SKILLS
PURPOSE
To teach both body contact angling and introduce an aggressive 2-1 low zone forecheck. Teaching players to not delay or wait & see – that they have to want the puck and make a move to go get it.
HOW TO
HALF ICE VERSION
- Player starts in far corner and skates behind net to pick up a puck then proceeds to work up board side lane with the intent of getting out of the zone between the two gates.
- We are intentionally working the board-side lane and not stretching the zone to wherever. Making them go through the gates gives and extra element of heads up play.
- F1 and F2 are released BY THE COACH after the D player starts. This allows for a variable attack angle and gap adjustment.
- F1 & F2 try to gain possession – F1 attacks the puck, F2 supports 1-2 sticks length away and adjusts as needed for speed and possession.
- If the forecheckers (F1 and F2) get possession, they go to the net and try to score on a 2v1.
- If the D player gets out of the zone through the gates, they get to come back into the zone 1v2.
QUARTER ICE VERSION
The drill is the same, just a little less space.
FOCUS
- Attacking the puck without delay or hesitation
- Good F2 support
- Proper angling technique and body position to gain possession
VARIATIONS
- Add a second “D” player
- Add a third F to introduce a true 2-1-2
- Allow the “D” player to choose the side of their breakout so forecheckers have to adjust to the angle of attack.
