5 Amazing Tips and Techniques YOU Should Know

VIDEO: Great Defensive Techniques YOU should Know

The trick with putting these plays into practice is having your other team mates on the same page as you, so in this article I am going to go over 5 breakout plays, how to perform them, and the best time to use each one. These plays are started by the defensive partners, so as long as you and your defensive partners know the plays you should have no problem initiating a decent breakout. These plays are crucial for a good breakout!

Knowing these 5 breakouts should give you an option in every situation you face on the ice, no more giving the puck away over and over until the other team scores!

HOW TO START IMPLEMENTING THESE BREAKOUTS

As a coach implementing these breakouts comes down to proper practice planning, and getting all the guys on your team on the right page. You can pick up a copy of the book, photocopy pages 10,11 and 12 and hand them out to your players, and then start using them during practice. Once you have the book you can review the other 200 pages for some more great plays and strategies

As a player there is nothing more frustrating than trying to play positional hockey, only to have the other guys on your team completely out of place, or moving the puck to the wrong spot. The easiest way to start using these breakouts would be for the defensemen to start talking and discussing the 5 different breakouts while on the bench. Try using 1 or 2 each game so you can eventually commit them all to memory. Once you and your partner knows the 5 different calls you can start yelling them out when the time is right during the games. Most of the work for the breakouts is done by D1 and D2 so start by getting your defensive partner on board, and then work on the forwards, most wingers should know where to be anyways.

QUICK TIPS FOR BREAKING OUT
Take a look before you get the puck so you know where your players are

• Don’t make blind passes
• Don’t pass the puck through the middle (unless you are 1000% sure, and even then be double sure)
• Make plays quickly – hesitating gives the other team time to read your play and break it up
• Make direct passes – get your head up, look where you are passing, and send it hard
• Communicate (especially defense-men), call out the plays described above
• Play your positions! – This is especially true for the wingers, if you are down near the goal line when the defense get the puck they will have no one to pass too!
• If you have the puck and it doesn’t look like you have any options for passing, put the puck high off the glass to get it out of your zone
• Keep your feet moving and your head up (Don’t stand still) – The play is always moving and you should be too, keep your feet moving and your head up so you can read and react to the play at any time
• Give your player a target – This is a good one for wingers, when you are breaking out put the blade of your stick where the defense can see it (as shown in the picture, he doesn’t have his stick on his shooting side, or in front, he’s moved it to the right side to receive a pass). By showing them your blade you are giving them a target and letting them know you are ready for the pass.

http://howtohockey.com/five-breakout-plays-every-hockey-player-should-know