Players face many different situations throughout a hockey game. Knowing how to read and react to these different situations will enable you to make better decisions on the ice.Please note that I used the words defenseman when describing the last 2 players back (can be a defenseman and a forward) as well as used the word center to describe the forward that is occupying the middle of the ice (can be a left or right winger that has changed lanes or has entered the defensive zone first)
1 ON 1 SITUATIONS
1 on 1 offense
· If Defenseman stands you up at blue line (does not back in) or is a slower moving defenseman - GO WIDE - - you have the time and space to get to the net.
· If Defenseman gives you the blue line (backs in) - - MAKE YOUR MOVE INSIDE - you have less space to move around him, but at the same time you are closer to your destination - the slot and net area.
· Don’t forget that you are skating forward, and the defenseman is skating backwards, SO USE BIG MOVES AND CHANGE SPEEDS – this often confuses the defenseman.
Please Note
Defenseman don’t play the puck on a one on one (they are instructed to play the body, and they try to poke check the puck without looking down). Be aware of this, make sure you do abetter job at protecting the puck. You should practice stick handling with the puck on your side instead of always directly in front of you.
1 on 1 defense
· DO NOT PLAY (and look at) THE PUCK, you should however try to poke check the puck from the puck carrier (always keep the stick on the ice)- - keep one hand (top hand) on your stick, elbow close to your body, looking at opponents chest, and keep poke checking at puck without looking down. (I Like defenseman to make short quick pokes both vertically and laterally).
· If possible (not always the case) try to make contact with puck carrier at the blue line, if this does not materialize, you need to make contact at the top of the circle at the very latest - - DO NOT BACK IN PAST THAT POINT.
· Angle the puck carrier towards the boards, ALIGN YOUR OUTSIDE SHOULDER WITH PUCK CARRIER’S INSIDE SHOULDER.
· keep the gap as close as possible between yourself and the puck carrier, this will enable you to take away the puck carrier’s time and space
· When opponent is about to beat you (or you feel you are about to get beat) you need to turn around and start skating in the same direction as the puck carrier (so now you are both facing the goaltender), and you have to finish your play. NEVER come to a complete stop (feet stop moving) and trying to take a swing at the puck with your stick. Your feet should never stop moving.
· If the attacker delays you must stay with him and continue 1-1 battle with him.
Please Note
Defenseman playing at higher levels (Midget AAA, Junior, NHL) need to take it a step further. It is important to know if the attacker is left or right handed, and also if he is coming in on his off-wing or strong side side. If the forward is coming in on his off wing, you need to play a closer gap because he is in a better position to take a shot from the middle of the ice (without exposing the puck). If the forward is coming in on his strong side, you can play a little larger gap (but not too wide)as he will have to expose the puck to you as he cuts to the middle of the ice.
1 ON 2 SITUATIONS
1 on 2 offense
When attacking the opposing team and you are alone against two defenders, you have several offensive tactics you can use, depending on which one of the following options you will decide to pursue:
1. you will wait for support to arrive, or
2. decide to take on the 2 defenseman by yourself
If you decide to wait for support, I think it is important to see if the defenseman will give you the blue line without a confrontation. If you can easily obtain the blue line, then one tactic is to use is a delay (normally between the blue line and top of the circle, performing a tight turn or reverse pivot), this will buy you some time for some support to arrive.
On the other hand, if you see that the 2 defenseman are standing you up at the blue line, then I like for players to dump the puck into the corner (place and chase). Normally what will happen is one of the two defenseman will come and battle you in the corner, and the other defenseman will go and protect the net area. (defenseman are instructed to always have D1 pressure the puck, and D2 protect the net area). So basically what you have done is turned your 1 on 2, into a 1 on 1 in the corner, and you also are buying time for some support to arrive.
If you decide to take on the two defenseman without waiting for support, I suggest going wide on the slower/weaker of the 2 defenseman and driving to the net (use inside/outside fake), and once he is beat, use your body to shield against opposite defenseman as you are coming back into the middle of the ice (use a big burst of speed, no hesitation). If both defenseman are playing parallel to each other, what also works is to cut right through them (defenseman often get confused on who should be covering the attacker). This confusion will give you that extra time to be able to cut right through them and attack the net.
1 on 2 defense
The Strong Side defenseman plays 1on 1 battle with attacking forward.
· Stand up attacking player at the blue line, you have support, so be more aggressive
· Weak side defenseman check to see who the next player entering the zone is,
If it is a back checker, then you can slide over and play the body on the puck carrier, giving strong support to your defensive partner.
If an opponent is the next player entering the zone, then you must stay in your lane, and get ready to play a potential 2 on 2 that is developing.
2 ON 1 SITUATIONS
2 on 1 offensively
· You do not want the defenseman to be in between you and your team mate, so make sure one player is high and one player is lower
· Try to remain on your forehand as much as possible, goaltender is not sure if you will pass or shoot
Do not be scared to shoot. Many 2 on 1’s end up as broken plays when players try and make fancy passes. If you do not shoot, you cannot score.
Non puck carrier should always attack and drive hard to the net and look for loose rebounds once puck carrier has taken a shot on net.
· Attack as quickly as possible to eliminate back checkers that are aggressively fighting to get back into the play
· Use different offensive tactics such as shoulder fakes, fake shot and pass, shooting while looking at your team mate etc…these normally work really well on 2 on 1’s (be creative but also make sure to get a shot on net, do not waste these opportunities)
· If you ever have a 2 on 1 while your shorthanded, ALWAYS SHOOT. You cannot afford for your pass to get intercepted and a 4 on 2 to break out the other way. I encourage the shooter to shoot close corner. If you wind up for a big shot and miss the opposite corner, there is a very good chance that the puck will swing along the boards and put your team in a tough spot as both forwards will be caught up on the play. (pay attention to these small details while playing)
2 on 1 defensively
· As much as possible, try to delay the play, as your team mates are back checking to come and support you.
· Stay in middle of attackers, skating in a line toward the near post
· You need to be able to read the play and attack puck carrier if the opportunity arises (use fakes, poke checks, forwards normally panic and make a poor choice with the puck when pressured).
· Goaltender takes shooter, defenseman deny the pass.
· If there is an original shot on net, make sure you prevent non puck carrier from getting a rebound (tie up his stick etc.., always have defensive side position between the net and the forward)
· Protect the middle of the ice as much as possible.
Don't allow puck carrier to break in post to post but go to him if he cuts in.
· On trailer in middle lane line up with trailer and rush him with the stick in the passing lane when a trailer pass is made
2 ON 2 SITUATIONS
2 on 2 offense
· The goal for any 2 on 2 situations is to isolate one defenseman and turn it into a virtual 2 on 1. This can be accomplished using several tactics:
1. The non puck carrier uses an inside/out or outside/in fake on his defender where he can now drive to the net in anticipation of a pass or a rebound.
2. Use a quick give and go play. The non puck carrier can use a fake to get himself to the inside of his defenseman, receive a pass from the puck carrier, and feed it back through both defenseman back to his forward partner (who went wide on his defenseman
3. Another option is for the puck carrier to attack both defenseman at the same time, once both defenseman come in to play him, the puck carrier uses a drop pass to his partner who skates wide around the defenseman on his side. This tactic normally causes confusion for the defenseman.
2 on 2 defense
· Playing a 2 on 2 from a defensive point of view, is really the same as playing two separate one on one battles.
· Stand up opposing rush at the blue line.
· Weak side defenseman must concentrate on his man and make sure he does not become a factor in the play (must be aware of any give and goes, fakes, etc… as discussed above for 2 on 2 offense)
· Angle puck carrier if opportunity arises.
· If forwards crisscross at the top of the blue line, defenseman should stay in their lanes, however if forwards crisscross at top of the circles or below, defenseman need to stay in check with their original forward (thus defenseman need to crisscross as well)
· Both defenseman should play a tight a gap as possible.
3 ON 1 SITUATIONS
3 on 1 offense
· Attack as quickly as possible, opposing back checkers are on their way.
· If one winger has the puck, I encourage the off side winger or center to skate hard to the net for pass or rebound, deflection, etc… (remember that good things happen when you drive to the net)
· If center has the puck, one winger should drive hard to the net, other winger open up a little bit and prepare for the one timer (goaltender often gets confused as now has larger area to take care of)
3 on 1 defense
· This is a very difficult situation to be in, so remember not too panic, there is a high chance that a shot will be taken on net, your job is to try and minimize the quality of the shot being taken.
· Defenseman are encouraged to protect the middle of the ice in this situation and delay the rush as much as possible – wait for support if possible.
· Use stick to take away any passing lanes, read and react to how the play is developing.
· If winger passes to center in the slot area (trailer pass), you need to attack the shooter, forget everybody else
· If winger takes a shot on net, make sure to tie up any player that is driving to the net.
3 ON 2 SITUATIONS
3 on 2 offense
· As is the case with any odd man rush, you need to attack as quickly as possible, since back checkers are on their way.
· Think of a 3 on 2 rush as a 2 on 1 rush and a 1 on 1 rush (break it down)
· Puck carrier has to be aggressive, read how the play is developing and adjust.
· Use tactics such as crisscross, drop pass, fakes, etc…
· Make sure one player always drives hard to the net, on a crisscross the third forward skates to the net, on a regular entry use the 1-2-3 principle (second attacker drives to the net)
3 on 2 defensemen
· Even though you are outnumbered in this situation, it is important to note that the defenseman should still stand up the opposition at the blue line (this is very important). By doing this you are taking away the forwards time and space to make a decision, many off sides will result if both defenseman guard the blue line (this also buys you some time for back checkers to come back and support)
· Delay the attack as much as possible
· Weak side defenseman play forward and stay with him until the net area, make sure he does not become a factor (tie his stick, etc… do not make him get any rebounds or deflections)
· Strong side defenseman play the 2 on 1 on your side, and important to pressure the center, if drop pass is made in the slot area.
3 ON 3 SITUATIONS
3 - 3 offense
· When attacking the zone on a 3 on 3, you play it the exact same way as the 3 on 2, which means you have to break it down further. Off side forward plays a 1 on 1 on his side, and strong side forwards play a 2 on 2. Now forwards playing the 2 on 2 need play a virtual 2 on 1, by freezing one of the defenseman (as described above on 2 on 2 offense)
· Make sure one player always drives hard to the net, on a crisscross the third forward skates to the net, on a regular entry use the 1-2-3 principle (second attacker drives to the net)
3 - 3 defense
· Play very aggressive in the neutral zone, tight gap
· Make sure to stand up opposition at the blue line
· Communication on who is picking up who (should be done by the red line)
· If back checker picks up the puck carrier, then stay with him until the play is over, finish your check.
· If the back checker has picked up the weak side forward, then the weak side defenseman play a 2 on 2 on the strong side.
· Take the attackers all the way to the net, stay on the defensive side and control their sticks.
· Remember that the first 3 players into the defensive zone (usually 2 D and 1 F) should always be battling down low.