Reply To: Teaching support in all zones

[Tom Molloy]

Kai, it makes sense to have close support.

I was at an NHL Flames vs. Red Wings game last night and they give close support if there is pressure on the forecheck in their zone, or if they are defending in their zone.

When the opposition dumps the puck in or is changing and the D can get their skates up ice with time then the breakout is more like a power play breakout. The Flames have two players far up in the neutral zone and Detroit had one forward at the far blue line and one swings back through the middle of his zone for a pass.

It works if the far player gets a stretch pass and another player gives him close support but other wise he just tips it in and there is no pressure on the puck.

In Salzburg we would have 2 D and one F fill the three lanes and come up parallel and one high one medium stretch forwards. I will paste some links to show what I mean.

T2 – B4 Chip Puck in On Stretch Pass – Pro
https://www.hockeycoachingabcs.com/videos/watch/t2-b4-chip-puck-in-on-stretch-pass-pro/

T2-4, D100 Breakout vs Nzone Trap-Detroit
https://www.hockeycoachingabcs.com/videos/watch/t2-4-d100-breakout-vs-nzone-trap-detroit/

T2-C3 Breakout the Beat the Passive Trap – RB
https://www.hockeycoachingabcs.com/videos/watch/t2-c3-breakout-the-beat-the-passive-trap/

Kalle Kaskinen who was here with the Finnish U17 and U20 team and now helps coach Jokerit in the KHL gave me a pdf. of his breakout with close support.

I agree with you that 'you must defend so that you can attack and attack so that you can defend.'

Attachments

• T2 – Finnish U17 Attack.pdf (303 KB)

'The Game is the Greatest Coach'
'Enjoy the Game'