23May 2013 by Jeremy Weiss No Comments
Pavel Datsyuk End-to-End Goal: Dissected

Pavel Datsyuk End-to-End Goal: Dissected

Coaches' Corner, Defensive Zone, Neutral Zone, Offensive Zone, Philosophy, Team Systems
Pavel Datsyuk End-to-End Goal: Dissected In this post we're dissecting Pavel Datsyuk's end-to-end goal against Nashville. As great as the individual effort was, there are quite a few team details that really made this play possible. It starts with Datsyuk providing proper support for his defenseman in the defensive zone. He picks up the puck and initiates the breakout to the right winger. After making the breakout pass, he follows up the play, providing mid-lane support on the breakout. As the breakout is happening, the weak-side winger blows out of the zone, pushing the opposing defenseman back, which opens up space for Datsyuk to wheel. The play finishes with the opposing defenseman reaching for the puck, and Datsyuk eats him alive. Great individual effort, made possible by well-structured positional play.…
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23Apr 2013 by Jeremy Weiss No Comments
Positional vs Tactical Play in Hockey

Positional vs Tactical Play in Hockey

Defensive Zone, Team Systems
Positional vs Tactical Play in Hockey We talk a lot about positional play on this blog. Positional play is extremely important, but it's only part of the equation! There are tactical elements that must be executed in any given scenario for the positioning to be worth anything. In other words, it's great to be in the right place at the right time... but if you are doing the WRONG thing while you're there, it's useless! Controlling the Stick There are many instances in games where positional and tactical must be executed together. In this video you see situation where the Team Canada has a positional mix-up, and a forward ends up playing defense. He does a good job covering for the defenseman positionally, but tactically he makes the mistake of…
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09Apr 2013 by Jeremy Weiss 1 Comment
Neutral Zone Trap Clarified

Neutral Zone Trap Clarified

Offensive Zone, Team Systems
Neutral Zone Trap Clarified Seems like I'm doing a lot of Q&A work these days! There have been quite a few questions on the Neutral Zone Trap I diagrammed up a few years ago. So I decided to make a quick clarification video to resolve some of these questions. Before we jump straight in, let me just state again that there are many ways of structuring systems. Sometimes these differences are adjustments to what the other team is doing, sometimes they're just the coach's personal preference. Either way, use this info if it makes sense for your situation. If not, don't use it! Here are a few key points to remember: Neutral Zone Trap 1. The trap is a CONCEPT: make it look like the board-side breakout is open, then…
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04Apr 2013 by Jeremy Weiss No Comments
How to Beat a 1-2-2 Forecheck

How to Beat a 1-2-2 Forecheck

Defensive Zone, Team Systems
How to Beat a 1-2-2 Forecheck I've had a few questions come in recently on the 1-2-2 Forecheck. Specifically, coaches are looking for ways to beat it. The 1-2-2 is a great forecheck, but, as is the case with any system, it's beatable. Your objective is to control the puck, drawing players out of position, then beating them with a pass. Here are the key points: How to Beat the 1-2-2 Forecheck 1. Defenseman carries the puck to open ice 2. Defenseman walks the puck until someone comes to get him (if nobody comes, he walks all the way down the ice!) 3. As soon as F2 or F3 leaves their coverage to attack the Defenseman, he or she moves the puck to that side of the ice, hitting the…
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14Mar 2013 by Jeremy Weiss No Comments
Q&A on the 2-3 Press Forecheck

Q&A on the 2-3 Press Forecheck

Coaches' Corner, Offensive Zone, Philosophy, Team Systems
How to Convert the 2-3 Press into Offense after the Transition I recently received a question on the 2-3 Press Forecheck. The question looked like this: Jeremy, How do you transition from forecheck to offense when you create a turnover in the 2-3 press? It seems tough to run a cycle because you will draw players out of good defensive position. Nick I decided to answer it in a post, rather than to try to explain it via email or blog comment. Here's a quick summary of how it works: How to Convert the 2-3 Press into Offense after the Transition 1. F1 Drives deep and hits the puck-carrying defenseman 2. F2 Reads the play, and supports F1 3. F3 sets up on the blue line, between the two defensemen…
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