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Good face-off video from Sports Skool
This 9 minute video reviews 3 offensive zone suggestions, 2 defensive zone suggestions, and 3 offensive zone "plays." Three offensive strategies: 1) straight drawback: - reverse bottom hand and go inside opponent and pull back. alternatively, push opponent's stick away and pull back 2) open ice push: - see open ice (e.g., towards the net) and push the puck forward on the forehand to yourself. 3) reverse drawback or reverse block and draw: - executed on your forehand side where you block opponent's stick first (drive to the inside), and then sweep the puck back to your defenseman Two defensive strategies (plus one I would add): 1) Straight drawback: - just a speed to draw the puck back to your D in the zone. 2) Straight block: - after blocking opponent's stick, you either kick it back to your D or the winger comes in to pick up the loose puck 3) I would add a forehand face-off option to go to the wing on the boards. OFFENSIVE FACEOFF PLAYS: 1) European swing: The center pulls the puck back to the D on the boards. The winger on the board is the shooter. He races across the ice and faces the defenseman for a one-timer or tip. 2) Reverse winger shot: Board winger is on off-wing and drives with the puck through the face-off circle towards the net and shoots. 3) Mock dump-in: Center wins draw to blue-line D closest to the boards and D dumps puck around behind the net. The winger driving to the net goes past the goalie and picks up the loose puck. The winger along the boards slides into the slot.
IMPORTANT Checking video
This 9 minute video covers the fundamentals of giving and receiving a check. It is important to listen to a couple of NHL veterans discuss the respect and safety issues associated with checking.
How the pros make something from nothing
Blackhawks v. Detroit game. This shows how harmless opportunities when pushed to the edge can yield good results... The play starts with a player creating a seemingly harmless turnover in the offensive zone and the play gets disrupted. A second player takes control of the loose puck at the blue line. The first player who created the turnover meanwhile went to the net ready for a one timer. The goalie, Ed Belfour—totally robs the guy of a perfectly executed goal -- “totally Robbing the opponenent,…PRICELESS!”
Defense keeps forward to the outside
This is a simple and quick (1 minute) description of the defenseman's responsibility to keep the forward to the outside. Your job is to not let the forward either: 1) cut back to the inside for a prime scoring opportunity, or 2) beat you to the outside. Here Keith Action (former North Star) shows you how to use your stick to keep the forward at bay. Also notice how you line up your outside shoulder to the forwards inside shoulder.
Angling (especially for forecheckers)
Another video with Keith Action. This video discusses angling as a way to steer the person with the puck where you want them to go. It is important to keep adjusting your angle as the play develops as you can see as the man with the puck comes around the net and you are in open ice. It is much easier to angle when you are near to the boards and ultimately leads to a pinch or body-check.
A dozen good things happen in less than 60 seconds...
Here is a youtube video of one shift that has a little bit of everything (at least for the Cyclones). The forward dumping the puck in the zone is also the first one to get to the puck. He passes it back to the D for a shot but the puck ends up blocked and the other team breaks it out. Then, you see a quick neutral zone regroup pass from the D to the opposite wing, #5 and #14 criss-cross, and #5 gets a shot off. The far wing crashes the net and #13 D comes in for a follow-up shot. He is back on the blue line seconds later when he gets the puck back from the forward. A one-touch D-to-D pass, a shot from the far side D, and ultimately a rebound from behind the net becomes a goal!
Shooting as an act of deception
A lot of goals are scored on the effectiveness of the deke and not the shot itself. It doesn't take a great shot to score on an open net!
Snap Shot instruction
This is a good step-by-step video demonstration of snap shots from various points of view.
Slap shot video
Another Canadian hockey video describing aspects of the slap shot, including one-timers.
Defensive Zone Coverage video
This video clearly shows the basic defensive zone coverage. It is a good example of players' need to communicate so everyone knows who has the puck carrier. The center is supporting the defense. The wings are covering the slot and the point while the defense cover down low and in front. The point is to keep the opposing team out of the area in front of the net (sometimes called "the house").
Video of aggressive defenseman
Some nice footage of a defenseman who is pushing the play in the offensive zone. You can see some great d to d passes. Watch how active #13 is in this video montage. You can see him make a nice pass to the weak-side wing, ring a shot off the post, and score a backhand goal before gettting checked into the goalie.
