Face-Offs and Wing Play

Why 10 seconds can mean so much……

I. IntroductionsII. Instant OffenseIII. Stop The BreakIV. Personnel & StrategyV. In-Game Adjustments (Rock / Paper /

Scissors)VI. Conclusion / Questions

Agenda

Fast Break Opportunities Standard “L” Break

◦ Advantages Familiar to everyone Easy to teach and execute

◦ Disadvantages FOGO must pop the ball to the correct side Defenses are familiar with defending it Limited space to work the break

Instant Offense

Flat Break◦ Advantages

Can be executed in a single pass Defenses are less familiar with defending it Multiple options Gives FOGO room to execute – can be run from

wherever he pops the ball◦ Disadvantages

Less room for attack to work – superior stickwork required

Not every situation the same – more communication needed

Instant Offense

Flat Break off the draw

Even Strength – Still OK to push if…◦ FOGO is a strong dodger/shooter◦ Solid off-ball movement◦ Defense is packed in

Instant Offense

Take Advantage of Illegal Procedure Rule◦ Don’t sub when awarded the ball after a false

start◦ Resulting 6 on 5 a great chance to score

Instant Offense

Goal off of Procedure Call

Advantages from Subbing at the X◦ Room to work (“I”)◦ Trapping FOGO and O-Mids on defense

Instant Offense

Take Advantage of Subbing at the X

Points of Emphasis- Identify situation with a call “Scramble”.- “Scramble” situations are any point in a game when the offense is attacking with more players than we have defending.- Fast break, EMO vs. MDD, 2 on 1, etc.- Not what you are willing to defend, it’s what you are willing to give up.-Defense must get into the crease area “hole” and play out from here.

Stop the Break

Set up in a triangle position with poles. Identify point defender.

Keep sticks up and inside. Point man keep stick up field in pass back lane “Buckeye”.

Objective for point defender is to force an inopportune shot or deflect “Buckeye” pass.

Force ball carrier down the alley. Point man slides towards back shoulder off

ball carrier to play angle properly

Stop the L Break

Poles rotate to fill position, much like regular 6 v 6 team defense.

Point defender must recover with stick in closest passing lane.

Stop the L Break cont.

Stop the Break

Stop the Break

Points of Emphasis Defensive pole set up inside their man. Defenseman closest to the ball will slide to

the ball carrier when necessary. Nearest man will fill the voided space and

collapse on the pass.

Stop the Flat Break

Challenge shooters with a high arc. COMMUNICATION !!!!!

-Determine L Break or Flat Break-Determines point man’s position. “Push out, drop in, move left” etc.-Determine when defense is to rotate.

Goalie Responsibilities

“Keep it Dirty” – Failure to Advance Rule◦ Ultimate pride in picking up ground balls after a

face-off loss◦ “Dog” the FOGO

Where, when, and why Wings Before a Touch He’s not the best ball-handler

Stop the Break

Defense must rotate to fill, very similar to sliding just like in a regular 6 v 6 team defense.

Objective is to make offense due everything correct in order to score.

Keep sticks up and in potential passing lanes.

Force offense into doing things before they are ready to do them.

OVERVIEW

Personnel◦ Who’s the best for the situation?

Which FOGO? How many poles/shorts? O-Middies or D-Middies

◦ Each position’s responsibilities◦ Player development opportunities

Personnel & Strategy

Strategy◦ Possession – Owning the Tempo

Personnel & Strategy

Owning the Tempo - Possession

Breaks – Jump Starting the Offense◦ When do we want to do this?◦ What tells us we can?◦ What are the risks? rewards?

Personnel & Strategy

Jump Starting the Offense

Make It 50/50 – Minimize Effective Opposing FOGO◦ Put the ball out in space and involve your wing

players◦ Creating 50/50 chances allows your athletes to

compete for the ball.

Personnel & Strategy

50/50 Ground Balls

Lock the Wings◦ Press out on everyone when he carries the ball

into the defensive zone Put the onus on the face-off specialist to beat you More often than not, you wind up in a 6 on 6

situation – more comfortable than being down.

Personnel & Strategy

Collapse on the FOGO – He doesn’t handle the ball well

Personnel & Strategy

Jam His Best Move◦ our guy has to counter their guy and generally

make a mess of things

Personnel & Strategy

Double Pole the Wings◦ Elephant Package – when to use it

Having two poles on the wings causes problems with starting a break or gaining possession.

Personnel & Strategy

The Opening Draw – Setting the Tone◦ Scoring in the first ten seconds is an emotional lift

for any team◦ Having a FOGO that can create a break off of the

draw immediately causes additional concern on the opposing bench

In-Game Adjustments

End of Period – Don’t Leave Money on the Table◦ Use your advantage at the face-off X to press the

issue at the end of the period Carrying momentum into the half or into the next

period can be a huge lift

In-Game Adjustments

Turning the Screws – Putting the game out of reach at the X◦ Winning draw after draw frustrates the opponent,

thus: More EMO chances More rushed shots – shorter time playing defense More hurried passes – breakdown in fundamentals

In-Game Adjustments

Face-Off and Wing Strategy is as important a part of game day planning and preparation as any other facet of the game◦ Offensive Advantages◦ Defensive Preparation◦ Having Well-Prepared Personnel◦ Being Able to Make Adjustments On the Fly

Conclusion

Questions