Neutral Zone Coverage - Forwards Only

Explanation of Tactic: CAN / DO YOU:

Ranking

1

Move to wall quickly as outlet pass for quick up.

1

2

3

4

5

2

Stop in position / do not wander (read play / supported correctly).

1

2

3

4

5

3

Stretch play whenever possible (played zone depth).

1

2

3

4

5

4

Keep puck deep if no option.

1

2

3

4

5

5

Head man puck (did not over handle - put players off side).

1

2

3

4

5

6

Finish all checks along wall.

1

2

3

4

5

7

Push attacking forwards off-side to get whistle.

1

2

3

4

5

8

Hold up fore-checker to give defense more time.

1

2

3

4

5

Totals:

/40

Neutral Zone Coverage - Forwards Only

Explanation of Tactic: CAN / DO YOU:

Ranking

Reason

1

Move to wall quickly as outlet pass for quick up

1

2

3

4

5

U

M

S

2

Stop in position / do not wander (read play / supported correctly)

1

2

3

4

5

M

S

3

Stretch play whenever possible (played zone depth)

1

2

3

4

5

M

S

4

Keep puck deep if no option

1

2

3

4

5

M

S

5

Head man puck (did not over handle - put players off side)

1

2

3

4

5

M

S

6

Finish all checks along wall

1

2

3

4

5

M

S

7

Push attacking forwards off-side to get whistle

1

2

3

4

5

M

S

8

Hold up fore-checker to give defense more time

1

2

3

4

5

M

S

Totals:

/40

X

V

G

F

P

Possible reasons for this option are:

1

Opposition forecheck is utilizing a 2 –1 offensive attack triangle to pressure defense.

2

Defense had moved the puck D to D and is looking for quick up on option.

3

Forward has left the wall on the overlap and you are moving into his position.

4

Opposition players have left ice on dump in and you want to capitalize on open wide side passing lane by defense.

5

Goal-tender is moving puck up ice quickly on dump in.

6

Quick reverse in the neutral zone has caught opposition forecheck off guard creating open ice.

7

Draw defense into neutral zone pinch on wide side so as to create odd man attack.

1

Possess the necessary short game acceleration skills to get into position quickly?

X

V

G

F

P

2

Possess the necessary backward acceleration skills to get into position quickly?

X

V

G

F

P

3

Possess the pivoting skills necessary to face puck while moving into position?

X

V

G

F

P

4

Possess the necessary read skills to recognize role movement into correct lane?

X

V

G

F

P

5

Can you relax under pressure and select next outlet or play option?

X

V

G

F

P

6

Able to control missed pass on hurried up if in skates?

X

V

G

F

P

7

Able to receive and control hard passes to forehand side (while stationary)?

X

V

G

F

P

8

Able to receive and control hard passes to backhand side (while stationary)?

X

V

G

F

P

9

Able to move puck quickly after reception?

X

V

G

F

P

10

Able to read off the lines - holding up or moving up to maximize space (blue to blue or hold up on center to eliminate off-side)?

X

V

G

F

P

Item No. 2 - Stop in position / did not wander (read play / supported correctly)

X

V

G

F

P

Possible reasons for this option are:

1

Opposition players are aggressive on the forecheck creating back side options and outside outlets.

2

Anticipating supporting player movement – ready to move on overlap.

3

Having eyed up with defense – knowing that the puck will come to you after selling option and diverting fore-checker.

4

Opposition players have dumped puck in deep and have anticipated line change.

5

Running a set play and waiting for it to be executed since puck has turned over.

6

Knowing that puck movement will ultimately create best option to you – puck carrier needs to know where you are.

7

Puck carrier is under high pressure forecheck from opposition - and he needs to know where you are when he get his head up (minimize time to select option).

Primary teaching point: When team-mates are under pressure - predictability for visual assessment and subsequent outlet play is critical so as to minimize time to select proper option and move the puck. Puck carrier knows that you will be in the proper position so quick positional identification is all that is necessary as opposed to scanning to find outlet option. CAN / DO YOU:

1

Do you recognize when your team-mates are in trouble?

X

V

G

F

P

2

Do you know proper positional assignments?

X

V

G

F

P

3

Play with head on a swivel to identify opposition pressure?

X

V

G

F

P

4

Communication verbally or visually with your team-mates so as to provide passive support?

X

V

G

F

P

5

Possess the skating skills necessary to provide physical support (holding up man - picks, etc)?

X

V

G

F

P

Item No. 3 - Stretched play whenever possible (played zone depth - i.e. center line, offensive blue-line)

X

V

G

F

P

Possible reasons for this option are:

1

Offensive defenseman plays tight gap in the neutral zone - sneak play (puck movement from blue-line to blue-line).

2

Offensive defenseman play narrow opening outlet up wall.

3

Time is of the essence – clock is running down and need to move the puck up ice quickly.

4

Avoid off-side and icing calls since opposition centers are winning face-offs.

5

Pressing for goal – maximize ice and puck movement.

6

Opposition players turned puck over at your blue-line and you are trying to catch their defense on a bad line change.

Primary teaching point: Playing the lines (zone width and depth) is critical to maximizing passing lanes. While forcing opposition to stretch out defensive coverage - zone depth maximizes work to opportunities created ratio by letting the puck do the work. CAN / DO YOU:

1

Have good visual awareness to read off play to maximize zone depth?

X

V

G

F

P

2

Read off the play accordingly?

X

V

G

F

P

3

Know when to read off transition so as to capitalize on opportunity?

X

V

G

F

P

4

Possess quick acceleration so as to stretch zone (from center to far blue-line) as defenseman jumps to cross his own blue-line?

X

V

G

F

P

Item No. 4 - Keep puck deep if no option

X

V

G

F

P

Possible reasons for this option are:

1

Opposition is weak forming offensive attack off of forecheck.

2

You have momentum and do not want to risk bad turnover at opposition blue-line.

3

Keep contact play for intimidation.

4

Trying to draw penalty off of high pressure forecheck.

5

Force goal-tender to handle puck.

6

Your team has the lead and you do not want to create a bad turnover.

7

Opposition is weak on the breakout – poor defensemen or weak on the wall.

8

Trying to run down the clock (penalty or end of period).

9

Your team is weak on transition (offense to defense).

Primary teaching point: It is critical to understand the difference between a low risk and a high risk option especially when your team has momentum. Dumping the puck into the opposition’s zone forces them to be creative and read off your team’s forechecking pressure. In the event that their breakout system is predictable, it increases the success of turnovers inside their zone on which you can capitalize. CAN / DO YOU:

1

Read options so as to understand when to keep puck deep and when to maintain possession?

X

V

G

F

P

2

Know dump in options  (corners, end wall, on net, etc) so as to maximize teams effectiveness off forecheck?

X

V

G

F

P

3

Possess quick puck release skills?

X

V

G

F

P

Item No. 5 - Head man puck (did not over-handle puck)

X

V

G

F

P

Possible reasons for this option are:

1

Take advantage of speedy forwards.

2

Capitalize on slow defensemen.

3

Keep pressure on opposition (maintaining attack pressure).

4

Keep game momentum – no face-offs because of off-sides.

5

Keep players moving into open lanes as opposed to overloading to support puck carrier.

Primary teaching point: Moving the puck forward maintains aggressive attack, pressuring defense to maximize backward skating skills creating possible mistakes while eliminating unnecessary off-side whistles. CAN / DO YOU:

1

Possess good head’s up puck control?

X

V

G

F

P

2

Have quick hands to move puck quickly forehand?

X

V

G

F

P

3

Have quick hands to move puck quickly backhand?

X

V

G

F

P

4

Accurate passer – hit receiver in full flight?

X

V

G

F

P

5

Move puck to open lanes and let player skate onto puck?

X

V

G

F

P

6

Play board angles (near and far side) so receiver can skate onto puck?

X

V

G

F

P

Item No. 6 - Finish all checks along wall

X

V

G

F

P

Possible reasons for this option are:

1

Opposition is making plays from outside – intimidation.

2

Opposition regroups puck well – eliminates man

3

Break up opposition’s team continuity – by eliminating one player.

4

Your team gets motivated from contact.

5

Create opportunity for retaliation – draw penalty.

6

Star opposition player is delayed from joining play.

Primary teaching point: By finishing all checks along the wall you effect the mental state of the puck carrier. This in effect takes away the time that he has to make a play. As will, it eliminates him from quickly joining the play. CAN / DO YOU?

1

Play aggressive?

X

V

G

F

P

2

Possess the timing to set up the hit?

X

V

G

F

P

3

Possess the balance necessary to control the hit and not leave your feet?

X

V

G

F

P

4

Possess the skating skills necessary to be effective?

X

V

G

F

P

5

Maintain discipline if opposition player retaliates?

X

V

G

F

P

6

Hit on the defensive side of the check?

X

V

G

F

P

Item No. 7 - Push attacking forwards off-side to get whistle

X

V

G

F

P

Possible reasons for this option are:

1

Take away opposition’s speed through the neutral zone.

2

Break team’s momentum – force face-off.

3

Initiate opposition frustration – (broken play several occasions).

4

Frustration - possible penalty as a result.

Primary teaching point: By pushing attacking forwards off-side, opposition is forced to slow their attack through the neutral zone which allows for better defensive posturing. As well, it forces them to either turn over puck control by dumping in or regrouping. Another benefit is that it forces the opposition lead forwards to flat line skate (cut parallel to the blue-line) which it turn limits space above the line. CAN / DO YOU:

1

Possess read and react skills to anticipate opposition player movement?

X

V

G

F

P

2

Possess speed to keep tight gap on offensive forward?

X

V

G

F

P

3

Possess strength to push offensive forward offside?

X

V

G

F

P

4

Communicate well with defense so as understand man on man coverage or defensive responsibilities?

X

V

G

F

P

5

Like to initiate physical contact to frustrate opposition players?

X

V

G

F

P

Item No. 8 - Used defense well (back pass) on regroup

X

V

G

F

P

Possible reasons for this option are:

1

Neutral zone is overloaded – need to open up passing lanes.

2

Opposition has poor neutral zone forecheck.

3

Need to create puck movement to open up passing lanes for speedy forwards.

4

Want to maintain puck control – protecting lead.

Primary teaching point: It is necessary to move puck backwards to open up neutral zone allowing forwards to reposition themselves as opposition moves into forechecking role. Mistakes are often made off of neutral zone defensive regrouping by opposition forwards off of back check, the result of opposition players turning back hard against the grain due to the counter shift in flow, facing defense and showing backs to receivers. CAN / DO YOU:

1

Play with head on a swivel in the neutral zone?

X

V

G

F

P

2

Pass back accurately and crisply so that defense can in turn move puck quickly?

X

V

G

F

P

3

Move to open ice or correct lane after back pass?

X

V

G

F

P