Post-Up Regroup in Action

Post-Up Regroup in Action

Neutral Zone, Team Systems
Post-Up Regroup in Action Hey... this systems stuff actually works! We talk a lot of theory here on the blog, but I also like to show what our systems look like in action from time to time, and the Leafs had a text-book execution of our Post-Up Regroup, which led to a goal by Kadri. Let's take a look at some of the key points of the Post-Up Regroup: Post-Up Regroup 1. Defensemen pick up the puck in the NZ and drag skate to open ice 2. Both wingers position themselves on the boards at the far blue line for an outlet pass 3. Center reads the puck movement, and provides middle support to whichever winger receives the pass 4. If the opposing Defenseman "bites" on the winger, he can…
Read More
Using the Triangle to Open Up Space on the Attack

Using the Triangle to Open Up Space on the Attack

Coaches' Corner, Offensive Zone, Philosophy, Team Systems
Using the Triangle to Open Up Space on the Attack A few years ago, I did a quick video dissection of Joe Pavelski's over time goal against the LA Kings. This video shows perfect execution of one of the Attack Triangle options we outline in the Coaches' Training Course and in the Playbook. Here's a quick summary of how it works on this play: How the Sharks used the Attack Triangle on this Play 1. F1 drives the puck wide, while reading the gap of the strong-side defenseman 2. F2 realizes he has an inside lane to the net, and drives straight through the middle, pulling the weak-side defenseman with him, and opening up space in the high slot 3. F3 (Joe Pavelski) reads that the weak-side defenseman has been…
Read More

Swing Regroup: FAQ

Coaches' Corner, Neutral Zone, Neutral Zone Tactics, Philosophy, Team Skills, Team Systems
Some Frequently Asked Questions on the Swing Regroup In our Coaches' Training Course we outline the fundamentals of the Swing Regroup, which is one of my favorite regroup set-ups. Over the past few weeks, I've received a number of emails with questions on the Swing Regroup. So I figured it was time to put together an FAQ video. The problem many coaches were having, was differentiating between the "textbook version" and the "read and react version." In other words... in a perfect world, we draw up the play, and the players perform it exactly as diagrammed, AKA textbook execution. However, in the actual game, sometimes it happens as planned, but many times it doesn't. In these cases there's a degree of improvisation that needs to be accounted for... this is…
Read More

Forecheck: Neutral Zone Trap

Offensive Zone, Team Systems
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…
Read More