Similar to the Offensive Zone Faceoff Set Play article, this article suggests a coordinated setup at the faceoff dots in the defensive zone. Credit to beerleaguetips.com for the first writeup on this setup I’ve seen on the internet.

Issues with Traditional Setup

There are several issues we see in the traditional faceoff setup in the defensive zone. They are:

• Defenseman is standing still when the faceoff is won
• Board-side wing will probably stay still if the faceoff is won
• Poor coverage at puck drop

Defenseman in a Standstill

When the faceoff is won cleanly and the defenseman (LD in this example) retrieves the puck, it looks like the defenseman is open and in a good position to look up to make a breakout pass quickly. However, this is deceiving because:

• The defenseman cannot pass right away. Teammates are not ready for a pass, is not in a position away from their respective checks. Therefore, this defenseman must either wait for everyone else to get ready, retreat by skating backwards (doesn’t happen well in rec league), or drop the puck behind the net for his partner to receive the pass. However,
• If the defenseman is expected to skate, the defenseman receives the puck at a stand still. If a forechecker comes rushing in, the defenseman must quickly start skating, maybe even backwards, probably pass or skate behind the net, or worse, clear the puck up the boards potentially giving up puck possession.

Being open with the puck while standing still is deceivingly inconvenient. On the ice, you should much rather be skating with the puck while being chased from behind.

Where should the Board-Side Wing Go?

In the traditional setup, the board-side wing (LW in this example) may see the faceoff won back to the defenseman, and assume their position for the breakout. However, the LW is already in their breakout position, covered, without any speed, therefore is a poor passing option.

Poor Coverage at Puck Drop

In the traditional setup, the defensive coverage upon losing the faceoff is also poor. Wings are always going to be further away from their opposing defensemen in any faceoff setup, but in the traditional setup:

• The board-side wing (LW in this example) must go around a player in order to reach their check and
• The defenseman behind the center (LD) in this example is not covering anyone.

The Alternate Setup

The setup highlighted by beerleaguetips.com solves these issues of 1) standstill defensemen, 2) standstill wing, and 3) poor coverage at puck drop.

Example Scenarios

Here are some examples of where the puck ends up after the faceoff is taken.

Faceoff Won Behind

• The Board Side Defenseman (LD) engages the opposing right wing and then skates behind the Center to retrieve the puck. Then keeps skating behind the net and as soon as there is a lane to the half boards where the Right Wing is, send a direct pass (instead of a bounce off the boards) to their tape.
• The Inside Defenseman (RD) engages the opposing left wing and becomes a safety net for a possible turnover.
• The Center tangles with the opposing center, wins the faceoff, and then -while being mindful of the timing- skates his route on the breakout. The route should be low and slow, almost kissing the crease, but not too close to the boards.
• The Inside Wing (LW) skates through the soft spot, recognizes the faceoff win, sprints to the boards to recognize his role in this breakout is the weak-side wing, and turns aggressively up toward center ice.
• The Outside Wing (RW) takes a few steps toward his check, recognizes the faceoff win, sprints to the boards to recognize his role in this breakout is the strong-side wing, pivots and receives the breakout pass.

Faceoff Contested

• Center, Board Side Defenseman (LD), and Inside Defenseman (RD) all engage their respective checks, keep body position and stay engaged.
• Either the Inside Wing (LW) or the Board Side Defenseman (LD) can swipe at the puck to get it behind the faceoff dot for the Board Side Defenseman (LD) to retrieve and skate behind the net with.
• Once we have puck possession, it is the same breakout play.

Faceoff Straight to the Boards

In this example, the puck goes straight to the boards, where the Board Side Defenseman (LD) and the opposing right wing can contest for the puck, few things must happen.

• Board Side Defenseman (LD) engages the opposing right wing first and gets body position, boxing out the opposition to gain puck possession.
• Center engages the opposing center first, STAYS ENGAGED and stays between the opposing center and the net until LD gains (or has a high probability of gaining) puck possession.
• Both Wings skate up to the respective checks until a breakout play is initiated.
• Board Side Defenseman (LD) gains possession and pokes the puck back behind the goal line. This is where the Center must stay between the opposing center and the net, to win the race to this puck. Center retrieves the puck and goes behind the net. The Center’s first step toward this puck down low is the cue for a breakout play.
• As the Center goes back toward the puck behind the goal line, the Inside Defenseman (RD) must fill the void created by the Center in the breakout and be ready for a rush.
• While this happens, the Board Side Defenseman (LD) must skate back to the middle of the ice to be a safety net for a possible turnover.

Faceoff Won toward the Goalie

In this example, the faceoff is won but straight to the goaltender. If the puck is manageable and there is time and space, the goaltender can guide the puck to the back of the net with his pads, glove, or stick. This pass will be for the LD to pick up to head behind the net. If there is no time or space, the goaltender should cover the puck for another faceoff.

Opponents Lining Up Differently

When the opponents move their wing behind their center thinking they can get a quick faceoff win back to this “shooter” to get a shot on goal, make an adjustment by swapping our Board Side Defenseman and the Inside Wing. This way, we start with both of our defensemen in front of our goalie to crowd the shooting lane and hopefully get a quick jump on the potential faceoff loss that turns into a shot. Since the “shooter” (in this case, the opponent’s RW) vacated their spot, this allows our Inside Wing (LW) a free path to their check.

Conclusion

In this defensive zone faceoff setup, body position is everything. Before we gain puck possession, situate ourselves where our goal is to get the puck behind our goal line and use body position to make it close to impossible for the opposition to gain puck possession before we do. We also make opportunities for ourselves to skate more without giving up body possession, and skating more leads to safer, more open passing options.

What is Forechecking?

Forechecking is what hockey players do (and the strategy a team systematically employs) to regain possession of the puck. This means we forecheck when we do not have the puck, and our opponents forecheck when we possess the puck.

The words forecheck and pressure is used interchangeably, and there is a reason. When a player forechecks a puck carrier, this pressures the puck carrier into making moves/passes they are not yet comfortable making. More often than not, this pressure gets the puck carrier to make mistakes. In a checking league, this pressure is magnified by the fear/risk of being checked.

What Usually Happens

In rec league hockey, I see a lot of forwards not reacting to loose pucks well. Here’s an example:

Forwards are numbered 1, 2, and 3. Forward 1 (F1) is in front of the net, sees the shot go by the net, and stands there, barely moving. Forward 2 (F2) sees the shot go by the net, hurries over to the boards and challenges the puck carrier. Forward 3 (F3) sees the shot go by, sees the opposing defender go retrieve the puck (uncontested, if I may add), and retreat to be on the defensive.

The forwards are numbered instead of being called out by positions, because loosely said, it doesn’t matter in the forecheck. Some teams may have their centers positioned fairly conservatively, so they may often be F3.

The Yellow area is what the puck carrier sees, and this screams opportunity for someone with the puck. Here’s what the puck carrier is thinking: “There’s time and space to gain speed, I can easily split between F1 and F2. F1 with no speed, F2 skating the wrong way (towards me).”

Here’s another common one:

Have you seen all the forwards retreat together? It’s so bad. We’re opening space for the puck carrier to skate with the puck. Sure, we might be able to stop him as he skates into our zone, but I see our forwards just skate aimlessly back to our zone without doing anything else, like closing in on the puck carrier or disrupting pass attempts. This “looks” like we’re being “defensively responsible”, but causes nothing but issues. We’re letting the puck carrier gain all the speed, saying “please sir, right this way”.

Improving Forecheck by Fixing Common Issues

There are many aspects of proper forecheck that can be taught through identifying common issues. Here are some prime examples I see:

Lack of Urgency

One of the easiest thing to lose on the ice is urgency. Wings on offense will be screening the opposing goalie in front of the net, then see the shot go wide, and stay there. When the shot is taken, this is the moment to move. Move out of the way for the shot to go through, give a swing with your stick for a possible redirect, and use this momentum to retrieve the puck behind the net if necessary. “Aggressive Puck Retrieval” should be a mantra.

Stopping

We see forecheckers literally stop/slow down. Once on the forecheck, especially as F1, there is absolutely no reason to stop or slow down your momentum until the puck is loose. Forecheckers should keep skating and keep their momentum through their turns to be on the correct side of the puck.

Did the puck carrier stop on a dime and you skated past him? What we tend to do is stop and chase them, but we’re now two to three steps behind, illustrated here:

Instead we must suppress our urges to go step-by-step with them, skate through, turn without losing momentum, and apply pressure again. Try not to be in the mindset of being on the puck carrier step-by-step. Keep momentum and positioning first:

Notice the turn that F1 makes does not follow the puck carrier. Instead, this turn is the closest turn toward our defensive zone, and this is by design. Turning the other way just to follow the puck carrier’s path is even worse than stopping.

Taking them Head-On

There is a proper way to skate to the puck carrier, and it is never “head-on”. For example, let’s say the puck is dumped deep from the red line and the puck carrier picks it up behind their net. Our F1 is not close enough to apply immediate pressure. Here’s the wrong, “head-on” approach:

Instead of trying to create a head-on collision, time a turn/arc so that you can “run them off the road”, squeezing them into the boards. When timing this turn/arc, it is important to deceive the puck carrier into thinking there’s more room toward the boards. Once the puck carrier commits to the side, speed up, angle them off, while skating into their hands to separate them from the puck. The contact that happens at the boards should not be dangerous, as both parties are skating in the same direction.

Necessary Skating Skills

Some necessary skating skills to adequately forecheck:

• Power Turns – There is a lot of turning involved. Being able to turn sharply without losing speed, turning while looking away, and being confident turning is all critical. Ideally, we want to be able to turn both directions.
• Maintaining balance upon contact – There will be contact with the puck carrier while we minimize collisions. We must be able to make proper contact with the puck carrier, maintain balance, and skate out of the contact.
• Explosive starts – Prior to forechecking, we may be standing still in front of the opposing goalie. Quick starts here will help with the urgency of the forecheck.

Keys to Successful Forecheck

In conclusion, here are the keys to executing successful forecheck:

• Urgency – Be early by acting on the “prospect” of puck possession instead of waiting for actual puck possession.
• Momentum – if the puck carrier stops on a dime and goes the other way, let them do that while you turn, keeping your momentum, and meet him on the other side.
• Route planning – never take the puck carrier head-on, deceive them into thinking they have space toward the boards, and “run them off the road”.

Forechecking is not an extremely difficult task, not requiring too much skill or speed, but more importantly effort and awareness. Most teams just do not know how and when to execute it.

As discussed in the Power Play article, being assertive with what we do, and having a plan is very beneficial when we’re on the ice. If you get to the faceoff circle and wait to see which direction the puck goes before you take your first step, this article is for you.

Traditional Setup

The traditional setup usually has a righty as a right wing, and lefty as a left wing. In beer league, there may be more off-wings (lefties playing right wing, righties playing left wing) but traditionally, we line up in the offensive zone like this:

This Alternate Setup

In the setup suggested in this article, a slight adjustment may be necessary. We want the wing lining up at the board (left wing in this article) to be a righty (off-wing). For forward lines with three lefties the strategy must be adjusted for this side. In the traditional lineup, a lefty on left wing and a righty on right wing, would mean the wings to swap the position in which they line up at the faceoff circle:

We want the wing at the boards to be right handed to protect the puck and be able to shoot quickly. This will be discussed below.

First Steps

The faceoff should not just be for the center. The wings can take their first steps when the referee’s arms twitch. In this faceoff strategy, wings have a set first step that they can take whether the faceoff is won or lost:

The left handed wing on the inside portion of the ice cuts in front of the opposing defender going forward. The right handed wing on the board side will retreat, getting away from their check, and going around behind the center. This sets up for better positioning for any result of the faceoff.

Faceoff Loss

If the faceoff is lost, we must get into a position where we can 1) defend their attack and 2) forecheck. We accomplish this quickly as the RH wing retreats (to have more defensive momentum) while the LH wing goes forward to apply pressure (forecheck).

The LH wing will end up causing chaos with the opposing puck carrier while the RH wing and the center retreats slightly.

Faceoff Win

On a faceoff win, we have a set play to execute. Center wins the puck back to the retreating RH wing as the LH wing moves forward, sees the faceoff being won, and heads to provide a goalie screen. As the screen is set, the RH wing takes a shot on goal, LH wing has body position to get another attempt on a rebound:

An alternative would be if the center wins the faceoff to the defenseman lining up on the left side. The defenseman can delay the shot slightly by moving laterally to give the LH wing to set up the screen. Shot on goal can end up with a rebound. LH wing has body position to get the rebound here as well. If the shot gets blocked, the RH wing has defensive momentum to join the defensive effort in the ensuing rush.

Conclusion

Again, this is only a variation of the faceoff we might take in the offensive zone. Having an agreed upon plan for the three forwards gives the entire line assertiveness and confidence in the execution without the worry of “if something goes wrong”. The worst that can happen is us losing the faceoff, but this set play has a plan for that.

Here we cover some variations of the breakout and some things to keep in mind as we execute the breakout. If you haven’t read Breakout 101 about the basics of the breakout, it’s suggested that you do.

Variations of the Breakout

Standard: “Up” Defense to Wing to Center

This is our standard breakout, but with a small improvement (of nobody stopping or standing still) that we should’ve implemented a long time ago.

• Complete the setup, taking a step deeper into our zone.
• The Puck Carrying Defenseman will skate just past the net and pass diagonally to the Strong-Side Wing who has completed their curl up the ice and is skating away.
• The Strong-Side Wing with the puck then passes laterally to the center.
• Center keeps skating in a straight diagonal, the Weak Side Wing is the next option.
• Strong-Side Wing will join the rush following the Center and the Weak-Side Wing.

Important Notes

• Puck Carrying Defenseman: Try to look up over the net to make sure the Strong-Side Wing will be open. Pass immediately once skated past the net.
• Safety Defenseman: Try not to skate away from the slot too early. Maybe wait until the puck gets to the Center.
• Strong-Side Wing: Present your stick blade toward the inside of the face-off circle, not against the boards. Lefties on the left side will present the forehand, while righties on the left side will present the backhand. Evaluate your passing options – Center, Weak-Side Wing, or bounce off the boards.
• Weak-Side Wing: Once the pass from the Puck Carrying Defenseman leaves their stick, skate as fast as you can diagonally to the middle of the blue line toward center ice. Get off the wall.
• Center: Curl low enough and do not skate too fast through the curl. Accelerate after the curl. Call for the pass if/when the lane is there.

Twist 1: Defense to Center to Wing

This is a twist to our standard breakout, where there isn’t an immediate diagonal pass from our Puck Carrying Defenseman to the Strong-Side Wing. Instead of ringing it around the boards, Puck Carrying Defenseman will keep skating into the corner to find a seam to the center.

• Complete the setup, take a step toward your own zone.
• The Puck Carrying Defenseman will skate and see that there isn’t a pass to the Strong-Side Wing, but an opportunity to skate further into the corner.
• The Puck Carrying Defenseman gets to the corner and makes a diagonal pass to the Center turning up the boards.
• The Center has two options after the pass is received, wings on either sides.

Important Notes

• Puck Carrying Defenseman: Try to look up over the net to check for pressure. Time the pass to the Center.
• Safety Defenseman: Try not to skate away from the slot too early. Maybe wait until it looks like the Center can make the pass to the wings.
• Strong-Side Wing: Do not stop at the half-wall, keep skating up the boards. Bump into a defender if you have to. Once you see the Center get the puck, come off the wall slightly.
• Weak-Side Wing:
• Center: Curl low enough and do not skate too fast through the curl. Accelerate after the curl. Call for the pass if/when the lane is there. If there’s no lane, call for a “reverse” to go the other way, or “boards” to shove it up the boards.

Twist 2: “Reverse” – Defense Skates, Reverses, to Wing, to Center

• Complete the setup, take a step toward your own zone.
• The Puck Carrying Defenseman will skate just past the net and see that there isn’t a pass to the Strong-Side Wing, there is incoming pressure, and there isn’t an opportunity to skate further into the corner.
• The Puck Carrying Defenseman will protect the puck from incoming pressure, and reverses the puck behind the net to the Safety Defenseman. This pass is the “reverse”.
• Safety Defenseman skates behind the net, recovers the puck, passes diagonally to the Weak-Side Wing (technically now this is the strong-side), who passes to the Center.
• This requires all skaters to be flexible and able to make the read on the reverse. This breakout does not have to be quick, just has to react before the defenders.

No Option: Clear the Puck

• Complete the setup, take a step toward your own zone.
• The Puck Carrying Defenseman will skate just past the net and see that there is no clean passing option to the Strong-Side Wing, there is incoming pressure, there is no opportunity to skate further into the corner, and they’ve been on the ice for too long.
• The Puck Carrying Defenseman should shoot the puck at the corner glass with all their strength to get the puck out of the zone. This is the “clear”.
• When the clearing attempt is made, it is vital that the Strong-Side Wing assumes a defensive position to try to give the eventual puck receiver the toughest time to hold the puck, whether it’s at the blue line (contest to shove the puck out of the zone) or in the neutral zone.
• The Strong-Side Wing being able to shove the puck all the way to the other end is very helpful here.

No Pressure: “Wheel” – Defenseman Skates Up

• Complete the setup, take a step toward your own zone.
• The Puck Carrying Defenseman skates just past the net, sees no pressure, and keeps going.
• The forwards should skate forward with the Puck Carrying Defenseman, but with some depth (not the same speed). Wings can skate ahead, while the Center might skate next to the Puck Carrying Defenseman at the same or slower speed.
• The Safety Defenseman should remain closer to the goalie.
• The Puck Carrying Defenseman should skate until there is incoming pressure, and pass it to one of the skaters skating up with them.
• A pass to one of the forwards should be made either when the Puck Carrying Defenseman feels pressure coming, when they cross the red line, or after they gain the offensive zone.
• If the pressure forces the Puck Carrying Defenseman toward the boards, the puck can be shot in hard along the boards. This is a dump in.
• A pass to a forward just before gaining the blue line should be avoided, as the forwards must slow down/stop to avoid being offside. If the Puck Carrying Defenseman must get rid of the puck just before the blue line, the puck should be dumped in.

When Things Go Wrong

Forecheck is Too Strong

Some teams may employ a strong forecheck to keep us in our zone. This means that the Puck Carrying Defenseman must skate quicker with the puck and the pass first must be made early. However, strong forecheck usually means after one good pass, our team will be able to go in for an odd-man rush. Look for the right pass, it will work.

Pass Could Not Be Received

There are a few scenarios where a pass cannot be received properly during a breakout.

• If the pass is too far from the receiver, we want all five skaters to make the same read and assume a defensive position quickly.
• If the pass is too bouncy to take the risk of bouncing over the receiver’s stick, the receiver should try their very best to smack the puck out of the zone. If they can keep the puck bouncy, that’s a plus.
• If the pass is obviously too hard for the receiver to handle, receiver should either try their very best to smack the puck out of the zone, or get a little touch on an open stick blade to let the puck start bouncing to make it difficult for the opposing defenders to recover the puck cleanly and quickly.

Conclusion

1. Be aware of situations and transitions.
2. Skate deep first!
3. Priority is to make sure the other team does not get the puck.
4. Try not to encroach into other skaters’ routes.

What is a Breakout?

A breakout is a team strategy to coordinate an escape out of the defensive zone with 1) puck possession, 2) speed, and hopefully 3) numbers. When a breakout is successful, the team will have exited their defensive zone with the puck and speed, and many times beating some of the opposing skaters to create an outnumbered attack. Breakouts are not necessary when a pass is intercepted by a forward and there’s a chance for an odd-man rush or a breakaway.

Breakouts are usually one of the few “choreographed plays” that exist in the game of ice hockey. As much as the game with possession of the puck seems improvised, the breakout is one of the few things teams practice together with their line mates before games to find the proper rhythm.

When to Use the Breakout

When our defenseman retrieves the puck and does not have immediate forward momentum, it’s advised to use the breakout to exit the zone together as a team. However, we should all get into a habit of watching the play and making the right “read” on changes in possession. This allows skaters to predict the next play and get into their required positions earlier.

When a pass is intercepted and this translates into a breakaway, no, a breakout is not necessary.

However, keep in mind that our first objective is to make sure the opposition does not retrieve the puck in our defensive zone. To avoid this, you will have to be situationally aware of your opposition, getting in front of your check, and sometimes shoving the puck out of our zone in desperation.

Setup of the Breakout

The setup is usually the same for any “choreographed plays” or sequences of breakouts. Once our team has the prospect of retrieving the puck (before we actually get control of the puck), we want to take a step deeper into the zone. All five skaters must come back deeper into the zone.

This has a few purposes:

• Requires shorter passes, and therefore…
• Does not require hard passes
• By skating deeper, you’re skating away from your defender, creating separation
• Creates better timing and spacing between all teammates – if the wings don’t curl, they will be too far from the puck carrier and an attempted pass will get intercepted.

Usually a defenseman will retrieve the puck somewhere near or below the goal line, he skates deeper to the quiet area behind the net. During this time, the wings must skate BELOW their half-wall positions, and then turn (curl) up toward the boards. You do NOT want to stop at the half-wall. Skating below the half-wall position will give the wings more space between the defenders who are usually at the blue line, and then attack them with speed when we receive the pass properly.

While the wings are making the curl, the center is also taking a step toward their own goalie, and then turning up the ice through the middle. Make this sharp turn in the low slot below the hashmarks. The direction you turn does not matter too much. This part usually is NOT done at top speed, but rather slowly. This is the setup.

Skaters’ General Routes

Puck Carrying Defenseman

This defenseman is the first skater to retrieve the puck, look up, and initiate the breakout. This defenseman makes the first pass in the breakout.

Safety Defenseman

This defenseman is the breakout’s safety net, and should be available to play defense when the breakout does not go as expected. This defenseman usually does not touch the puck in a successful breakout.

Strong-Side Wing

Strong/Weak sides of wings will not be obvious immediately, and will be determined after a read is made on the first pass. The Strong-Side Wing is on the side of the ice where the breakout takes place. This wing must receive critical passes from the defense or center, and is the quarterback of the breakout. Here’s the general route:

Strong-Side Wing usually receives the critical first pass from the defensemen. When presenting the stick blade, DO NOT present the stick blade along the half-wall. Present it away from the half-wall toward the face-off dot, even if this means the pass will be received on the backhand. This translates to:

• Righties on the left side and lefties on the right side shows backhand.
• Righties on the right side and lefties on the left side shows forehand.

Weak-Side Wing

This wing is further away from the breakout taking place. Once the read is made on the first pass, this wing will skate hard out of the zone in a diagonal toward the center dot to either: 1) pull the defenders away from the Center, or 2) sneak behind the defenders for a breakaway option. Either way, skate hard, and early.

Generally, the Weak-Side and Strong-Side Wings take similar routes. Until the half-wall, they take the same path. After the half-wall and the first pass is made, Strong-Side Wing will catch the pass, protect the puck, and find the best way to get out of the zone. The Weak-Side Wing on the other hand, will see the first pass made up to the half-board and skate diagonally up the ice.

Center

Center’s job during a breakout is to always be available for a pass, make the best read on the next play, and also suggest the best play possible for an unsuspecting Puck Carrying Defenseman under hard forecheck. Play suggestions such as “Up”, “Reverse”, “Wheel” are on the next part.

Centers must also receive passes in stride, and make sure the puck is safe and away from the opposition. Centers may be forced to clear the puck before settling the puck due to early pressure from the opposition. This decision must be made quick and early, or it will be a turnover.

Important Notes for All Skaters

Be very aware of the situation. One moment the other team will have the puck, and in a blink of an eye, something happens and your team is about to gain possession. Seeing this transition of play and reacting to it early and quickly is vital. Once the defenseman gains puck possession and a wing misses the transition, the snoozing wing is probably not an option for the breakout, and will most likely miss the pass, translating to a giveaway in the other direction.

See the breakout sequence and variations in the next section, Breakout 102.

Conclusion

1. Be aware of situations and transitions.
2. Skate deep first!
3. Priority is to make sure the other team does not get the puck.
4. Try not to encroach into other skaters’ routes.

Introduction

Here are some pointers to keep in mind to play proper, systematic team defense.

Never Join the Rush with your Partner

Especially when there are three people in the rush already, do NOT join them to make it a four-man rush. Instead, delay your zone entry to provide depth int he attack.

Stay behind as a late man joining the rush unless you have the puck or have a clear-cut scoring chance. We tend to join the rush just because we need a goal, disregarding the fact that we don’t even have the puck anymore. Even if we have the puck, we don’t need four guys rushing into the offensive zone in a straight line.

Never Encroach the Winger’s Position

I see us encroaching the winger’s position. As a defenseman without the puck, when our partner has the puck behind our own net, go to the front of our net. We should NOT be asking for a pass up the ice at the half-wall. This is greedy defenseman positioning. Let our forwards do this. Our job is to be a safety net when things go wrong during our breakout.

Don’t Give Space on an Attack Against

Don’t be too far ahead of an attack against us. When we are defending a rush, don’t wait in one spot for the opponents to attack you. Instead, move toward them a little bit, turn with them, match speed and go with them toward our goal. You get more opportunities to bother them. If you stayed one spot, or created a head-on collision, they get past you after one move. Skate with them instead.

Make Early, Assertive Decisions Getting Off the Ice

Make early decisions getting off the ice. Once we lose possession in the offensive zone, it’s usually too late. That’s goal greed guys.

Do Not Get Married to the Puck

We have the puck, and then get stripped. It happens to all of us. Once you get the puck stolen, it may be smarter to let your partner handle the new puck carrier, and for you to check somebody else. If your teammate is checking a guy, you should find another guy to check. He’s probably right behind you.

Retreat with your Partner

When your defensive partner is retrieving the puck, be at most, slightly ahead of him. I’d say we should be around the same distance from our own net, unless the puck is behind the net. Don’t ask for a pass up the ice. That’s not our job. This is also encroaching our wingers’ positions.

Pass Early

Try to make early decisions and let the forwards carry the puck. Read the checking around you and make the right pass. You wait too long, and you get stripped.

Don’t Get Married to the Goalie

Don’t get married to the goalie. We find ourselves next to our goalie to give him… security? This is not necessary if 1) there’s nobody backdoor, or 2) we have the puck.

Certain Distance Between your Partner

When the puck is not on “your side” of the offensive zone, you should be near the middle of the blue line, not in your corner. The pass will hardly ever go there, and you will be late if there’s a turnover put he middle of the ice. You’re too far from your partner.

Conclusion

In conclusion, playing defense is about balance. We must keep a certain distance from our partner, not drift too far away from each other, but being too close to each other is not a good idea either.

When our team is without possession, we must stay near a check, instead of being in a certain “spot”. Don’t guard grass. Defense is always dynamic.

In the previous section, Power Play 101, the issues with traditional beer league power plays without a system, how penalty kills are more effective than power plays, basic formation, and what to expect from each position.

This section will highlight suggested sequences of passes built on the positioning.

If at any point of these sequences you feel like we must abort the play, we can always fall back to our escape passes and reset the power play at the point position again.

Suggested Play Sequences

High-Low-High

• Get the puck to the half-wall
• Net suggests a pass a few feet away from the near post to pull penalty killers and goalie to that side
• Quick pass to the bumper for a shot
• NHL teams show this sequence often, Boston Bruins with Patrice Bergeron comes to mind.

The Pass Back

• Get the puck to the half-wall
• Net suggests a pass a few feet away from the near post to pull penalty killers and goalie
• As the pass is heading to the net man, half-wall comes off the wall and receives the pass
• Quick shot on net

The Backdoor

• Get the puck to the half-wall
• Net suggests a pass a few feet away from the near post to pull penalty killers and goalie to the side
• As the pass is heading to the net man, the opposite half-wall sneaks down backdoor
• Quick cross-crease pass backdoor for a tap-in
• We see this a lot in the NHL with passes from skilled guys next to the net. Toronto Maple Leafs with Matthews/Marner giving backdoor passes from between their skates.

Cross-Ice Pass

• Get the puck to the half-wall
• The umbrella rotates, opposite half-wall moves to find a passing lane
• Puck carrier finds the seam for a hard pass across, between the penalty killers
• Quick shot from the other side.
• NHL teams show this sequence often. Capitals Kuznetsov passing to Ovechkin, Fiala on 22-23 Kings passing to Kempe comes to mind.

Behind the Net

• Get the puck to the half-wall
• Pass the puck to net man behind the net
• Net man keeps skating behind the net while the opposite half-wall comes down to the face-off dot
• Pass up to the half-wall for a quick shot on net to the far post

Point Shot

• Start with the puck at the point
• Pass the puck to either of the half-wall
• Pass the puck back to the point
• Quick shot, one-timer would be a bonus.

Outside Inside

• Start with the puck at the point
• Pass the puck to either of the half-wall
• Pass the puck to the bumper
• Quick shot, one-timer would be a bonus

Conclusion

Again, we should not limit ourselves to these sequences, but have some of them in the back of our minds that when you see a sequence initiated with the first pass, you can move accordingly and have everybody involved be on the same page of the playbook without the penalty killers knowing.

This is part one of a two-part blog regarding common issues with beer league power plays and its ineffectiveness. In part one of this two part Power Play Series, I will discuss some common issues I have noticed in beer league power plays.

What are the Issues?

In hockey, power plays are supposed to be an advantage. However, beer league teams seem to be unable to capitalize on these golden opportunities, causing the advantage to look more like a disadvantage. Based on my observation, and also from personal experience, some common reasons are:

• Pressure to capitalize – This is when your brain goes into panic mode and tells you, “It’s a 5-on-4 we HAVE to score NOW!”
• Lack of a system
• Lack of practice (But hey, I’ll go easy on you with this one. It’s beer league!)

All the these reasons contribute to the panic and utter chaos that come out in beer league power plays.

On the other end of the spectrum, beer league penalty kills (PK) often turn out to be more successful. This is likely due to the following reasons:

• No pressure to capitalize – When you’re down a player, you typically don’t have as high of an expectation to score.
• A system usually exists, which is typically a passive box. But also, most players know what they should do when they get the puck in a PK…clear it!

Because there is a system, beer league players in penalty kills tend to be much more assertive – having little to no hesitation – on what they need to do, the complete opposite of the power play situation. Therefore, it is important for teams to be able to go into their power plays with a system as well. Power Plays need assertiveness, decisiveness, and patience. After all, you have the player advantage.

Be in a position.

Be an option.

Be patient.

Attack.

Basic Formation

Here is the basic formation for the power play, looking like a 1-3-1 diamond in the offensive zone. There are five positions to be discussed.

• Half-wall (right)
• Half-wall (left)
• Point
• Net
• Bumper

Half-wall

Description

• Half-wall or “flank”
• Position is occupied by either a forward or a defenseman.
• Player in this position should be good at puck possession
• Try not to panic from pressure.
• Find seams for a pass.

Notes

• Skate up and down the half-wall depending on who has the puck and the teammates’ positions.
• Try to keep the butt close as possible to the boards.
• Constantly be aware of where the escape passes are.
• When necessary, spin to evade checking while protecting the puck.

Passing Options

• First option is to the bumper man for the one-time shot.
• Second option is to the other half-wall for a cross ice pass, especially when the penalty killers are on one side.
  • Third option is to the net.
  • Fourth option is up high to the point man to reset the play up high.

Bumper

Description

• Position is occupied by a forward.
• Player in this position is the triggerman, the shooter.
• This player will not have much time with the puck, so being aware of where the preferred passing options and escape passes are vital.
• This player is usually in the middle of the four penalty killers, so constantly being in the middle of them while maintaining passing lanes (not always possible) will help.

Passing Options

• If you have the time, shoot. Bumper is in the best position for a shot.
• In a panic, swipe the puck all the way to the wall. We’ll get there.
• Pass to either of the half-walls are just fine.
• Quick pass back to where the puck came from is also fine.

Net

Description

• Position is occupied by a forward
• Net provides net-front presence when there is a shot.
• Usually the first player to get their stick to a rebound. Be first.
• When shots miss and go behind the net, be the first to retrieve that puck and get the puck to reset the power play.
• When the puck is at the half-wall, suggest and receive the escape pass down low.

Notes

• Be aware of where the escape passes are.
• There may be tips available on incoming shots.

Passing Options

• A pass in front to the bumper for a quick shot
• A pass across to the other half-wall for a cross ice pass
• A pass to the half-wall on the same side
• A pass all the way up to the point man
• Probably not a “shooting” position, unless with very quick hands to deke out the goaltender

Point

Description

• Position is occupied by a defenseman.
• Player in this position is the puck distributor who can put a shot on net through traffic.
• Player in this position must defend potential 2-on-1s if they happen.
• Player in this position can also one-time shots if a pass comes from the proper side.
• Do NOT creep into the zone. At the very least, keep your skates on the blue line. Your teammates depend on you to be an available option.

Passing Options

• One option is to move side to side along the blue line to evade pressure.
• Another option is to pass over to either of the half-walls.
• If possible, another option is to shoot through traffic to get the puck to the net.

Conclusion

With a system in all our minds, the power play unit should have a general idea of where the teammates are, leading to less hesitation, better quality and longer puck possession.

Next section, Power Play 102, will cover suggested sequences (plays) on the power play.