Gain control and go on the attack. It'll be just that simple if you learn these seven breakout options.

This is the second part of my two articles on breakout options. Click here to read Part 1, which included six breakout options. For this final part, I have seven more detailed breakouts to offer. Hopefully you can put them to good use!

Breakout Spokane Stretch 

A couple of years ago, I was talking with someone from Spokane, and he spoke about how they loved sending one player in the neutral zone to start the period. At first, I was like, really? And after watching a lot of their games, I was like, I have to try this right now, and it works not too bad. It’s not really a breakout, but it can easily change the momentum…on both sides. By stretching one player in the neutral zone, it will open one side of the ice, because someone will follow him. By doing this, you have more room to skate with the puck, make a pass, or chip off the glass for that forward in the neutral zone. 

Breakout 5 Available 

Easy explanation for this one: if you retrieve the puck quickly and all your players are in the right spot, you have more options. Therefore, we call this one “5 Available.” It’s not a controlled breakout, but we can see how many players the opponent is pressuring with. The other thing is when you ask your defencemen to join the rush when they can, this will create more options to exit your zone. 

Breakout Wheel 

No one can explain this exit better than Reid Cashman in his presentation. But I still have to put it here so coaches can have an idea. The biggest issue with the wheel is that the defenseman stops skating behind the net and doesn’t cut right at the post. If you use the net as a shield, move your feet, and read the play, you should be a threat every single time. 

Breakout Wall Bump 

Wall bump or reverse is mostly the same. When you are under pressure and don’t have many options, D2 or C can call wall bump or net bump. D1, who retrieves the puck, will bump the puck to the wall and not in the direction of the net. This way, you can beat their F1, and your D2 or C can retrieve the puck down low. Make sure you have D1 making a move to get inside or outside to try to bait the F1 forechecker.  

Breakout Net Bump 

After the wall bump, here comes the net bump. Again, we can call it reverse. D1 retrieves the puck, and D2/C is coming from the wall through the net. D1 will bump the puck in the direction of the net, and D2/C can use the net as a shield. For the defenseman, trying to bait F1 is crucial, and being able to roll if you get hit is important. 

Breakout Quick Up 

The underrated quick-up is one of the fastest ways to exit the zone. Sometimes, turning quickly and making those 5-to-8 foot passes is the best way to beat the pressure, and also allows you to play fast. Like in the video, it’s not always a forehand-to-forehand play. Sometimes it’s off the wall or from a backhand pass. The important thing is to use a quick up and beat the pressure right away. 

Breakout Over 

Well, a picture is worth 1,000 words they say. For this one, having a defenceman on either side of the net and ready to make a play. Again, it’s not always a tape-to-tape pass or forehand to forehand. The biggest challenge we are facing at a younger age, and even at the pro level, is the amount of over (d to d) a team can do instead of moving forward after the first pass.