Reply To: Clearing the defensive zone

[hockeygod]

MMB

Yeah, eating the puck is another option. A safe option because at least it won`t result in an immediate turnover… hopefully it buys time to outnumber around the puck or get a whistle.

I am not recommending this one, but it has been done with some level of success. The late Roger Nielson had a breakout tactic called counter pinching where he encouraged the D to make a hard rim (on the strong side); ensuring the winger who was breaking out was up high on the opposing D. The goal was to rim the puck along the dasher and the winger would time it such that he would create a gap between his body and the dasher (jamming the offensive D out and away from the boards) so the puck could scoot out. The next closest support player would try to regain the loose puck in the NZ… create a footrace for the puck and maybe a breakaway or a 2 vs. 1 against the remaining D. I think Perry Pearn at NAIT (back in the 1980`s) used a similar system for awhile.

At the end of the day, face the puck, make tape to tape passes and support the puck (multiple options) are still better options. If these can`t happen, eat the puck!

Dean
M.Ed (Coaching)
Ch.P.C. (Chartered Professional Coach)
Game Intelligence Training
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