COACHING TACTICS
Breakouts & Forechecking
In hockey, a breakout is the fundamental play of moving the puck from your own defensive zone, past the blue line, and into the neutral zone to start an offensive attack, relieving pressure and creating scoring chances by using specific player positioning and quick, smart passes to beat the opponent's forecheck. It's a team effort requiring all players to know their roles, supporting defensemen and forwards, and quickly transitioning from defense to offense. Forechecking in hockey is a high-pressure tactic where forwards aggressively pressure the opponent in their defensive zone to force turnovers, regain possession quickly, and disrupt their breakout, turning defense into instant offense. It involves coordinated efforts to limit time and space for the puck carrier, creating mistakes and scoring chances near the opponent's net
Power Plays
A hockey power play is when a team has a numerical advantage on the ice because an opponent is serving a penalty, creating more space and time to control the puck and score, typically resulting in 5-on-4 or even 5-on-3 situations, ending when the power-playing team scores (for minor penalties) or the penalty expires. Teams use specific formations like the Umbrella or 1-3-1 to move the puck and find scoring chances.
Penalty Kill
Penalty kill (PK) in hockey is when a team plays with fewer players (e.g., 4 vs. 5) due to a penalty, focusing on defending, disrupting the opposing power play, clearing the puck, and surviving the time without allowing a goal, using strategies like active sticks, shot blocking, zone coverage (box, diamond, wedge), and aggressive forechecking to regain possession and momentum.
TEAM TACTICS
Offensive Schemes
- Puck Cycling: Forwards move the puck along the boards in the offensive zone to wear down defenders and create space for shots or passes to the slot.
- Zone Entries: Strategies like "chip and chase" (dumping the puck ahead for teammates to retrieve) or using triangles for quick passes and to split defenders.
- Triangulation: Creating offensive formations with three players forming triangles for passing options, often involving a mobile, deceptive flank player.
- Strong Side Attack: Concentrating players and passes to the side of the ice where the puck is, using width and support.
Defensive Strategy
- Forechecking: Pressuring the opponent to force turnovers, using systems like the 1-2-2 (one forechecker, two support, two back) or 1-2-1.
- Gap Control: Managing the distance from the puck carrier to either pressure them or give space, preventing easy entries.
- Defensive Zone Coverage: Maintaining proper positioning to limit high-danger shots, forcing low-percentage perimeter shots.
- Transition Defense: Quickly shifting from offense to defense, often by having the last forward back attacking loose pucks or acting as a defenseman.
Key Concepts
- Transition: The ability to quickly move from defense to offense (and vice versa).
- Support: Players without the puck making themselves available for passes.
- Puck Possession: The best defense is often having the puck, creating offense while the opponent can't score.
- Discipline: Every player understanding and executing their role to function as a unit.
- Shift Length: Managing player shifts to maintain high energy and avoid overstaying on the ice, which disrupts lines.