Youth coaches often aim for their teams to play a fast-paced, high-pressure game. However, this approach can lead to defensive vulnerabilities, as one pass can outmaneuver two aggressive forecheckers. This "two on the puck" tactic might show some immediate success with younger players, particularly those U11 and younger, but for players over U13 and over, it tends to offer the opposing team opportunities to break out of their defensive zone by over-committing to the puck carrier.
In this clip, the Winnipeg Jets first forward aggressively chases the puck, approaching from an outside-in angle. Once he makes contact with the defender, he creates space between the puck carrier and the puck by "cutting his hands off." The second and third forwards then position themselves in the slot and along the half wall, anticipating the puck's movement rather than focusing solely on its current location. As soon as the first forward establishes that separation, the second forward quickly helps, just how I describe it to my U13 AA female team, "like a fat man on a smartie." Here's a drill I recommend to help your players understand their forechecking routes.
Forecheck Walk Thru
Setup;
- Two coaches below the goal line
- For the first couple of reps, have a designated F1, F2, and F3 so the forwards understand what routes they are taking. As you progress, allow the forwards to become interchangeable, so they must read who is F1, F2, or F3.
Description;
- Have a unit of 5 set up ready to go in the neutral zone.
- On the whistle dump a puck in on the coach.
- The first forward will take an inside-out angle on the coach.
- The second forward will lock the middle of the ice.
- The third forward will take the wall.
- The coach will allow the puck to be turned over, allowing the forechecking team to make a play to the net and play out the rebound. The whistle blows, that unit skates hard out of the zone, and the next forechecking unit goes.
- Once everyone on the team gets a chance to be F1, F2 & F3 you begin to attack the other coach.
- Progress the drill to have the coaches go D to D and show your team out to fill lanes as the puck is moved side to side.
