Red Wings Cycle
PURPOSE
Work on moving the puck down low, finding a shooting gap and getting quick shots from a net-front presence.
SKILLS
- Reverse cycling down low using the boards
- Quick tape to tape passing
- Recognizing time, space, gaps and shooting angles
- If D is added, recognizing the play and when to pressure vs when to release to the dangerous man in the slot
HOW TO
- Two player set up in the high slot area. Player one drives into corner area, pick up puck.
- As player 1 turns up ice, they play the puck back off the boards and into the corner.
- Player 2 needs to read the play – delay if necessary – to pick up the cycled puck and go behind the net.
- At the same time, player 1 drives to the front. Player 2 breaks goal line and hits 1 for the quick shot.
- Then, players immediately release, with player 1 picking up a puck and starting the cycle from the other side.
FOCUS
- Moving the puck efficiently and reading the play. If you can’t do either of these, the play will stall and/or breakdown. This needs to be a fluid, synchronous movement.
- Both players need to be cognizant of optimal shooting angle relative to the pass and the goal. For example, too far toward the puck and there’s less to shoot at, too far back and you give the goalie too much time to adjust and reset. Optimal is around the low hash mark, 45 degrees to the strong side post.
VARIATIONS
- Add defenders into either circle or in front of the net to play both the shot and challenge the puck carrier behind the net
- change who cycles/passes on the second cycle, meaning 1 releases and goes low while 2 releases and picks up a puck to start the cycle
- Change the location of the cycle from board/corner to lower in the zone or even behind the net.
