Module 4: Hockey Offensive Zone

Hockey Coaching Course Module 4: Offensive Zone

Hockey Coaching Course Module 4: Offensive Zone

Module 4 is all about the offensive zone. Traditionally coaches liked to say that offense cannot be taught, but we do not agree. Developing tactical concepts and creative options can help get everyone on the same page. The most important piece in the offensive zone is to get possession back when you lose it, sustain pressure, and find ways to get pucks to the net. Create 2 on 1’s out of the corner, get pucks to D, keep your feet moving, and plan to score on the second shot/rebound (shoot the puck!).

Hockey coaching course modules 1-6 available

Note: These hockey coaching video tutorials are downloadable versions created for our online coaching course, www.howtoplayhockey.ca. The entire course is a available for just $9.99 CAD / month. Some of our students prefer to download the instructional videos to make them accessible to their players and coaching staff in dressing rooms and arena hallways around the world where wifi might not be quite so available. We have listened, and have made Modules 1,2 & 3 available on this site, with more to follow soon.

Module Video Content

• Offensive Zone Forechecking 
• Offensive Principles
• Offensive Zone Entries: Possession on Entry
• Offensive Zone Tactics

OFFENSIVE ZONE FORECHECKING 4.1

Forechecking Overview 4.1.1

Want to beat the other team’s breakout with a bunch of forechecking options? Watch this video, and get ready to count. 1-2-2, 2-1-2, 1-3-1, Left lane lock, passive vs aggressive. Wheels, quick ups, and rims. Ready?

Forecheck- 1-2-2 Against all Breakouts 4.1.2

The 1-2-2 forecheck can be used against a wide variety of breakouts. If you can read what’s coming your way, you should be able to adjust and create those oh so precious turnovers in the offensive zone.

Forecheck- 2-1-2 Against all Breakouts 4.1.3

A 2-1-2 forecheck is a much more aggressive choice, yet done correctly can be very effective without being risky. Everyone has to be on the same page here for sure.

Forecheck- 2-3 or Left Lane Lock Against all Breakouts 4.1.4

Committing one forward to stay high enough to assume the position of a D man on this 2-3 forecheck takes a lot of team discipline. It can also leave a pretty big gap between the first 2 forecheckers and the next line of defense if you are not careful. Check it out.

Forecheck: Torpedo 4.1.5

Want to forecheck like a madman, and let your D be really active offensively? Try this Swedish style forecheck called the Torpedo. You can bet it’s chaotic for the opposition with a name like that. Jumping on puck advancements is critical here.

Forecheck: Controlled: Deep Trap+Swing with Speed 4.1.6

When I played in the Swiss A League, Oleg Petrov used to come back for the puck on a controlled breakout and the stadium would go nuts, wanting to see an end to end rush and a goal. He was that good. A forecheck like this was perhaps the only chance we had to quiet those fans and thwart his attack.

OFFENSIVE PRINCIPLES 4.2

Grey Zones 4.2.1

Games are often won and lost based on turnovers 5 feet either side of the blue lines. When the puck is in the grey zone, there are often all 10 players in close proximity. Moving the puck laterally through such dense traffic is often a recipe for disaster.

Stretch Skating 4.2.2

A traditionalist calls this ‘Cherry Picking.’ A coach or player in the new age of hockey calls this ‘challenging the opposition and making use of the ice with no red line.’ You need width and depth to an attack. You get the depth by making sure you are stretching at least one forward.

Offensive Controlled Skating 4.2.3

You can’t play the game 100mph all the time. You’ll rush your teammates and get too far ahead of the play, then have to slam on the breaks to stay on side. Supporting the puck means controlling your speed and finding the right time to ‘jump.’

OFFENSIVE ZONE ENTRY 4.3

Possession Upon Entry: On Powerplay 4.3.1

Teams that have the puck a lot are fun to play on, and quite frankly win more than teams that are always throwing the puck away. Here are some strategies to keep possession on the power play.  You’ll learn patience and creativity. They used to say you can’t teach offense.’ I think that is just something coaches that don’t know how to teach offense.

1-2-3 Triangle Attack 4.3.2

I remember from math class that there are many types of triangles: Equilateral, isosceles, obtuse, and perhaps some others. It turns out they are all useful in supporting the puck.

Numerical Advantage on Attack 4.3.3

Read the situation and plan accordingly. The more strategic tricks you have up your sleeve, the more options you will see at any given moment on a line rush.

Drive and Delay 4.3.4

Push those D back, create some room in the high slot, and look for teammates arriving late to the party, or on the weak side of the ice.

Net Drive 4.3.5

Someone has to ‘take one for the team.’ Often the player that drives the net is not the one that gets the shot on goal. If 80% of goals are scored on rebound, then creating space for a teammate, then banging in a rebound sounds like a pretty realistic opportunity to score.

How to Go to the Net 4.3.6

Every second of the game creates a new scenario. Having your body in position to receive a pass, or increase your odds is a very important part of the game. Just showing up is not nearly enough. Here is a technical body positioning tip that will help.

Applying Offensive Pressure 4.3.7

We need to recognize that speed is deadly. Take your offensive game to the opponent and attack with the same passion with which they will be defending against you.

OFFENSIVE ZONE TACTICS 4.4

Offensive Tactics in the Zone Overview 4.4.1

If you like to score, you’ll be licking your chops after this overview. Coaches used to say you can’t teach offense. I think that’s just a good line for coaches that don’t know how to teach offense. Here are tools you can implement right now. Yes right now, without any further skill development.

Offensive Tactics: Attacking the Net from the Point 4.4.2

If I were a defenseman I’d go crazy watching how little forwards make use of wide open D in the offensive zone. Here’s a tip: Get it to the point!

Offensive Tactics: Cycling Variations 4.4.3

It’s called cycling because of the circular motion the attacking forwards skate while keeping possession of the puck in a low risk area. This video will help you create offensive chances off the cycle.

Offensive Tactics: Walkouts 4.4.4

With these tips, your life as a ‘perimeter player’ may now officially be over. Let us help you find areas of the offensive zone that are like chinks in the armour of your opponent. These soft areas of the ice may surprise you. Go ahead, take it to the net. I dare you.

Offensive Tactics: Plays in Tight 4.4.5

Wayne Gretzky of yesterday, and the Sedin twins were magicians at creating space, or finding space that seemed unavailable, in and around the net. I don’t have them entirely figured out yet, but here are a few tips.