The Key to Killing a 5 on 3 is to Have the Right Players on the Ice!

Killing a 5 on 3 can be tough. In my opinion, the most important factor is having the right personel on the ice. You’ll want to throw out your fastest, smartest players. Players who are good at reading and reacting, anticipating, and keeping their heads on a swivel. The video above outlines my preferred method for killing a 5 on 3, the Rotating Triangle.

Enjoy!

Technorati Tags: 5 on 3, hockey penalty kill, Outlines, penalty kill 5 on 3, Personel, Preferred Method, Triangle

A Detailed Analysis of the Winnipeg Jets’ Penalty Kill Forecheck and Defensive Zone Coverage Setups

In this video we walk through a detailed analysis of the Penalty Kill Systems the Winnipeg Jets are using. Remember, systems play is very subjective – everyone has their own opinions… this is my two cents worth!

Here’s a quick breakdown of what to look for:

FORECHECK:

• 1-3 Forecheck: F1 tends to commit too early, allowing the Wild defenseman to walk out from behind the net uncontested.
• F1′s Angle: Breaks my cardinal rule for trap-style forechecks – DON’T GET BEAT BEHIND YOU!
• NZ Transitions: Jets rely too heavily on picking off passes in the neutral zone, and not enough on solid angling and positioning. This won’t work as well against the better teams.

PK DEFENSIVE ZONE COVERAGE:

• Triangle +1 against Umbrella: Not a good systems match-up in my opinion. Angles are off, and it allows the opposing team’s “Quarterback” to easily pass to whomever he wants.
• Standard Box against Overload: Good systems match-up, but the Jets need to tighten up on a few things (see next few points)
• Weak-side Forward: Tends to over commit, leaving the opposing far defenseman open
• Net-front Coverage: Jets are letting a player sit right in the middle of their coverage, in front of the net
• 5 on 3: Too passive (in my opinion)

Cheers!

Jeremy

Technorati Tags: Angles, Angling, Cardinal Rule, Cheers, Defenseman, Defensive Zone, F1, Net Jets, Neutral Zone, Transitions, Triangle, Two Cents, Umbrella, Winnipeg Jets, Zone Coverage

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.

Enjoy!

Technorati Tags: Faceoff, Offensive Zone, Options, Puck

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.

Enjoy!

Technorati Tags: Good Time, Neutral Zone, Options

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.

Enjoy!

Technorati Tags: Breakout, Defensive Zone, Options, Play Set, Zone Coverage, Zone Play

Two variations of the “T” Penalty Kill Forecheck

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!!

Enjoy!

Technorati Tags: Breakout, Forecheck, Neutral Zone, Odd Man, Offensive Zone, Turnovers, Variations

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.

Enjoy!

Technorati Tags: Level Teams, Tactical Skills, Umbrella

The Expanded Wedge +1 is strategically very similar to the “Sagging” Zone Arrow d-zone coverage

The Expanded Wedge +1 is even more aggressive than the Wedge +1, and is very similar to the “Sagging” Zone Arrow defensive zone coverage set-up.

You need fast players that anticipate well to use this one, but if executed properly, it can be extremely effective. Remember, if the opposing team brings a second man to the front of the net, you either have to switch to a different PK system, or concede one of the passing lanes.

Enjoy!

Technorati Tags: Arrow, D Zone, Defensive Zone, Pk, Second Man, Zone Coverage

The Wedge +1 is strategically very similar to the “Sagging” Zone d-zone coverage

The Wedge +1 is a more advanced, more aggressive penalty kill, that operates similar to our “Sagging” Zone defensive zone coverage set-up. This set-up allows the closest “corner” of the box to challenge the puck carrier, while the other three players remain in front of the net.

Make sure your players understand when to “force” the puck carrier, and when to “contain” the puck carrier. Reading this incorrectly will cause problems for you! Also, remind your weak-side forward and defenseman to keep their heads on a swivel, and not to let anyone creep in behind them on the backdoor.

Enjoy!

Technorati Tags: Backdoor, D Zone, Defensive Zone, Puck Carrier, Zone Coverage

The Simple Box is strategically very similar to the Box +1 d-zone coverage

Our penalty kill set-ups closely mirror the characteristics of each of our defensive zone coverage systems. In this case, our Simple Box is very similar to the Box +1. It is great for covering the front of your net, but it is not very aggressive. So don’t expect to get the puck back very quickly.

This can be a great “starter pk” for youngsters or inexperienced players. However, you should quickly work toward implementing one of the more advanced penalty kill set-ups such as the Wedge +1 or Expanded Wedge +1.

Enjoy!

Technorati Tags: D Zone, Defensive Zone, Inexperienced Players, Pk, Puck, Ups, Youngsters, Zone Coverage