The “Give & Go.” One of the most used passing tactics in all of sports. Whatever the sport, it gets defenders moving and creates room for offensive plays. The give and go is a passing tactic used in every sport where a ball or puck is used.
The most obvious example is in the offensive zone. You see it on the power play a lot but also five on five. To pass the puck to a teammate and jump to a hole and get it right back for a quick shot would be the most obvious example of a give & go, but it can happen all over the ice.
Example:
- We are in the defensive zone and the W has the puck skating up the wall leading our breakout.
- At the same time our C is supporting through the middle as a pass option.
- We see that the opposing D has bad gap control on us.
- The W makes a pass to the C, which forces to make the opposing D to pinch on him/her.
- Once this happens the W keeps moving up ice with speed to the quiet area and the C gives it right back creating a small “Give & Go” play.
- Now we have successfully broken out of our zone with two quick passes, and we’re off to the races.
This is a really effective way to lose the defender that is trying to cover you. You just have to make that pass, jump to a hole and get it back. Pretty simple but very effective no matter where you are on the ice.
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