A team applies forechecking pressure in three situations. The most common situation occurs when a team dumps or chips the puck in from the neutral zone and then tries to retrieve it while the opponent tries to break out. The second scenario develops when the offensive team takes a shot that creates a rebound. They then forecheck to get the puck back. The final forechecking situation occurs off a turnover. When the offensive team turns the puck over, they need to apply forechecking pressure to get the puck back. Essentially, there are six keys to successful forechecking pressure:

F1 (the first forechecker in) must get in quickly and establish an angle when pursuing the puck carrier. This action will limit the options for the breakout team. Taking away time and space from the breakout team forces hurried plays and mistakes. The quicker that F1 responds to the puck, the less time the offensive team will have to make a play. Coaches often stress the hit, but we believe that the first priority for F1 should be to put a stick on the puck, preferably while separating the puck carrier from the puck by using his body....