Backchecking Practice (Full Ice)

The 2 V 0 Continuous Backcheck drill from TJ Manastersky, the Head Coach of Brock University, practices quick attack rushes that are under pressure from backcheckers.

Setup

• The whistle starts the drill with a 2 v 0.
• The players catch a pass from coach and attack 2 v 0. Players stop at net.
• Whistle starts next 2 v 0 and coach pass to next group.
• The first 2 v 0 now backchecks the next group that is going down 2 v 0.
• The drill is continuous.

Coaching Points

• Offense: attack quickly & stop at net
• Backcheckers: relentless recovery with stick on ice

Beaver Track from Steve Wiedler is set up to let players practice tracking / backchecking principles and ends with a regroup into a 2 v 0 rush.

Setup

• Forwards and defenders are lined up in opposite ends as pictured in the diagram.
• Pucks start on the outside with F1. F1 moves up ice at about 75% speed.
• F2 tracks F1 and angles them off to steal the puck from them. Once F2 gets the puck, they pass it to the defenseman that has jumped out into center ice as a regroup outlet.
• F2 regroups with the defenseman by getting the center lane and F2 heads up the ice on a 2 on 0 with F1 from the opposite line.

Coaching Points

• Tack hard - F2 needs to take a proper angle and go stick on puck and eliminate the forwards hands, which will create separation from the puck.
• Communicate - all players need to communicate with their teammates to let them know where they are.
• Sticks on the ice - keep sticks on the ice to let your teammate know where to pass the puck to. 

Red Wing 2 V 1 With Backchecker from TJ Manastersky, the Head Coach of Brock University, is a drill that practices 2 v 1 rushes with pressure from a backchecker.

Setup

• 2 offensive players line up on the hashmarks. The defender is at the top of the circle, and the backchecker is at the bottom of the circle.
• On the whistle, both sides start a 2 v 1 with a backchecker.
• Stay on your side of the ice until center ice red line.
• Drill is continuous. 

Coaching Points

• Defense: D and backchecking forward need to communicate.
• Forwards: Get up ice quickly and look at opportunity to shoot quick after a pass.

Jason Lammers explains The Andy Murray drill. This drill is a continuous 2 on 1 identity drill that is full ice and practices transition, rush attack and tracking.

Setup

• Full ice setup with both goalies in net.
• Line up players along the boards in the neutral zone. 
• On the whistle, a 2 v 1 begins.
• After the 2 v 1 players pass the neutral zone, two new defensive forwards jump into the zone and provide support to the defensemen who is trying to break the puck out to them.
• A new defenseman steps out and once the breakout starts, it is 2 v 1 the other way down.
• The original forward backcheck the 2 v 1 until the blue line, red line, or far blue line (depending on what the coach wants).
• The drill is continuous.

Coaching Points

• Backcheckers should track back through the middle of the ice with their sticks on the ice.
• Offensive players on the 2 v 1 should support each other.
• Defenseman playing the 2 v 1 should keep their stick on the ice to block passing lanes and keep a good gap.

Variations

• Can be modified to be 2 v 1, or 3 v 2.
• Coaches can have baccheckers track to near blue line, center ice, or far blue line.

The Renegade Line Rush from TJ Manastersky, the Head Coach of Brock University, practices an in tight 3 v 2, and transitions to a 5 v 5 line rush.

Setup

• On the 1st whistle, coach passes to the 3 v 2 down low group, which starts a quick attack against turned around net.
• On 2nd whistle, coach passes to any forward outside of the 3 v 2 down low group, and it starts 3 v 2 out of the corner toward the far end.
• The forwards and defense involved in the 3 v 2 down low group join to make it a 5 v 5 line rush.
• The 5 v 5 plays out until coach blows the whistle.

Coaching Points

• Defense: Communication and sort out coverage.
• Offense: Puck moves forward at blue line, puck enters inside the dots, net drive.

Set-Up:

• The game is played on a 200 foot by 42.5 ft playing space. The ice is cut in half length wise.
• Move both nets in line with the dots while keeping them on the goal line.
• Pucks are placed at both ends in the slot (outside the playing area).
• .The defending team (red) players line up on the blue line.
  • One group is along with boards and the other line is on the imaginary mid-line.
• The attacking team (Black) players are lined up in the same formation on the opposite blue line.

Game:

• It is a 2v2 continuous scoring game
• The rotation is Offense — to Defense — Rest
• The game begins with a 2v2 in one zone (White on Offense & Red on Defense in the video)
• The Offensive team tries to score a goal & will receive another puck from the Coach IF:
  • A goal is scored
  • OR a shot hits the net and goes out of the boundary
• The Defensive team attempts to steal the puck and pass it up to their line of teammates waiting on the near Blue Line.
• The Defensive Team receives a puck from Coach IF:
  • The Offensive Team misses the net with a shot & it goes out of play
  • OR if the offensive team gets their puck knocked outside the field of play
• Once the Defensive Team (Red) passes the puck up to their teammates:
  • The Defensive Players are done
  • The (former) Offensive Players (Black) now must backcheck into their own end & play Defense
  • The New Offensive Players who just received the puck (new Red) skate to the opposite end where 1 player has a breakaway attempt (NO 2 vs.0 opportunities)
• Now it becomes a 2v2 at the opposite end with Red on Offense & Black on Defense

The Game is Player for a Set number of minutes or to a certain score. (if the game becomes slow/sloppy, take a halftime & then come back when they are fresh).

Principles:

For the Defensive Team:

• How to handle a 2v2 (while tired)
  • Communicating between partner
  • Keeping body between the Offensive Player & your Goalie
  • Stick position, angling and reacting to loose pucks
• Making a big defensive play (to end the shift, advance the puck, live to fight another day)

For the Offensive Team:

• Chance to score on a Breakaway initially (score with back pressure)
• Teach to isolate a (tired) defender & create a 2v1
• Shots on net (scoring chances) earn you more offense (another puck from Coach)
• Holding on the puck (puck protection) tires out an already tired defense
• Finishing offensive plays in small areas