Mastering the breakout is essential for team success. A well-executed breakout allows our team to transition from defense to offense smoothly, minimizing the time we spend in our zone and maximizing our scoring opportunities. Here are the key fundamentals of a successful breakout:
4 Pillars for Success
Quick to PucksMake a PlayFind the Open IceConnect with the forwards
Treat the puck like GOLD
The foundation of any breakout is gaining and maintaining puck possession. Don’t ever just throw the puck away. Remember we want to make hockey plays, not hope plays. Players without the puck have to want the puck.
Keep It Simple
Face the puck! Want the puck! Pass the puck quickly (one touch passes are great)!
Minimize fakes and misdirection. They are great when you first get the puck to buy you time and space, but after a few seconds they only confuse your teammates.
Close Triangle Support
Everyone should be working to position themselves to receive a short breakout pass. Anyone can complete a 10-foot pass. Make it easy for the puck carrier.
D1, D2 and F1 and should form a triangle to create passing options. D1 is retriever. D2 gives close support. F1 forms a triangle to provide options.
Communicate… Talk! Talk! Talk!
Good communication between players makes everything easier. Everyone should be talking and listening (goalies, defence and forwards). Say it LOUD! Say it 3 times!
One of the best ways to communicate is with your skates. When you are skating your teammates can easily see where you are going.
Skating is critical to breakouts
Skate hard to get back into our zone on dump ins (see Win the Backchecking Race). Skate to retrieve the puck as quickly as possible. Skate hard to provide support and become a passing option. Use evasive skating to create space to make plays.
Scan the Ice
Know your options BEFORE you get the puck. Scan the ice and be sure to shoulder check (multiple times if possible).
Win Your Wall
Players along the boards are critical. Get to the wall quickly. Face the puck. Be ready to make a one-touch pass. You may want to pre-bump a pinching D to free your hands.
Cut Off Forecheckers
On dump-ins, gently interfere with the forecheckers before the tops of the circles. We want to slow them down to give our defense more time to start the breakout.
How would these fundamentals be applied on a dump-in? How might they change following a won in-zone face-off? Or when we cause a turnover in the defensive zone?