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…
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

1-2-2 “Foosball” Forecheck: IN ACTION

Coaches' Corner, Offensive Zone, Philosophy, Team Systems
Here's a great example of the 1-2-2 "Foosball" Forecheck in action The 1-2-2 "Foosball" Forecheck can be a great set-up if you have the right type of team for it. This forecheck requires speed and discipline. If you lack either of those attributes, it'll probably fall apart for you. Here are the main key points on this set-up: 1-2-2 "Foosball" Forecheck 1. F1 "flushes" outside in, and chases the puck no matter where it goes 2. F2 and F3 set up at about the tops of the circles, slightly narrower than the dots 3. D-men set up the same distance apart as F1 and F2, but they're at the blue line 4. As the play moves up the boards, the strong-side forward hits the receiver, strong side d-man seals the…
Read More

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…
Read More
Penalty Kill Forecheck Angling Drill

Penalty Kill Forecheck Angling Drill

Checking & Angling, Forecheck, Hockey Drills, Special Teams, Team Skill Drills, Team Systems Drills
Penalty Kill Forecheck Angling Drill The Penalty Kill Forecheck Angling Drill works really well to teach proper angling technique for F1 & F2 on the PK forecheck. Here's the diagram and explanation: Penalty Kill Forecheck Angling Drill 1. Breakout man skates in, and opens up to either side for a breakout pass from the coach 2. F1 and F2 angle to take away the skating lane and passing lanes, respectively 3. If F1 and F2 fail to eliminate the breakout, the breakout man passes to the NZ coach for a give and go, and a shot on net Note: This drill can be run as a 2/3 ice drill by eliminating the option for a shot on goal. Play would end with the pass back to the NZ coach Enjoy!…
Read More