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

Perpetual Breakout Drill Mimics Passing Patterns Often Encountered in Games

The Perpetual Breakout is a great drill to develop hockey breakout abilities in a high-tempo, flow and timing setting. Here’s what the drill looks like:

Perpetual Breakout Explanation:

1. “Ghost man” passers start the drill by shooting then picking up a puck behind the net to initiate the breakout
2. Low forward simulates winger, and swings in to pick up board-side breakout pass
3. High forward swings through and acts as the centerman providing middle support
4. winger one-touches to center, who attacks and shoots, then initiates breakout in far zone
5. winger moves to middle line.

NOTE: winger can swing from top down, or from bottom up, depending on your team’s breakout set up.

Technorati Tags: Acts, Angling, Breakout, Games, Ghost Man, Hockey Drill, Mimics, Puck, Skill Level, Swings, Tempo, Winger, Zone 5

Here’s a Great Hockey Angling Drill!

The Drive Drill Race is a great hockey angling drill that can be used at any age or skill level. Here’s what it looks like:

Drive Drill Race Explanation:

1. (F) makes give and go with (P)
2. (D) can’t leave until (F) has received the pass
3. 1 on 1 to the net

Technorati Tags: 3 Phase, Angling, Collections, Fukami, Full Circle, Hockey Drill, Mohawk, Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 4, Phase 5, Seq, Sequences, Skates, Skill Level, Time Stretch, Whistle

One of my favorite Hockey Body Checking Drills to work on body positioning and angling

Remember, as you progress into hockey body checking drills, to stress that the purpose of body checking in hockey is to separate the man from the puck. To do this effectively, players need a strong base in the following areas:

1. “Raw” Skating Ability
2. Agility
3. Body Positioning (Angling, Gap Control, etc…)
4. Stick Positioning
5. Make the Hit

This video shows a simple drill to work on angling with your players. As always, click here for a printout to bring with you to the rink.

Cheers!

Technorati Tags: Agility, Angling, battle drills, Body Positioning, Cheers, Control, Figure 8, Gap, hockey body checking drills, Hockey Drills, Puck, Raw, Skating & Agility, Stress