The 2-3 forecheck also known as the’ left lane lock’ is an interesting forecheck because it is conservative in the sense that we have dedicated a forward, very often the Left Winger, to act like a Defenseman along the blue line in the offensive zone. That is fairly passive, but the two Forwards in the 2-3 have to be really aggressive. They’re finishing checks, they’re hounding the puck, they’re creating turnovers and the more checks they can finish and the more aggressive they can be, the greater chance we have to create some turnovers and execute on offense.
If these Forwards are slightly passive in this 2-3 scenario, it’s quite easy to beat the first line of forecheck with a pass and now we’ve got three across the blue line that are flat and we don’t have that wedge that we’ve talked about so much in forecheck systems to apply any pressure.
(Audio Transcription from How to Play Hockey: Our Minor Hockey Coaching Course.)
2-3 Forecheck on a Quick Up:
- The opposing D has the puck and takes pressure from our F1
- F2 is waiting to see what’s going to happen and jump on the next pass but if it comes on the quick up then this the F3 on the blue line has to go right away!
- Now the middle lane D1 is going to slide to cover the F3 wall position on the blue. Weak side D2 slides to the middle lane on the blue.
- F2 reads this and slides up to cover the weak side along the blue.
- We now have F1 and F3 engaged, with D1,D2 and F2 all rotated and covering the blue. Keeping our 2-3.
2-3 Forecheck on a D to D:
- F1 pressures the puck carrying D.
- F2 is reading the D to D, and jumping on that opposing D2 the the D to D is made.
- If the puck pops loose up the boards the strong side D1 jumps.
- Middle lane D2 slides over to cover.
- Weak side F3 slides to cover the middle.
- After finishing his/her check, F1 has to get back hard to the blue. Either to the weak side or communicating with the F3 about maybe taking the middle. That is all about reading the play, breakout and communication.
2-3 Forecheck on a Wheel:
- F1 has forced the opposing D1 behind the net.
- F2 is reading this, ready to jump and break up that play very often when the D is wheeling and they’re feeling the pressure from F1 they may not be ready for the pressure of F2.
- If the opposing D1 is forced to rim the puck, then we are here to close off again with our strong side D1.
- Then we follow the same rotation as the D to D. D2 slides over to cover, F3 slides over and we get a FWD coming back up to cover and keep those three players high.
- If the puck comes up the wall then we are ready for it and if it comes somewhere in the middle, ideally this F1 is ready to get back in to break that up.
2-3 Forecheck on a Reverse:
- Again we forced the opposing D1 behind the net.
- F1 is in pursuit either behind or in front.
- When the reverse comes here and the D2 leaves to go get it our F2 comes hard.
- F3 is ready to come down if needed.
- Then D1 slides over.
- D2 slides over.
- One of our FWD’s is recovering back up to the top again.
2-3 Forecheck on a Rim:
- F1 pursues the opposing D1 who is forced to rim it.
- The puck is very likely going to beat the F2.
- D1 is ready to jump.
- D2 is ready to slide.
- F3 is ready to slide.
- F1 would try to track back and recover either through the middle or across depending on where the puck goes.
So that is the 2-3 forecheck, also known as the left wing lock, thanks for reading! Why don’t you take the course and watch the detailed video instead?
Other Minor Hockey Resources
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