There is a significant amount of detail involved in executing a successful breakout, yet many young players are overly committed to their traditional positions and fail to recognize when they should move closer to their D for support or go for the stretch pass to quickly transition to offense. Countless times I've witnessed teams going for a line change, leaving the neutral zone wide open for a long pass, while the team breaking out adheres to a predictable strategy, with wingers falling back to the hash marks along the half wall. This only allows the forechecking team time to change players and re-attack, while the breakout team remains preoccupied with short passes in their zone. Through video analysis and proper drills, you can teach your wingers to identify the defensive pressure and understand when and where to position themselves between their goal line and the opposing team's blue line for a swift transition up the ice, enabling them to return to creating offensive opportunities as quickly as possible.

Breakout vs Forecheck Drill;

Description;

• In this drill you have two units of 5, allowing your breakout team to read three types of pressured situations. In this case the blue line is trying to break out against red line.
• On the whistle F1 from the red team will take puck over the center ice line and deposit the puck in the zone. After he dumps the puck, that forward will forecheck the blue unit hard. Creating a 1-on-5.
• Only having 1 forechecker, the blue unit should be able to break out. Once blue exits the zone, the blue unit will now pass the puck to the next red player in line. At the same time, F1 who was forecchecking, will regroup and re-enter with his F2.
• As F2 receives the puck he will skate the puck over the center line and will dump the puck starting a new attack with F1 and F2 creating a 2 on 5 against the blue unit which is breaking out for a second time.
• Allow the forecheckers to forecheck hard up until the breakout unit gets the puck up over the top of the circles and then the forecheckers can let up.
• Again only having two forecheckers, the blue unit should be able to break out successfully.
• Once the blue unit exits the zone for a second time, they will pass the puck to the next red player in line. Red F1, F2, & F3 will regroup in the neutral zone and F3 will fire the puck back into the offensive zone for the third time. At this time, all 5 of the red players will forechecker the blue unit hard, creating a 5v5 breakout vs forecheck.
• If the Blue line is successful at breaking out, they will go to the other end for a shot. If the Red line can contain the blue line in their zone, they can try to score.