T2 – Take the Ice Behind to Create 2-1's -Sweden-Soviets-Pro
When Ice Hockey originated in North America in the late 1800's forward passes were not allowed. The game was played with 6 skaters and a goalie. Later the Rover position was eliminated and teams played with 5 skaters. We developed playing lane hockey with the D staying back, the wings in their lanes and only the centre going side to side. The game now is developing towards "Total Hockey" where players have a Home Position at the Face off and after that it is 1-2-3-4-5 according to the system you are playing, the zone you are in and the closeness to the puck. So we have to teach all players all the offensive and defensive skills in practice.
In other parts of the world the game came later. Bandy is played in Russia and Scandanavia on a frozen soccer field and has a big influence in those areas. German, Czech Republic, Austria have a huge soccer football history and in soccer and bandy they build the attack with lots of give and goes and regroups.
In North America the CONVENTIONAL WISDOM is that you go in straight lines and move the puck up as quickly as possible to trap the other team. This works vs an aggressive PRESSURE forecheck and can create outnumber situations. If you are playing against a CONTAIN forecheck where the send either one or zero players in then you will not beat them to the net with straight ahead speed but have to use CHANGE OF SPEED, CHANGE OF LANES, and create situations where the defenders must make DECISIONS such as whether to switch on a cross or stay with their man.
The attackers must continually go to the "Big Ice" between the dots where more attack options are possible. Create 2 on 1's continuously and regroup to force the defenders to keep a tight gap or to hit a late attacker who is skating fast vs the defenders holding the blue line.
I have put some video from Swedish and the Czech pro teams to demonstrate these offensive options.
Key Points:
When the defenders are using a contain forecheck and are ahead of the puck you cannot beat them skating in straight lines. You must continually isolate the wide player and create 2 on 1 situations. Support by taking the ice behind the puck carrier.
Description:
1. Practice with a 2 on 2 situation and isolate a defender by crossing.
a. Cross drop and #1 screen weak side D.
b. Cross, drop 1 to net, 2 wide.
c. Cross and fake drop. 1 through middle 2 go to the net.
Create 3 on 3 situations in drills and games.
d. #’s 2 and 3 go hard to the net.
e. #1 go to the middle and shoot or pass.
* Other options are another cross behind or pass back to the 4th and 5th supporting attackers.
Important is to change the speed and angle of the attack and force defensive decisions like switch or stay man to man.
https://www.hockeycoachingabcs.com/videos/watch/t2-support-by-taking-the-ice-behind/
T2 – Soviets – Take Ice Behind Support – Soviets
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C600 Isolate Wide D on 2-2 – Pro
'The Game is the Greatest Coach'
'Enjoy the Game'