Pavelski) reads that the weak-side defenseman has been…
Here's a great example of the 1-2-2 "Foosball" Forecheck in action The 1-2-2 "Foosball" Forecheck can be a great set-up if you have the right type of team for it. This forecheck requires speed and discipline. If you lack either of those attributes, it'll probably fall apart for you. Here are the main key points on this set-up: 1-2-2 "Foosball" Forecheck 1. F1 "flushes" outside in, and chases the puck no matter where it goes 2. F2 and F3 set up at about the tops of the circles, slightly narrower than the dots 3. D-men set up the same distance apart as F1 and F2, but they're at the blue line 4. As the play moves up the boards, the strong-side forward hits the receiver, strong side d-man seals the…
