To gain important territory, sacrifices must be made.
In the elite-level game, tactical play is performed at speed by well-prepared and skilled players. Because of this, the time to make plays and to gain an advantage is limited.
On-ice real estate has become ‘the commodity’ sought. Intense action follows in these locations as teams fight for mid-ice and ‘looks’ that translate to scoring chances. These vital areas are every team’s destination as they move up ice. Regrettably, the commonality of this strategy creates predictable outcomes and has allowed easy anticipation and calculated defensive formations (zone arrangements).
Gaining territory by invading the offensive end with a favourable number of teammates, with speed and with enough room to maneuver are also desirable outcomes. They are measured and dissected using analytics and affirmed as predictors of success. Along with measurables like zone time, controlled entry frequency and puck possession, repossession metrics of these determinants have become the proxy to understanding modern-day offence.
Key on-ice locations are essential targets when competing. Getting the biscuit to available players mid slot, inside and off the dots, and gaining net-front positioning are set positions required for a successful team offence. Without these locations gained goals are reduced to infrequent chance occurrences.
To gain important territory, sacrifices must be made by teams and players.
1. Soft placement, chips, and bumps
One of the prices most often paid is the loss of puck possession. In this tactical choice, the puck is surrendered, only to gain more favourable locations and to isolate defenders — a setup for another battle, to make defenders react, turn, and retrieve. These retake strategies are designed to achieve a more reliable, more productive location, or a better point of attack.
They are also predictable.
Like all battles, the second cost; a physical cost exists. This quantifiable risk begins with the giveaway which then requires a commitment to the 1vs1. We must realize that in today’s game, the defender’s pick-up is reliably efficient and effective. Most often full control is established by the opponent followed by a quick lateral pass or a reverse to support (behind) resulting in the attacker(s) being either caught behind the puck chasing.
That is not to claim that soft placement, chips behind or bumps to space with an aggressive forecheck are never to be used. But, we coaches must be aware that other options exist.
2. Carrying the puck
For example, a viable strategy may be for individual players to retain sole possession. A carry through the neutral zone, on the perimeter of the mid-ice corridor, implies satisfactory outcomes. But, this strategy ups the ante on individual skill requirement because the puck carrier will need to not only be proficient at the carry but also the ability to read the ice to gain positive entry.
The designated puck carrier will also need to recognize and process offensive/defensive player numbers (support and pressure) and determine where space is available to extend the rush. This tactic is employed by many NHL clubs and appears to be a trend at the expense of intricate team breakouts.
3. Pass and regroup
The less-seen solution to winning valuable territory can also be gained with well-timed and frequent accurate passing.
Frequent and deceptive passing, coupled with player movement at and away from the puck maintains puck control and simultaneously gains entry with less cost. This strategy requires passes before checking pressure is felt and as part of the rush up ice. This strategy originates in the breakout and must continue through the neutral zone. Its effect is the spread of the defenders and reactive skating to cover vulnerable areas.
This pass-first and early approach involves regroup and full control movements in at least two zones, and three or more passes to change location and establish speed, length, and also depth and pace to the attack. As a confusion strategy, it is deceptive because the focal point is fluid and can change. In this method, long linear stretch passes suggest a priority of action but predicated short deliberate and ambiguous passes are used to draw, counter, and create multiple locations of threat. One must remember however, like a chip or dump, both skating and passing into player dense areas, into pressure, and traps are not promising tactical choices.
When space is restricted (front side) or is diminishing due to back-pressure, the possibility is a better use of available ice. Tactically, while it is desired to go for fast and early entry, off the rush that entry when faced with opposition does not always have to be abandoned. By retaining the puck and regrouping teams can reestablish a probing strategy and exploit gaps in the defence.
Teams should be encouraged to score off the rush but do not to be in a rush to score. Like soccer and basketball, we can probe and then kick out to reset, deceive, and establish better-controlled entry and reconstruct numerical advantage.
