One area of the game I believe strongly in is the 10 square feet to each side of the blue line. You can win games on each side of the blue and you can certainly lose them too. One common message for my teams is to win the blue lines, and that usually starts in the defensive zone, and it's usually the responsibility of the wingers. Make the next play - and that play always loks different. We don't want players to chip the puck of the glass and out(TM), but we kind of do, right? If we can pass or skate the puck out with possession that's ideal of course, but ultimately we want to improve the condition of the puck and move towards the offensive zone.
Here's a drill to help your players, starting with the wingers before getting the team involved.
Description
- Puck is chipped against wall to trigger breakout board battle
- Attacking players can break the puck out however they want
- After breakout, forwards regroup with forwards at far end and then enter zone 3on2 against original D
- Wingers cross so they're entering zone on their proper sides
- After regroup pass, drill starts again from other end
Progression
- Winger false info and skate exit
- Pass to slash support winger
- Pass back to D and quick D to D
- Chip for slashing winger
Key Points
- Escape skills for the wingers should be repeated over and over - win the blue lines!
- D and weak-side D and F need to be pass ready at all times
