Low to High Attack - Using Our Points

Teams in our league often struggle to cover the points, especially after significant time of possession in the offensive zone. When their forwards come down too low and clog the slot we can stretch the Offensive Zone by making passes up to our defensemen. This can be a smart play because it can lead to shots from the point, tips / rebounds, and also often creates space in the slot as their forwards scramble to cover the blue line.

The textbook example above shows F1 making a pass up the boards from the corner to the point, where the Defenseman's primary options are to shoot or make a D to D pass. Note that F2 is screening the goalie / ready for rebounds. D2 should be vocal about if the D to D pass is available or not.

We also have the option to activate our defense in the offensive zone by having a D man cut down low into the slot:

This is an aggressive play so it requires quality (non contested) puck possession by F1, and D1 should make eye contact to avoid F1 from passing up the boards to an empty point. Additionally note how D2 takes a more conservative and central defensive position when he sees his partner activating down low. Only one D man should be deep in the offensive zone at a given time, and when the defenseman moves in he should either receive the pass or get back to the blue line. D1 should not linger in the slot.

Regardless of if we have a defensemen cut to the slot or stay high, the low to high play has two main risks: Bad passes from our forward will break the puck out for the other team, and blocked shots from our Defensemen will lead to breakaways.

Last thing - if you are a forward away from the play, and you see us making a low to high pass back to our point, drive the net. This Net Front Presence is ultimately what makes the shot from the point so effective!