Breakout – Wall and Reverse

How to run it

Five players break the puck out of their own zone against a forechecker. First the standard way: D-to-D, up the wall and into the middle to the swinging centre. Then a reverse behind the net when the forechecker takes the first defenceman's side.

Set-up

Own zone and neutral zone. Two defencemen, two wingers and a centre in their own zone, one forechecker. Goalie in net. The coach dumps the puck behind the net, the second time into the opposite corner.

Instructions

1. 1Five players in their own zone: two defencemen, two wingers and a centre. One forechecker. The puck is dumped behind the net.
2. 2D1 goes for the puck, D2 to the other post, the wingers to the walls and the centre low.
3. 3D1 takes the puck round behind the net and reads the forechecker.
4. 4D-to-D pass away from the forechecker.
5. 5Up the wall to the winger.
6. 6The winger plays it into the middle to the swinging centre.
7. 7The centre skates out over the blue line with speed, everyone follows up ice.
8. 8Back to the start positions. The next puck is in the other corner.
9. 9D2 goes for the puck; the forechecker comes on his side.
10. 10D2 takes the puck behind the net …
11. 11… and reverses it to D1 on the other side.
12. 12D1 moves it up the wall to the left winger.
13. 13The winger plays it to the centre swinging through the middle.
14. 14The centre carries the puck out over the blue line.

Coaching points

• The retrieving defenceman: shoulder check before reaching the puck – where is the forechecker?
• Talk: the partner calls "time", "over", "reverse" or "up".
• Wingers: stop at the wall with the stick on the ice and the body open to the puck.
• Centre: swing low and come with speed – take the puck moving up ice.

Variations