- •Foreword
- •Preface
- •Key to Diagrams
- •Reading Pressure and Options
- •Reacting to Support the Breakout
- •Breakout Plays
- •Control Breakouts
- •Counters
- •Regroups
- •Dump-In Entries
- •Mid-Ice Entries
- •Wide-Lane Drives
- •The Funnel
- •Two-on-One Attacks
- •Two-on-Two Attacks
- •Three-on-Two Attacks
- •Offsides
- •Activating Defense Into Offensive Zone Entries
- •Cycling
- •Playing Behind the Net
- •Stretching the Zone: Low-High Plays
- •Activating Defense in the Offensive Zone
- •Attack Zone Plays
- •Power-Play Breakouts
- •Gaining and Maintaining Possession off the Entry
- •Zone Setup
- •Five-on-Three Power Play
- •Four-on-Three Power Play
- •Forechecking Systems
- •Neutral Zone Forechecking
- •Neutral Zone Forechecking Systems
- •Neutral Zone Backchecking
- •Neutral Zone Backchecking Systems
- •Handling Defensive Zone Entries
- •Defensive Zone Systems
- •Situational Guidelines for Defensive Zone Coverag
- •Face-Offs and Penalty Kills
- •Forechecking and Penalty Kills
- •Pressuring the Entry
- •Defensive Zone Play
- •Three-on-Five Penalty Kill
- •Three-on-Four Penalty Kill
- •Offensive Zone Face-Offs
- •Neutral Zone Face-Offs
- •Defensive Zone Face-Offs
- •Power-Play Face-Offs
- •Penalty-Kill Face-Offs
- •Special Face-Off Situations
- •Managing Staff
- •Dealing With Officials
- •Adjusting Your Playing Strategy
- •Managing Lines
- •Line Changes
- •Handling the Moment
- •Index
- •About the Authors
Two-on-Two Attacks
There are basically three strategies for a two-on-two rush. There are no set rules when to use each but they give the offensive players options. Sometimes the choice will be made by the coaches’ philosophy of play but regardless it will be important to practice each option. The key principle for all two-on-two rushes is for the offensive players to isolate the attack on one of the defenders.
■ TWO-ON-TWO CRISSCROSS
The first strategy is for the puck carrier (F1) to crisscross with F2 and isolate one of the defensemen (figure 3.13). If properly executed, the crisscross creates a lateral move that develops a sense of uncertainty in the defender’s mind. The key to the crisscross is for the player with the puck to initiate the lateral movement and be closest to the defenders; the player without the puck crosses in the opposite direction behind the puck carrier. Young players often mess up this sequence and put themselves offside because the player without the puck is too anxious and goes ahead of the puck carrier. Allow the puck carrier to make a decision as to which way he will go.
Figure 3.13
■ TWO-ON-TWO MIDLANE DRIVE
The second option for the two on two is for the player off the puck (F2) to drive through the middle of the two defensemen, allowing F1 to cross in behind (figure 3.14). This must be executed just inside the blue line so that the player without the puck doesn’t go offside. Driving between the two defensemen creates a brief hesitation by the defenseman playing F1. This hesitation by the defender will allow F1 time and space to cross and shoot or make a play.
Figure 3.14
■ TWO-ON-TWO DOUBLE DRIVE
The third option is for both players to double drive. F1 may lay the puck to F2 in the space behind the defender. F2 must move to that space on the inside shoulder of the defending defenseman (D2) (figure 3.15). With the double drive, F1 might choose to shoot off the drive as F2 goes to the net for a rebound.
Figure 3.15