17Jul 2013 by Jeremy Weiss No Comments
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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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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18Dec 2012 by Jeremy Weiss No Comments

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…
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16Jul 2012 by Jeremy Weiss No Comments
5-Card Skating Drill

5-Card Skating Drill

Conditioning, D-Zone Coverage, Defensive Zone, Hockey Drills, Individual Skill Drills, Individual Skills, Skating, Team Skill Drills, Team Systems Drills
5-Card Skating Drill 5-Card Skating is a great drill my assistant coach, Ryan Newton, came up with. I like this one because it lets you work on the defensive zone coverage skating patterns while getting some conditioning in. Here's the diagram: 5-Card Skating Drill 1. Players start in 5-card formation 2. On whistle, each position skates full speed out to his or her designated attack area, pivots, then skates backward into 5-card position 3. Sequence follows, position by position. Center covers for the corner positions until they get back, and takes the seam (attack areas 2 and 5) 4. Wingers alternate between attack positions each "lap" 5. Do 4 "laps" then switch out 5-man unit for a new one Enjoy! USE THIS DRILL IN YOUR OWN PRACTICE PLAN:
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29Aug 2011 by Jeremy Weiss 5 Comments

D-Zone Coverage: “Sagging” Zone

Defensive Zone, Team Systems
The "Sagging" Zone is a more aggressive defensive zone coverage set-up that will cause more turnovers than the less aggressive Box +1 In this video, we walk through the "Sagging" Zone set-up. I really like the risk level of this particular set-up. It is quite aggressive, but by dropping your weak-side winger down into the low slot, you can still maintain great coverage in front of the net. As players get more comfortable with this system, teach the weak-side winger to anticipate and pick off D to D passes, and cross-ice passes out of the corner. Good, quick wingers will see a lot of breakaways and 2 on 1's by reading these passes well. As is the case with the Box +1, "Sagging" Zone Coverage converts very well into a…
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