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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

Penalty kill forecheck and 4 on 4 philosophies

In this post we discuss a little 4 on 4 philosphy, and outline a forecheck that can be used in a 4 on 4 situation as well as on the penalty kill. Like I always say – there are many different opinions when it comes to hockey systems, and many correct ways of doing things… often the right way depends on the strengths and weaknesses of your team. The concepts in this video have worked well for me in the past… feel free to apply them how you see fit for your own team. Also, click here for a printout you can bring to the rink with you.

Make sure you check out the original 1-2-2 “Foosball” Hockey Systems Forecheck post before you watch this.

Since I posted the original 1-2-2 “Foosball” Forecheck video back in October, I’ve had a lot of feedback. Many of you have had a lot of success using this forechecking system… this is great! I am always interested in hearing about your experiences with the drills, systems, and other material I post here.

Over the past few months, there have been a few recurring questions and comments about this particular forecheck. Rather than answering the same questions over and over, I decided to post a video that addresses the three main questions people have asked:

1. What happens if the defenseman reverses the puck (or beats F1 in some other way)?
2. How to you convert this forecheck into an offensive attack once the puck is turned over?
3. After the initial “flush” what does F1 do?

Hopefully this video helps to clear these three issues up. Remember… ANY forecheck is beatable. This one is no different. The idea is to perfect multiple forechecks so that once a team starts keying in on what you’re doing, you can switch it up on them.

Have fun with this, and let me know if you have any additional questions or comments!