Hockey Playing Systems Tips
Read these 5 Hockey Playing Systems Tips tips to make your life smarter, better, faster and wiser. Each tip is approved by our Editors and created by expert writers so great we call them Gurus. LifeTips is the place to go when you need to know about Hockey tips and hundreds of other topics.
2-1-2 Forecheck with a Pinch on a Wide Rim
COACHING PRINCIPLES FOR AN AGGRESSIVE 2-1- 2 PLAYING SYSTEM WITH A PINCH ON A RIM
1.Forechecking
A 2-1-2 forechecking system and it's variations focus on causing turn-overs and regaining the puck in the offensive zone by pressuring the opponent and limiting their time and space to make plays.
To do this the team must be good skaters and hard working in order to put constant pressure on the defense.
* The closest checker should create immediate pressure and steer the puck wide angling off back shoulder and make contact. Skate to the mid slot when
the puck is passed away from you. This is important as the original number one must now become either the second or third forechecker and he can read
this situation from the mid slot area.
* The second checker skate to the middle lane and read to get the loose puck if the first checker makes contact, cover the other defenseman on a to D to D pass or give back pressure on a rim.
* The third checker should mirror the play from the mid slot and check the winger on the boards if he gets a pass. When the weak side defense pinches
the third forward covers the mid point area and must play as a defenseman if the opposition breaks out.
* The fourth man supports from the far post and should pinch on a rim with the rule that "both the attacker and the puck cannot get over the blue
line".
* The fifth man, support from the strong side point, and slide across and cover the other point when number four pinches.
1-2-2 Hockey Trap with a Swing
1-2-2 TRAP FORECHECK WITH A SWING
When the offensive player stops with the puck behind the net.
* First checker, forward one, swing in front toward to other side and replace forward two just above the face off circle.
* Forward two swing in front the other way and if the puck carrier stays behind the net he replaces forward three who is above the other face-off circle.
* If the puck is still behind net the original forward would swing, etc.
* When puck is moved from behind then trap as described in 1-2-2 trap.
* In the neutral zone defend the same as 1-2-2 trap.
Defensive Zone Coverage is the one man on and a box behind in all of these systems.
Playing the Trap
PLAYING A 1-2-2 TRAP FORECHECK
1-2-2 Trap
* First player force puck to the outside lane.
* Strong side forward play body on the puck carrier.
* Weak side forward fill the middle lane.
* Strong side defenseman, stand up and defend red and blue line.
* Weak side defenseman cover the weak side forward.
* Outnumber the offense in the neutral zone, dividing ice in half, weak side defenseman cover wide winger.
* When defenders regain the puck, the wide winger should break through the middle for a penetrating counter attack pass.
Defensive Zone Coverage
All systems use the man on and a box behind coverage as described before.
Hockey 2-1-2 with a Pinch on a Wide Rim
PLAYING AN AGGRESSIVE 2-1-2 FORECHECK WITH A STRONG SIDE PINCH
The only change from the 2-1-2 with a pinch on a rim is that the third forechecker mirrors the play from the high slot area and fills for the strong side defenseman when he pinches. Number two usually becomes the third man in the high triangle.
This is a more high risk style and is used when you need a goal. The risk is that forwards are the last defenders back. If a team is going to play
this style the forwards must be good at defensive one on one's.
Backchecking Forwards
* Lock (skate through) the centre up to red line and create back pressure by pursuing the puck carrier. If you have a good angle on the puck carrier then finish the play, if you cannot catch him then play a 2 on 2 with the strong side defenseman.
* Communicate and be sure of who is covering who by the red line.
* If the first back checker is pursuing the puck carrier then the weak side defenseman cover wide winger.
* When the back checker is behind the attacker by more than a stick length then leave the puck carrier for the defense and pick up a trailer. Don't check from behind.
* If the first forward is caught up ice giving up a 3-2 then back check to the middle (slot) area, otherwise cover the trailer.
* The last two forwards pick up points; the second forward to the mid slot area and the third forward the puck side point.
* Defenseman read the rush and call out coverage by the red line. On a three on three, if the forward is covering the weak side winger then the weak side defenseman slide to the middle and play a two on two with his defensive partner.
* If the forward is covering the wide winger on a shoot in, hold up the winger then go high on boards for a possible rim.
* Defense try to avoid backing in, if you fear the attackers speed give room on the outside rather than back in and give up the blue line.
Hockey Tactics
"PLAYING SYSTEMS"
A teams tactics and game strategies are dependent on the skill and game understanding of you own team and the opponent. In short the game plan is based on the total of the individual defensive and offensive kills of the players individually and in units.
To use an extreme example; if the team can control the puck 100% of the time then no defensive team play skills would be necessary. At the opposite extreme,
if the players have very little offensive skill, then they would rely heavily on their defensive skills.
In this booklet we are outlining some of the most typical team tactics and strategies of the most successful teams.
All defensive systems start by reading the situation; whether the opponent has control of the puck, or is facing the boards. The first checker must decide
whether to be aggressive of contain and his team-mates react according to his actions. If he makes contact an aggressive system is used, if he contains a more passive system or a trap is used.
