Forecheck: 1-2-2 “Foosball” Forecheck
Use the 1-2-2 “Foosball” Forecheck to trap your opponent in his zone
The 1-2-2 “Foosball” Forecheck is a great forecheck to add to your hockey systems repertoire. When executed correctly, it is effective at all levels of play, from youth all the way up through Junior and College level hockey.
The key to making this forechecking system work is to have everybody know, understand, and execute their roles properly. When this happens, the 1-2-2 “Foosball” Forecheck works similarly to a neutral zone trap – except that it happens in the offensive zone!
CLICK HERE to check out our “FAQ” on the 1-2-2 “Foosball” Forecheck (expanded discussion).
Enjoy!
Related Posts:
Offensive Zone, Team Systems
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coaching hockey, Foosball, Forecheck, Hockey Forecheck, Hockey Systems, Level Hockey, Neutral Zone Trap, Offensive Zone, Opponent, Youth Hockey
Themocracy
Weiss,
This is one of my favorite drills or systems to run. Like you said everyone must stick to their assignment to have the play work properly but when it happens it can drive defenses crazy.
This is also referred to as “The Trap” right? I think that’s what one of my coaches used to call it back in the day.
Anyway, this is awesome content. Totally fresh and unique. Keep it man!
-JR
Dude, let me know again when more BYU Hockey games are on BYU.TV – that was so cool to watch. Plus, it’s hard for me to make it to a game so being able to watch it online is awesome.
Ya – this one works REALLY well if executed with discipline. It works similarly to a Trap – except that you’re “trapping” the other team in the offensive zone, whereas most other Traps happen in the neutral zone.
I’m glad you’re enjoying the blog!
-Weiss
PS: I believe the next game will be broadcast on Nov. 7th vs UVU, @ 6:00 pm
[..YouTube..] And I thought the 1-2-2 was only for defensive purposes, this is great.
[..YouTube..] Ya, this works REALLY well if your team has the discipline to execute… And it generates a lot of offense in the process!
have you ever heard of the blue vultures?
LOL – you must be talking about the “Blue Vulture Award” for the toughest player of the game… you and I won that a few times––toughest 8-year-olds in the league that year!
[..YouTube..] This is great unless the opposition’s D have a good first pass, the d-man has only back side pressure and will have time to find a seam. If the breakout team has their forwards higher in the zone there will be an abundence of 3on2′s, Especially a possible indirect pass to the weak side winger for the break away. F1 is basically useless chasing behind the net. If you have f1 leap frog over the net to continue puck pressure. I can see this working against a smart defense.
[..YouTube..] you’re right. the best way to beat this is if your defensemen have the skill and poise to carry the puck until F2 or F3 leave their guy. as soon as one of them peels off to attack the puck carrier, that will open up at least one of the forwards.
i’ve found that if your F1 gets on the opposing d-man hard and fast, he can pressure him into passing to a covered man (usually the strong side winger). the reason i have him chase behind the net is to prevent a misdirection or a “reverse” pass.
[..YouTube..] i usually recommend having two or three different forechecking set-ups. when the opposing team starts dialing in on whichever one you’re using, you can switch it up and make them have to adjust to the new set-up.
i’ve also had coaches designate different forechecking set-ups for different lines. that keeps the other team guessing too… either way, thanks for the comment!
just wondering what software you are using on the computer and where it can be purchased?
thanks
it’s called DrillDraw and you can get it at http://drilldraw.com
[..YouTube..] These are a great set of videos Mr. Weiss, I hope you post a lot more.
Anyway, I was just asking…do you think you could post a few videos on how you put your team(s) together? like what kinda kids ya have play center, l. wing, r. wing, l. defense, r. defense, goaltender…line 1, line 2, etc…
[..YouTube..] thank you for the feedback! i like your idea for videos on the strategy of picking a team. i’ll definitely try to incorporate answers to your questions into future videos.
have you visited our drills and skills blog yet? the url is in the description for this video. we have drill printouts that go with each video on the blog – you might find it useful.
[..YouTube..] You’re very welcome Mr. Weiss. Yeah, I actually checked out your whole website. It’s not bad, it looks like just recently put it together. Most of your videos are dated from around Xmas. Do you think you could also do videos on like how you teach someone to skate from scratch? Or how you teach someone to become a better hockey player, who has never played the game. I got a million ideas, but like not wanting to stampede your project. Anyway, good job – I do look forward to more.
[..YouTube..] yes it’s a bit of a new project for me… i’m still working out some of the details. i keep a list of video requests so don’t feel bad about “stampeding” me
i plan to eventually cover all the requests. thanks again!
[..YouTube..] wow great video! really helped me out, thanks!
[..YouTube..] no problem
[..YouTube..] Very nice video, ive been playing for 2 seasons and this is the stuff out teams need to work on. I play C so im guessing i am f2 in this situation… out coach has always told me to pressure the puck but it feels really weird doing so… This helps me very much and i subscribed… Thanks!
Pushing outside in allows for a very easy reverse or rim and race for the puck at the blue line. 95% of all puck pressure is inside out and this system can not be used in the neutral zone.
Jason – thanks for the comments. In my experience with this forecheck I haven’t had too many problems with reverses or rims… (that doesn’t mean it couldn’t happen though)
but here’s my opinion: if the opposing defenseman reverses it, that’s ok – the forchecker just turns and pressures the man who received the reverse pass. remember, his objective isn’t necessarily to steal the puck but to force a pass. F2 and F3 just need to be ready to adjust if there’s a reverse.
if the defenseman rims the puck it does become a foot race, you’re right. but i would expect that the forward could read that coming and seal that off. even if he doesn’t get there before the pass, you are still forcing a tough play for that winger to pick it up off the boards and make a decent pass. also, our defenseman should be in position to seal the high boards against any “chip.”
you’re probably right that this wouldn’t be as effective as a neutral zone forecheck, but i’ve had pretty good success with it as an offensive zone forecheck.
anyways – as always, i’m not claiming it’s unbeatable, and it might work better for one team than another (depending on the team’s strengths and weaknesses). but i think it’s a decent forecheck to have in the repertoire either way.
thanks again – look forward to more input!
jeremy
PS – a few folks had questions about this video so i did a more in-depth follow-up video a little while ago, check it out here: http://weisstechhockey.com/blog/366/faq-on-1-2-2-foosball-forecheck/
[..YouTube..] thanks – it really depends on the situation, but yes, F2 will often be the centerman. as with most systems, this forecheck only works if everyone is on board… so for now, i’d recommend forechecking the way your coach is telling you to
[..YouTube..] I have a problem with the F1 going behind the net. He should cut in front of the net.
[..YouTube..] jamiejackson91 had a similar comment (take a look at his post and my reply). I’ve had success doing it the way I described both as a player (at fairly high levels of play), and as a coach at younger age groups. However, that doesn’t mean it’s the only way it COULD work.
For example, if your “flushing” forward isn’t fast enough to maintain pressure, he may indeed need to make a route adjustment (or use another forecheck altogether). Make adjustments based on your team’s strengths and weaknesses
[..YouTube..] Also – take a look at the follow up video for this post (it answers some of the FAQ’s on this forecheck). I’ll post the URL in the description.
[..YouTube..] what program do you use to do all these videos?
[..YouTube..] Great Videos. I like how you give many scenarios for each situation. Even though I have coached for many years, I like your approach and illustrations better than most. Very detailed and clearly illustrated. Keep up the good work.
[..YouTube..] Thanks!
[..YouTube..] what if the D tries to reverse? thats a lot of ice to cover for F2 and F3 along with D1 and D2, and that leaves the strongside (in this case the side after the reverse) winger an open lane to either skate or pass to his centerman
[..YouTube..] thanks for the comment… i actually did a follow-up video to this one that addresses that question (you aren’t the only one who’s asked it). the link to follow-up vid is in the description for this video.
[..YouTube..] You could be opening up a 3 on one. What if F3 cant pick up a high ring around boards which it will likely be and a high winger will pick up puck. F3 has a tough stop
[..YouTube..] @FoghornLeghorn7 a “high ring” is a possibility. however, that should still leave us with 2 defensemen back.
also, we instruct our defensemen to “hold the line” but not to pinch in this particular forecheck. this helps to ensure we have a guy on the line to keep any loose pucks in, but at the same time doesn’t leave us vulnerable to an odd-man rush from a poorly executed pinch.
[..YouTube..] @FoghornLeghorn7 at the end of the day, any forecheck is beatable… i’ve see this one beat more often by having the puck-carrying defenseman skate it up the ice himself than from a ring… although i suppose a well executed ring COULD work….
bottom line, have a few forechecks in your team’s arsenal. use one until the other team figures out how to beat it, then switch it up! good luck!
PS – make sure you check out our Q&A follow up video to this one. the link is in the description.
[..YouTube..] @weissie20 good answer……The D staying high and alert would back stop that play as you said, or possible get the missed “high ring”…
[..YouTube..] @FoghornLeghorn7 thanks