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…
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The SportScreen

The SportScreen

Hockey Equipment, Off-ice Training, Skills
The SportScreen is an Awesome Product to Save Your Garage Obviously, I do a lot of hockey training from home. So far, things have been great. My kids are improving (and so am I), and the equipment I've been working with is holding up great! However, I had one vulnerability in my set-up. I have a wall in the basement with two windows. If I ring the puck off the post just right, it ricochets off and hits the window (it has already happened a few times). When I heard about SportScreen, I immediately thought it could be an excellent solution for my window issue... I was right! Unboxing the SportScreen: When you unbox your SportScreen, I recommend opening the instructions and doing a quick inventory. There are quite a…
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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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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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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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