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

Beat teams that are better than you with the Neutral Zone Trap!

The Neutral Zone Trap is a super effective forechecking set-up. In fact, it is almost too good. The reason I say that is because it allows players to “get by” on very little raw skill and ability. Because of this characteristic, I don’t recommend teaching it to younger age groups. So, if you coach an older team, add this to your team’s tool belt!

When I first moved to the states, the team I ended up on was horrible. We spent the first half of the season in last place, and double-diget losses were common place against the top teams in the league. However, half-way through the season we learned the trap. All of a sudden we began winning games… in fact, we even beat the first place team once, then tied them another time!!

Our team didn’t win the championship or anything (there was just too much lack of talent to overcome), but we did make a respectable playoff push at the end of the season, largely due to good execution of the trap.

Enjoy!

Technorati Tags: Age Groups, Execution, First Place Team, Forechecking, Games, Losses, Neutral Zone Trap, Tool Belt

Start the game with a BANG using the 2-3 Press!

The 2-3 Press is a really fun forecheck if you have the right group of players for it. If you have a fast, hard-hitting team, you can use this forecheck to strike fear into the hearts of the other team, and make it so they’re constantly looking over their shoulder for the rest of the game!

I like to use this forecheck for brief “spurts” during a game because it is very high-tempo, and uses a lot of energy. So give it a try for each line’s first shift in the game, or maybe the first shift of each period. This will help get your team off to a fast start, and should give you some momentum in the process.

Enjoy!

Technorati Tags: Fear, Forecheck, Fun, Game, Hearts, Momentum, Spurts, Tempo

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!

Technorati Tags: coaching hockey, Foosball, Forecheck, Hockey Forecheck, Hockey Systems, Level Hockey, Neutral Zone Trap, Offensive Zone, Opponent, Youth Hockey

Two simple variations of a 2-1-2 forecheck

The 2-1-2 forecheck is generally one of the first set-ups young players learn. It is simple to understand, and can be taught at very young age groups. In this video we outline two possible variations of the 2-1-2 that you can choose from based on the other team’s strengths and weaknesses.

The 2-1-2 Stack puts extreme pressure on the puck-carrying defenseman, and makes it virtually impossible to break out up the strong side of the ice. The Spread is used to combat the D to D pass behind the net. In either set-up, our F3 and our two Defensemen need to anticipate and get to the proper position quickly!

Enjoy!

Technorati Tags: Age Groups, Defenseman, Defensemen, Extreme Pressure, F3, Forecheck, Proper Position, Puck, Set Ups, Stack, Strengths And Weaknesses, Strong Side, Ups, Variations

Let players be creative within a structured offensive framework

I’ve mentioned a number of times that I like to give players set positions and responsibilities in the defensive zone. This helps keep players accountable when breakdowns occur (it’s easier to pinpoint the problem and say “why wasn’t the “sagman” in the low slot?” for example).

However, as the play progresses into the offensive zone, I like to encourage players to be creative within a structured framework. I like to attack using the “Attack Triangle,” which is based on solid front-side and back-side support. There are many different attack options that can be executed within this framework.

So… teach your players to attack using the triangle, and make sure they understand proper support tactics, then let them do their thing!!

CLICK HERE to check out our video on “Timing and Support Tactics”
CLICK HERE to check out our “Attack Triangle Sequence” drill.

Enjoy!

Technorati Tags: Breakdowns, Defensive Zone, Offensive Attack, Offensive Zone, Options, Support Tactics, Triangle

Use cycling to draw opposing players out of position and create scoring chances

Cycling could be called the “pinnacle” of executing support tactics. The concept completely revolves around a team’s ability to properly provide both front-side and back-side support. This is an advanced concept because the type of support each player is providing is constantly changing.

Although it is a complex concept, cycling can be taught at relatively young ages, if Timing and Support tactics have been explained and properly developed. Here’s a great cycling drill that will help you along the way!

CLICK HERE to check out our “Perpetual Cycle” drill.

Enjoy!

Technorati Tags: Cycling, Offensive Attack, Perpetual Cycle, Pinnacle, Support Tactics

A few different attack options stemming from the attack triangle

I love the attack triangle because it can be branched off into so many different attack possibilities. I usually like to outline 8-10 of these possibilities for my players, just to get their minds moving in the right direction… then I let them get creative on their own, always encouraging more and more creativity in the offensive zone.

Having a solid understanding of support tactics will allow your players to “improvise” effectively within the offensive framework you have given them.

CLICK HERE to check out our “Attack Triangle Sequence” drill.

Enjoy!

Technorati Tags: Creativity, Love Triangle, Moving In The Right Direction, Offensive Attack, Offensive Zone, Options, Possibilities, Support Tactics

Open up Passing Options by Crossing Through Lanes

When I was a kid, my first coach (NOT MY DAD) took me a side one day, and drew two lines down the middle of a rink diagram. He then taught me that “the right winger stays on the right side, the left winger stays on the left side, and that the centerman mostly stays in the middle, but can help out if a winger needs him…”

HOW FAR THE GAME HAS COME SINCE THEN!!!

Today’s hockey is much more dynamic, with players interchanging positions constantly––especially in the offensive zone. I like this more “European” style of play, and I think it is much more effective at opening up passing options and scoring chances.

My general philosophy is to let structured, positional assignments govern defensive zone play, and concepts such as timing, support, and triangulation govern neutral and offensive zone play. This allows forwards to be creative within a framework in the offensive zone.

Enjoy!

Technorati Tags: Coach, Dad, Defensive Zone, European Style, Game, Offensive Zone, Options, Philosophy, Winger, Zone Play

Check the Embedded PLAYLIST Above, for Updated NHL Play Dissections

This post is a little different than usual. I’ve recently put together a number of videos dissecting various NHL plays and situations. I’ve been posting these videos on my YouTube Channel, but I thought my blog readers might find them useful too.

So… the video above is actually a PLAYLIST, which will update itself whenever I post a new play dissection to YouTube. When you hover your mouse over the video, you’ll see the other play dissections I’ve already posted.

Many of these dissections will refer back to concepts we’ve discussed in the Coaches’ Training Course, so take a browse through the course if you haven’t yet. I’m going to be posting more play dissections as we progress through the Stanley Cup Playoffs, so check back often!

Enjoy!!

Technorati Tags: Coaches Training, Dissection, Embedded, Nhl, Playlist, Plays, Stanley Cup Playoffs, Videos