Author: Coach Tooke
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Breakouts
Getting out of our zone is obviously essential for us to be on offense, and at U16, it’s easy to get stuck there unless we have some plans. There are five essential ways to break out: Quick-Up The most traditional breakout pattern is when D1 is close to the net and has a clear pass…
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S.O.F.T.
Don’t be soft, but play SOFT – Skate On First Touch. Any time you receive a pass when you’re not already on the move, take a few steps towards open ice. There is a temptation to stop and think, but being motionless on the ice is a recipe for disaster. Get in the habit of…
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Basic Attack Concepts
“Outside” Entering the zone, the puck carrier (or F1) can go straight to the net and shoot, or carry the puck into the zone and buy a little time for teammates to enter to set up play options. If F1 goes straight to the net and shoots, it’s considered an “unsupported” shot, meaning that our…
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High Slot
When attacking the opponents’ zone, we have the habit of crashing the net, but there are a lot of reasons to have one forward positioned in the high slot. First, what is the high slot? The high slot is not right in front of the net – that’s the low slot (in purple above). The…
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Faceoff – Neutral Zone
Opposing Center’s Draw The goal of winning all face-offs is to get control of the puck after it drops. In most cases, this means the center should pull or draw it backwards towards our defense. From there, we can begin a play to move it forward and set up zone entry and attack. But even…
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Power Play
1-3-1 Power Play The 1-3-1 has emerged as the dominant power play in the NHL today, and while it may be one of the more challenging systems, it offers lots of great opportunities for rapid shots and rebounds. Here is the basic positioning: Top The top works the puck along the blue line to choose…
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Penalty Kills
General Points Don’t overcommit to getting the puck if you feel it will take you out of position Keep your Sticks in passing lanes. We want to disrupt their passes, particularly the ones moving east-west because those are the ones that are more likely to result in a one-timer or cross-slotline shot. Keep your sticks…
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Faceoff – Defensive Zone
Five Across Lineup Three players in slot in front of our net. Take a look at where your assignment is, and watch the puck drop out of your peripheral vision. As soon as the puck leaves the referee’s hand, EXPLODE toward your assignment. Outside D – (RD in the picture above) moving down behind…
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