A few Neutral Zone Faceoff options that have worked well for me in the past
Neutral zone faceoffs are a good time to get a little more aggressive than maybe you otherwise would be. Here are a few “more aggressive” options I like to throw in every once in a while to catch the other team off guard.
A few Defensive Zone Faceoff options that have worked well for me in the past
I like to have VERY structured positioning and responsibilities in my defensive zone play––including faceoffs!! This particular set-up will leave you in great position for a breakout if we win the draw, and great position for defensive zone coverage if we lose the draw. Either way we are covered!
This set-up also allows for a few “more aggressive” options that I like to use every now and then to catch the other team off guard.
A few Offensive Zone Faceoff options that have worked well for me in the past
Here are a few of my favorite offensive zone faceoff options. Remember, it is up to the centerman to make sure everyone is ready, and on the same page before the puck is dropped. I recommend naming your faceoff plays so the communication is quick and simple before the draw.
I’ve always been a fan of the “T” PK Forecheck. If done correctly, it is very effective at stopping the other team’s breakout, and causes a lot of turnovers in the neutral zone.
Over the years, I’ve developed a slightly “beefed up” version of the “T” Forecheck, that is more aggressive, and just as safe (if not, safer!). In this video, I show you both versions. As you’ll see in the video, the second version can actually cause a lot of offensive-zone turnovers and odd-man rushes… ON YOUR PK!!
The Umbrella is a tricky power play set-up to defend against. Here’s a quick discussion on what I think works, and what doesn’t work…
The Umbrella is a very effective power play set-up (which is why so many higher-level teams use it!). In order to defend against the Umbrella, your team will need a more complex PK set-up than the Simple Box, or either version of the Wedge +1. Your players will also need highly developed tactical skills such as angling and taking away passing lanes.
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