(Transcribed from How to Play Hockey: Our Minor Hockey Coaching Course.)
The D to D breakout. The pass that creates this break out is absolutely critical in every zone and that’s the D to D pass. This video is about the D to D pass specifically in the defensive zone. A D to D breakout but it’s also extremely useful in the neutral zone and even in the offensive zone with defensemen using each other, using their partner is a great way to move the puck from strong side to weak side with possession.
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The way I’m going to describe the D to D in this example is that of playing out of a puck battle. The play is in the corner and D1 is fighting for the puck on the wall with our C.
Example:
- D1 wins the puck battle on the wall.
- The weak side D who is in net front position can call ‘D to D’ or ‘partner’ or ‘over’. As he/she yells this he/she releases from net front to a soft area position off the far side post of the net.
- D1 makes a pass to that same soft area for D2 to retrieve either a direct play or a bank pass off the wall behind the net.
Common mistake is that the D2 releases too early. If we turn the puck over, now we have no net front coverage so it kind of happens together as D2 knows that this D1 has committed to making the play and it’s going to make it so successfully you can release.
The better anticipation you have the earlier you can leave. Ideally, as you get it, you would like to have your feet pointed up ice so that you can start skating rather than retreating back for a puck there. That takes being there a little bit earlier but again you don’t want to be too risky.
That’s the D to D and you’ll be hearing a lot more about this in other zones as well! Thanks for reading! Why don’t you take the course and watch the detailed video instead?
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