Reply To: breakouts at mite (7-8 y.o.) level

[Robert Mattson]

Just my 2 cents, good luck and write back on the outcome.

We taught and practiced breakouts for the first time yesterday with my mite team. (Given the 4 ice slots/week time commitment that it takes from the parents and players, I did not organize separate dry land practices, although I agree that would be the way to go when practical.) We had the coaches demonstrate 2v0 with number 1 (puck) and number 3 (boards) and the kids did a great job of picking it up and running a 2v0 breakout drill. They did so well, in fact, that we had the coaches demonstrate 3v0 with number 1 (puck), number 3 (boards) and number 4 (middle support). The kids also picked that up well when we tested them with a 3v0 dump-in and break out. With 9 players, we shot pucks into both corners and the kids entered from the neutral zone and organized themselves for the breakout, based on where they were relative to the play — no positions like D, W, or C. We alternated corners so one group could break out while we shot the puck in the corner for the next group.

For the rest of practice we did a continuous 3v3 scrimmage, emphasizing the breakout, where the team on D had to clear the puck under control to the next team waiting in the neutral zone. After about 10 minutes, the kids had it down to the point where we did not have to remind the D to come off the ice and remind the new O to attack. As were were focused on the continuous nature of the game and breakouts, we did not stop play for offsides but will add that element in the future.