skip navigation
Coaches

Video Coach | OZ Entry - Crossing Attack & the Second Wave

By Ontario Minor Hockey Association, 09/23/16, 2:30PM EDT

Share

Breaking down game action video to identify skills, tactics and strategy

By Ian Taylor - Director, Hockey Development

Welcome to first edition of OMHA Video Coach! In this segment we will review a video clip from game action and then break down the sequence into frames identifying key skills, individual and team tactics, strategy and hockey IQ. Video is a great teaching tool that can be used by both players and coaches.

Our first video, from the 2016 Stanley Cup playoffs, features an offensive zone entry with speed, changing the point of attack and a second wave of support with speed.

Now, let’s take a closer look and break it down…

  • PIT87 enters the offensive zone (OZ) with speed
  • NYR8 gives up blueline easily and provides a wide gap
  • PIT87 takes available ice and cuts to the middle inside the blueline
  • NYR have good numbers, defending middle of ice
  • NYR36 is a forward who provides mid-ice support for NYR8 from his backcheck
  • PIT58 identifies that PIT87 is cutting to the middle and changes lanes, cutting behind PIT87
  • NYR have 3 players back defending the rush so numbers are good, however; NYR8 & NYR36 continue to back in
  • NYR18,a defenseman over back checks into zone and he an NYR36 fail to communicate
  • NYR8, now tries to step up but the gap is too big and he ends up in no-man’s land
  • PIT28 joins rush attacking wide through dot-line
  • PIT is changing – PIT58 & PIT28 are both D supporting the rush; this means PIT87 isn’t isolated and maintains possession as opposed to simply dumping the puck in
  • PIT43 joins play as the 4th man filling open space in middle of ice with speed into prime scoring space
  • At this point there are three different 2v1 options available – PIT87 with:
    1) PIT58 – wide right;
    2) PIT43 – middle lane;
    3) PIT28 – wide left
  • PIT43 takes advantage of his speed entering zone and the fact that he is attacking a forward (NYR36) playing defense and playing deep, and scores
  • From another angle, you can see once again that NYR has three players behind the puck but this is an illusion
  • PIT58 switch with PIT87 keeps focus on the three NYR on these two players
  • PIT87’s speed has created a large gap allowing him to attack open space in middle of ice and creates a wide open passing lane
  • NYR8 does not keep an active stick in the lane in front of PIT87 making the gap even bigger
  • NYR36 & 18 have backed in so deep they aren’t even in the frame here
  • PIT43 enters with speed and id often the case, the late man is the most dangerous player on the ice

Watch the video again to see how despite numbers back in defence, PIT’s speed allows them to create time and space through changing lanes, the defence supporting the rush and a second wave of attack, pushing NYR back, surrendering prime scoring space. This sequence also reinforces the need for width and depth in the attack.

You May Also Like

Podcast
Coaches
Qualifiers
Podcast
Coaches
Drill of the Week
Coaches
Drill of the Week
Coaches
Tournaments
Coaches
Drill of the Week
Coaches