About Peter Perram Expertise My expertise is in Women`s Ice Hockey. I have been a coach and administator at the International iihf level. I can provide answers to questions on playing hockey internationally as well as simple technical and historical questions.
Experience Women's Ice Hockey
Organizations Coach in the National Women's Hockey League
I'm an experienced player who played at a high competition level...but I always had problems with my breakout. I'm a winger and when I backcheck, I always ask myself if I should come along the board or closer to the faceoff dot? I'd like to be prepared for all type of breakouts (no pressure, low in the zone, etc.) Can't you help with that please? Thanks.
Emily
Answer Hi Emily,
Well it very much depends on the Breakout style that your team plays. However generally, you have:
Up: this is when the defenseman retrieves the puck and immediately turns up ice.
Over or Defense to Defense: this is a delay tactic and moves to puck behind the net from one D to the other D and they head up that side of the ice.
Reverse: Defense carries the puck behind the net and reverse passes the puck back the other way usually on the back hand and usually to the other D or Centre.
Wheel: the defense picks up the puck behind the net and skate with speed and carries it herself.
In all these cases the wingers must adjust to the action by the defense. It is very important to use verbal and visual communication and encourage verbal and visual communication from the defenseman.
Positionally, I would recommend that if you are on the strong side (meaning the side the puck with is moved up ice) the winger should come deep at least to the half boards (hash marks). Keep an open stance and face the puck and puck carrier, I teach our wingers that they are the outlet or safe play. If you are on the weak side you can stretch the OPP defense a bit force the defense to back off the line. Either way, the forwards ultimately must be part of the execution of getting the puck out of the defensive zone and going on offense.
Hope that helps, feel free to ask any thing further..
