Defensive Zone Faceoff Assignments

LOST FACEOFF

ASSIGNMENTS: CENTER: MAN TO MAN WITH OPPOSITE CENTER LD: MAN TO MAN WITH RW RD: MAN TO MAN WITH INSIDE FORWARD LW: OUT TO POINT RW: OUT TO POINT OBJECTIVES: DENY MOTION IMMEDIATELY BY PLAYING TOUGH MAN TO MAN DENY SHOT ON NET DENY ANY PASSES

LW AND RW SHOULD SWITCH ASSIGNMENTS FREQUENTLY SO AS TO NOT BE PREDICTABLE

LOST FACEOFF

IF RW LINES UP HERE FOR SHOT, WE LINE UP WITH THIS ADJUSTMENT. IF WE WIN FACEOFF, INSIDE WING RECOVERS PUCK AND HEADS ARROUND NET FOR WEAKSIDE BREAKOUT, WITH INSIDE DEFENSEMAN COVERING THE WALL.

WON FACEOFF

ASSIGNMENTS: BOARD DEFENSEMAN: GAINS POSSESSION AND GAINS NET INSIDE DEFENSEMAN: IF WE HAVE UNCONTESTED POSSESSION, SLIDES TO CORNER CENTER: SUPPORTS RW RW: GETS TO HIS MARK QUICKLY FOR OUTLET PASS LW: GETS TO HIS MARK QUICKLY FOR OUTLET PASS OBJECTIVES: 1: TO ROLL OUT THE WEAK SIDE 2: WE MUST BE VERY QUICK AND DECISIVE.

Neutral Zone Faceoff Assignments

WON FACEOFF

LOST FACEOFF

ASSIGNMENTS:
RW AND LW LOCK UP
C 1. PURSUE PUCK 2. CUT OFF RETURN D TO D PASS 3. FORCE HURRIED ACTION
STRONG SIDE D STEP AND DENY SPACE
WEAK SIDE D CUT ICE IN HALF, REACT; MUST BE AWARE OF OPPOSING C

Offensive Zone Faceoff Assignments

WON FACEOFF

ASSIGNMENTS: C ESCAPE COVERAGE, THEN LOOK FOR OPPORTUNITY RW ESCAPE COVERAGE, THEN LOOK FOR OPPORTUNITY LW 1. DENY OPPOSING WING     HIS LANE TO POINT 2. SCREEN AND LOOK FOR     REBOUND D GET IT TO THE NET

LOST FACEOFF

ASSIGNMENTS: C 1. THINK DEFENSIVELY,     PICK UP OPPOSING     CENTER 2. REACT TO POSSIBLE    TURNOVER RW PURSUE PUCK LW DENY WEAK SIDE OUTLET D THINK DEFENSIVELY

Breakout

There are two types of breakouts, controlled and hurried. The controlled breakout occurs when the opponent does not penetrate and attach deep but instead, backs off and waits for us to come out of the zone.

When our breakout is controlled, we will run a set play.
When we are under attack, we will run an option breakout dependent upon making good reads and getting good support.

The controlled breakout:

Wing opposite center cuts into middle

Defenseman swings opposite the center   Center swings to his strong side

                          Strong side wing blows zone

OPTIONS:
1:  IF OPPONENTS ARE LAYING BACK, DEFENSEMAN SKATES WITH IT.
2:  DEFENSEMAN HITS EITHER PARTNER OR CENTER ON THE FLY.
3:  IF NO ROOM EXISTS, DEFENSEMAN GOES HIGH OFF STRONGSIDE GLASS.

The option breakout:

Our breakout is determined by their forecheck. If they give us time and space, we will use it and come out in an organized rush. If they are aggressive, we are more than happy to wrap it hard around them or through the, hopefully trapping them deep. In other words, the harder they come after us, the less picky we can afford to be about how we break out.

The successful breakout under pressure depends on:

1) Communication
   - Goaltender, bench and other players on ice let puck pursuer know whether he has time or not.
   - Partner lets defenseman know if the reverse is available.

2) Support
Defensemen must have numerous options; no team can cover them all without a perfect forecheck.

  - Strong side wing plays high as possible anticipating wrap.
  - Weak side wing plays high as possible anticipating wrap.
  - Center looks for open lane for pass, then supports wing.
  - D partner blocks out, then slides to corner for outlet or reverse.

3) Decisiveness
  - Make the first pass immediately to the most open man.
  - Be ready for the bumpback.
  - Passes must be crisp and accurate.
  - If there is not time or no options, wrap it hard.

4) Winning the battles on the boards

Inside the blue line, the winger must get the puck out. No excuses, period. This job is every winger's calling card.

Weak side wing stays high, but does not allow wraparound lane to be cut off. Partner blocks out, then makes himself available.   Defenseman recovers puck here.

                          Strong side wing comes low for quick out