In this chapter, we deal with plays entering the offensive zone. Whether the rush starts from a successful breakout in the defensive zone or results from a counter or regroup in the neutral zone, offensive zone entries are a key strategy for generating successful scoring chances.
Entering the offensive zone in control of the puck is every player’s goal. Not turning the puck over when entering the offensive zone is every coach’s goal. Let’s face it. We play this game to battle for and enjoy possession of the puck. Puck possession needs to be a key underlying philosophy, not only for playing hockey at a high level but also for enjoying it.
Coaches universally become disappointed with players who needlessly lose possession of the puck in two areas. The first is the 7 or 8 feet (2.1 or 2.4 m) just outside the blue line, and the second is the 7 or 8 feet just inside the blue line. Players turning over pucks in these two critical areas tend to hear about it. Why? When the puck is turned over here, the opposing team can counter quickly and create outnumbered attacks. This result happens because the two forwards without the puck tend to be anticipating the puck going deep, and they are in that “flat” vulnerable position along the blue line with no speed (figure 3.1).
With the recent hybrid icing rule being incorporated at the professional and many amateur levels, teams are now taking advantage of early area plays. Although these plays may go for icing, they usually create a foot race between the attacking forward and the defenseman. Coaches often allow or encourage one of the forwards to stretch early and then to use a flip pass, bank pass, or long direct pass to try to get in behind the opposition’s defense (figure 3.2a). If the stretch player misses the pass, he must get to the face-off dot before the opposition defense so that the icing will be waived off. If the pass doesn’t connect but the forward wins the foot race, possession will be obtained low in the offensive zone.
As mentioned in the chapter on breakouts, many teams now use indirect breakout passes to try to spring one of the wingers into open ice or get an odd-man rush. These passes are often made off the boards and into an area that the winger is skating toward. The player receiving the pass can often adjust his skating and get to the puck before the defensive team has a chance to adjust. Again, missing the pass is usually not a problem because of the hybrid icing rule and the advantage for the offensive team to win the race to the puck (figure 3.2b).
When playing five on five, the player with the puck must read the opponent’s pressure when entering the offensive zone. If the gap between the player in possession of the puck and the defender is large or adequate, obviously the attacking player keeps possession of the puck and enters the attacking zone. If the player with the puck senses pressure, his first option is to pass, but if that isn’t available, the cross-ice dump or chip are two tactics that can reduce this pressure and create a chance for puck possession deeper in the zone. Coaches should set up practice drills that incorporate this read. Drills that allow the puck carrier to react to varying gaps by the defender and varying pressure help to make these decisions with the puck more automatic and successful in game action.
The cross-ice dump (figure 3.3) works best under two conditions:
The perfect cross-ice dump hits the boards halfway between the net and the side boards and angles away from the goalie toward the half boards.
A second tactic when the offensive player reads pressure is to rim the puck to the wide side. The player entering the zone senses that his teammate skating wide can retrieve the puck. Therefore, the player with the puck rims it hard around the boards (figure 3.4). To increase the probability of the puck making it by the goaltender, he takes a quick wrist shot. If he uses a slapshot, it has to be hard enough to clear the back of the net because most goaltenders will read a rim when the player winds up for a slapshot.
At the top levels of hockey, this tactic has limited success. Goalies in today’s game are so mobile and so good at trapping the rimmed puck that few pucks get around to the desired teammate. Most are stopped behind the net and turned over to the opposing defense. Before using this tactic, know the opposition goaltender. If he isn’t mobile or is poor at trapping the puck off a rim, then use it more often. Conversely, if he gets out of his net quickly and is able to handle the puck, rimming it will only result in a turnover.
The chip tactic (figure 3.5) is used in many areas of the ice, but it may be most effective during an offensive zone entry. Chipping the puck can be considered a pass if done correctly. Chipping refers to banking the puck off the boards to a space behind the defender. The chip works well because it puts the puck in better offensive position (behind the pressuring defender) and gives the player chipping the puck a good chance of retrieving it. Younger players make a monumental mistake by not pulling the defender off the boards slightly toward the middle of the ice before chipping the puck. If players are close to or right next to the boards, angling the chip to a place where it can be retrieved is nearly impossible. The goal of the chip is puck placement.
Chipping the puck past the defender forces him to turn and try to catch the offensive player. Because the offensive player is moving forward with speed and his supporting teammates are moving to that area, the defender is often caught in a difficult position. Several years ago the defender would have been able to hook or hold up the offensive player for a few seconds but not anymore; the obstruction rules have eliminated that tactic. Therefore, the defender’s inability to pressure the player with the puck creates the opportunity for puck possession deeper in the offensive zone.
The chip has two options for retrieval. The first is to chip the puck and have the same player retrieve it. The second and most effective is to chip the puck into the space behind the defenseman and have a teammate with speed pick it up (figure 3.6). The chip to a teammate should always be used when the puck carrier has no room to carry the puck but has a teammate moving to support the space behind the defense. This strategy is also commonly referred to as attacking the space behind the opposing defense. Get your players to visualize this tactic and constantly talk about the space behind.
Most coaches prefer outside-drive entries because a dangerous turnover is less likely to occur. Players who enter the offensive zone with the puck in the middle often face several risks. The major concern is that any sideways movement in the middle of the ice brings with it the opportunity for the defenseman to stand up and make an open-ice hit. Most major open-ice hits occur as players are carrying the puck into the middle of the ice on offensive zone entries (figure 3.7).
Many talented and offensively gifted players use this middle-ice space to pass off to teammates coming from behind the play with speed. This entry tactic is exceptional when executed properly because backspeed—players moving from behind the puck carrier with more speed than the puck carrier—can catch defenders completely off guard.
The back-side pass upon middle entry (figure 3.8) is the most difficult to execute because it requires more skill, but it is always the most effective. Players gifted with the puck often carry it across the middle of the offensive zone just inside the blue line and then pass back toward the space where they have just come from to a player with vertical speed. The effectiveness of this entry comes from shifting the defenders sideways, with the puck carrier thereby opening up space for the player on the back side to enter the zone.
A second option for the puck carrier in mid-ice (F1) is to use a kick and run play by driving across the line through the middle and then bumping the puck to the outside player stationary at the blue line (F2). As F1 continues to drive to the net, he will push the opposition defense back. This action will free up space and time for F2 to shoot or make a play. F2 will have the option to pass back to F1, shoot with F1 screening the goaltender, pass across to F3, or hit the late D1 moving in. If no options are available, F2 can lay the puck behind the net to F1 for low puck possession. This kick and run play is one of the most effective plays for drawing the defense in tight as F1 enters the zone and then pushing them back as F1 passes off and drives to the net. It definitely creates a lot of confusion in defensive coverage (figure 3.9).
The wide-lane drive is the most used offensive zone entry because this space is most often available to the puck carrier. When the puck carrier enters the zone wide, he may have the option to drive deep and try to go around the defenseman or behind the net. Defensemen are usually intimidated by speed and want to protect the space inside, so they will initially give the puck carrier room on the outside and then try to cut off the puck carrier deeper in the zone. The puck carrier may also delay by driving deep and then cutting back up ice to the space where he came from. The puck carrier may also drive and cut inside. He must be able to read options quickly as he enters the zone wide with speed. The puck carrier going wide needs to read where the open space is; if it is deep, he drives around the defenseman; if it is in front, he cuts laterally across in front of the defenseman; if the defenseman closes quickly on the puck carrier, then the best option may be to spin off and delay (figure 3.10).
Sometimes coaches need to have in their back pockets a tactic or philosophy that simplifies the attack options. Funneling pucks to the net is a basic yet effective tactic (figure 3.11). The funnel philosophy says that after a player carrying the puck crosses the top of the offensive face-off circles, that player has only one option: placing the puck toward the front of the net. Under these instructions, the other two offensive forwards should not be trying to get open for a pass but should be driving hard to the net looking for a second-chance rebound. In other words, everything—the puck and the players—is funneled toward the front of the net. If 70 to 80 percent of all goals scored come off a second chance created by a rebound, then the funnel simplifies how to make this happen. In every league the leading scorers are the ones who take the most shots. They understand the funnel philosophy—get the puck to the net. Volume of shots is key.
The funnel opportunity is maximized if the player carrying the puck into the offensive zone and placing the puck toward the front of the net is an offensive defenseman (figure 3.12). Obviously, this option frees up all three offensive forwards to skate into prime position and jump on any loose pucks to create second shots. When shooting from the outside, players should recognize that they aren’t trying to score. At most levels the goaltending is too good, and few are beat from those wide angles. The main objective is to hit the net. Shots should be low for the goaltender’s pad to create a rebound for the players going to the net. Goaltenders usually cannot deflect this type of shot to the outside.
If the defenseman on the rush has speed to attack the net off the rush and the team’s strategy is to funnel pucks, then many coaches give the attacking defenseman permission to go directly to the net, with one rule— after the play turns from a rush to a forecheck, the attacking defenseman must return quickly and directly to the blue line.
When the offensive team realizes they have a potential two-on-one opportunity in the neutral zone, they should attack quickly with speed (figure 3.13). Initially they may cross, but they must attack with speed so that the backcheckers don’t catch them and nullify the odd-man rush. If it is a wide two on one, players should try to get closer to mid-ice right away. Regardless of which side the puck carrier is on when he crosses the blue line, he should get the puck into a triple-threat position—in shooting position at his side so that he can either pass, shoot, or make a move. The puck carrier now needs to read how the defense and goaltender might play the situation and pick the best option. The second offensive player must have his stick in a position to shoot or deflect the puck into the net.
A team can use several strategies when attacking two on one. First, they can try to move the puck once side to side when they cross the blue line to shift the goaltender and the defenseman. Second, they need to recognize whether the D is going to slide. Coaches should include in the scouting report whether the other team has a tendency to slide when facing a two on one. When a D slides, the puck carrier can cut inside quickly or wait out the D and pass around the sprawling defenseman. The puck carrier needs to have patience and poise to prevent the sliding D from being successful.
Three basic strategies can be used for a two-on-two rush. There are no set rules about when to use each, but they give the offensive players options. Although the choice may be dictated by the coaches’ philosophy of play, practicing each option is important. The key principle for all two-on-two rushes is for the offensive players to isolate and attack one defender.
The first strategy is for the puck carrier (F1) to crisscross with F2 and isolate one of the defense men (figure 3.14). If properly executed, the crisscross creates a lateral move that develops a sense of uncertainty in the defender’s mind. The key to the crisscross is for the player with the puck to initiate the lateral movement and be closest to the defenders; the player with out the puck crosses in the opposite direction behind the puck carrier. Young players often mess up this sequence and put themselves offside because the player without the puck is too anxious and goes ahead of the puck carrier. The puck carrier should make the decision about which way he will go.
The second option for the two on two is for the player off the puck (F2) to drive through the middle of the two defensemen, allowing F1 to cross in behind (figure 3.15). This action must be executed just inside the blue line so that the player without the puck doesn’t go offside. Driving between the two defensemen creates a brief hesitation by the defenseman playing F1. This hesitation by the defender will allow F1 time and space to cross and shoot or make a play.
The third option is for both players to double drive. F1 may lay the puck to F2 in the space behind the defender. F2 must move to that space on the inside shoulder of the defending defenseman (D2) (figure 3.16). With the double drive, F1 might choose to shoot off the drive as F2 goes to the net for a rebound.
When the offensive team catches the opposition in a three on two, they should be able to generate a scoring chance. Although not as good as a two on one, it is still a great offensive opportunity. Because three players are involved in the attack, several options are available to create a great chance. Teams should practice and use all four attack options: the high triangle, the midlane drive, the triple drive, and the drive and delay.
Let’s start with the traditional option. Most often in threeontwo situations, the attacking team wants to force the defenders to play man on man with one player and isolate the other defender two on one. F1 drives wide with the puck, and F3 drives wide without the puck (figure 3.17). F2 now trails, looking for a pass from F1. The options available for F1 are to pass to F3, to shoot and create a rebound for F3, or to pass back to F2 for a shot from the high slot. The key read for F1 is whether the opposing defenseman goes with F3 on the wide drive. This movement will give an indication of what is open.
A threeontwo entry with a midlane drive gives the puck carrier even more options. Before entering the offensive zone, players should get the puck to the outside of the ice. Because the two defenders must respect the outmanned situation they find themselves in, their tendency is to back off and allow the entry. After the puck is to one side or the other, the middle attack ing player drives hard toward the net (figure 3.18). F2 drives through the midice seam on the inside shoulder of D2. This is the moment when defenders get confused and make mistakes. Because the middle player (F2) is seen as attacking the net and has position to do so, D2 has to vacate the prime scoring area. The middle drive completely neutralizes that defender’s ability to get involved in what now has turned into a two on one. The farside winger (F3) stays available on the wide side or closer to midice. F1 now has the option of driving and shooting as F2 goes to the net, passing through to F2 for a tip or chance to shoot, or passing to F3 for a wide shot or high slot shot. This attack allows the potential shot to come from the perfect scoring area and forces the goaltender to look through the screen provided by F2.
In the triple drive, a variation of the midlane drive three on two, all three players initially drive deep (figure 3.19). The puck carrier (F1) takes the puck wide with lots of speed. The middleice attacker (F2) continues to drive to the net. This time instead of slowing down, F3 attacks the net. The player with the puck (F1) drives outside the near defender and then immediately cuts hard inside. This action creates separation and a chance to make a variety of plays or take a shot against the grain from the prime scoring area. F2 and F3 need to drive hard to allow F1 more space to work with. If F1 is skating down his off side (lefthand shot skating down the right wing), he will be in a better position to shoot and make a play because he will have the puck on the forehand.
In the world of hockey, as in most sports, speed kills. Outside offensive zone speed has a tendency to back off defenders, and this is where our next offensive zone entry tactic works wonders. The player driving outside with the puck looks as if he will drive the puck hard toward the net, but then just at the right moment, this player pivots or tight turns (always to the outside or away from the defender) and skates back toward the blue line (figure 3.20). This delay creates what every hockey player wants: time and space to make the next move. Initially, the defender will have to give space because he is afraid of the deep drive, and as a result he will take a second or two to react to the delay.
A couple of teaching keys allow this excellent offensive tactic to work. The outsidedrive player (F1) must sell the drive to the net. The perfect time to turn up is when the offensive player is level with or forcing the defender to pivot toward the offensive player. today’s high speed, highpace game gives players with the puck little time to make good plays. Therefore, creating offensive gaps between the player with the puck and the defenders is critical. Wayne Gretzky, an amazing player, scored a high percentage of his goals off this tactic of driving, pivoting, gaining middle ice, and shooting.
A wrinkle in this outsidedrive play is being executed often at the NHL level. As the middle drive offensive player (F2) drives toward the net, he doesn’t stay in front of the net but pulls away and finds a shooting soft spot (not in the middle of the slot) toward the side of the net where the player with the puck (F1) is turning (figure 3.21). As F1 turns back up ice, he makes a quick inside pass to F2.
This play is effective off the rush because it drives the defender to the net and then cre ates separation from this defender, who is reluctant to leave the front of the net. Rush plays like the press and pull are effective because of their drive north and then pull south effect.
Figure 3.22 illustrates the perfect attack with four players involved. At all times on the attack, your players should work hard to establish a fourplayer attack at the offensive blue line. Attacking with four players definitely backs up the defenders. The defenseman joining the rush may be in any of the four positions. Crossing the blue line, the attack formation should look like a diamond, thus giving the puck carrier a wide pass, net play, pass to the late player, or cut off the drive.
Entry into the offensive zone can create one of a coach’s many pet peeves— the offside. High-level coaches speak often about controlling the controllables. John Wooden, the great basketball coach, said, “I don’t worry too much about winning and losing. I worry a lot about practicing the details that deliver the win.” One of the details that deliver the win is never, never, never to put yourself or your team offside. Offside comes from selfish possession of the puck or lazy actions when the puck carrier waits too long to make a play and his teammates go offside while trying to anticipate a pass. Yes, opponents can have a positional influence on the offside, but more often than not the offside is created by the team with the puck instead of the team without the puck. Puck possession is hard to get and hard to keep, so why would a team easily give up a puck that they fought so hard to retrieve?
After a successful breakout or regroup, with the puck in possession of the forwards, one defenseman should follow up as a late-wave option or as one of the three attacking players. As mentioned in the breakout chapter, the center may at times get caught low in coverage, so one defenseman needs to be in the rush. When a defenseman moves up to join the rush, he should read the quality of puck possession. Does a teammate have the puck under control while advancing up the ice? If so, then one defenseman must be activated into the rush. Is it risky to have an active defense? Well, the answer is no. The responsibility is in the hands of the puck carrier; he must make good decisions and pick the right options. A defenseman should join and stay in the rush from the breakout, through the neutral zone, and then read the quality of puck possession at the offensive blue line.
By joining the rush and staying in as the third or fourth attacker, the defenseman creates confusion as opponents try to figure out their coverage on the backcheck. In addition, an active defenseman usually results in more odd-man rushes because he can get up the ice quicker than the other team backchecks. If the quality of puck possession is good, defensemen should have the green light to go to the net, but they must know that they cannot stop and hang out in front for the puck—they have to get back to the blue line. Allowing your defense to join the rush is a good strategy, but you don’t want it to cost you the other way and give the opposition a chance to get an odd-man rush.