2-1-2 Spread: In Action

Coaches' Corner, Offensive Zone, Philosophy, Team Systems
How to Execute a Proper 2-1-2 Spread Forecheck In our last post, we talked about beating a 2-1-2 with a D to D pass. In the footage, we saw the NJ Devils using an aggressive 2-1-2 "Stack" against the Rangers. In this post, we'll show you the LA Kings using another variation of the 2-1-2, the 2-1-2 "Spread." 2-1-2 Stack vs Spread There are two types of 2-1-2 set-ups; the "stack," where the first two players enter the zone on the same side of the ice, the first player hits and pins, the second player takes the puck; and the "spread," where the first player attacks the puck carrier, and the second player eliminates the D to D pass (this is what the Kings are using in this clip). See…
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Cycle Give and Go Drill

Cycle Give and Go Drill

Hockey Drills, Individual Skill Drills, Offensive Zone, Passing & Timing, Shooting, Team Skill Drills
Cycle Give and Go Drill The Cycle Give and Go Drill is an awesome way to introduce cycling concepts, and offensive attack patterns. Here's the diagram: Cycle Give and Go Drill 1. Player from line 1 leaves with the puck and walks up the boards, then cycles back to player from line 2 2. Player from line 1 drives through the seam for a give and go pass, receives the pass from player 2, then executes a one-time-shot Variation: After receiving the pass back from player 2, player 1 touch-passes to player 3 or 2 for a one-time-shot Enjoy! USE THIS DRILL IN YOUR OWN PRACTICE PLAN:
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Fukami Breakout Warm-up Drill

Fukami Breakout Warm-up Drill

Breakouts, Defensive Zone, Hockey Drills, Individual Skill Drills, Passing & Timing, Team Skill Drills, Team Systems Drills
Fukami Breakout Warm-up Drill The Fukami Breakout Warm-up Drill is a great drill to get everybody moving. It incorporates a little bit of everything, and even involves the goalies in the play. Here's the diagram: Fukami Breakout Warm-up 1. On the whistle, forward dumps a puck on net 2. Goalie sets the the puck up for the defenseman, who has skated back to retrieve it 3. Forward times his/her skating, and explodes through the middle to receive a pass from the defenseman, then shoots Variation: The forward can delay in the corner, then make a pass to the defenseman for a shot on net. (Not shown) Enjoy! USE THIS DRILL IN YOUR OWN PRACTICE PLAN:
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Slovakian 3-Pass and Shot Drill

Slovakian 3-Pass and Shot Drill

1 on 1's, 2 on 2's, 2 on 1's, 3 on 2's, Hockey Drills, Individual Skill Drills, Passing & Timing, Team Skill Drills
Slovakian 3-Pass and Shot Drill Here's a solid drill from my Slovakian friend Jan Bednar. He sends me awesome drills from time to time, and they're always exactly my style! This drill has two variations, one ends in a 1 on 0, and the other ends in a 1 on 1. Here's the diagram: Slovakian 3-Pass and Shot Drill: 1. Player from low line passes to the first player from the line at center ice. 2. One-touch pass back, then loops around the center circle. 3. Player from low line receives pass, then executes side-step crossovers to the far side of the circle, powerturns out of the crossovers, and hits the other player with a long pass. Variation: Same set-up as above, except play ends in a 1 on 1…
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Butterfly Passing Drill

Butterfly Passing Drill

Hockey Drills, Individual Skill Drills, Passing & Timing
Butterfly Passing is a Simple but Effective Hockey Passing Drill Butterfly Passing is a great drill to work on passing fundamentals with youngsters, and to iron out technical "wrinkles" in more experienced players. Although the drill itself is simple, players should use this drill as an opportunity to work on passing accuracy in stride, and should focus on precise execution at full speed. Here's the diagram: Butterfly Passing Drill: 1. Two lines at one end, the width of the goal posts 2. Players skate in pairings all the way down the ice, passing back and forth while maintaining stride 3. At far end, players peel off, around the bottom of each's respective circle, then skate back making cross-ice passes back into the zone they started from Variation: have d-men skate…
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