Offensive Zone Faceoff

Offensive Zone Faceoffs - Inside Wing Draw & Board-Side Wing Forecheck

We have one set play play for offensive zone faceoffs, and it is flexible based on if we win the draw or not:

If we WIN the draw - Ideally the center wins the faceoff back our D. The board-side wing charges directly towards the near post, the center skates hard towards the far post / low slot area (ideally setting a pick/interfering with their players on the way), and the inside wing draws towards the hash marks at the near boards, looping high and looking for a pass from the D. The goal of the play is to create a vacuum along the boards for the inside wing, and to have significant net presence. Our defenseman look primarily to pass to the inside wing, but also have the option to shoot through traffic, or pass down low to our center, often after walking the line or making a D to D pass to buy time.

Roles:

Center - Win the puck back to D, drive to far side post, ideally setting a pick on the opponent's inside wing or D. Get your stick down for rebounds or a pass from our D. You should end up in the low slot.

Board-Side Wing - Drive the near post, screen the goalie, look for tips / rebounds.

Inside Wing - Skate away from your check, looping towards the blue line and into the vacuum of the near board, look for a pass from the D, SHOOT!

Defense - Be ready for a faceoff win from the center and to walk the line or make a D-D pass, the Defenseman without the puck must communicate with his partner about best option: to pass to the inside wing skating to the boards, shoot, or pass down low to the Center.

If we LOSE the draw - After losing a faceoff in the offensive zone we want to quickly establish our 1-2-2 Forecheck. Our board-side winger is going to be the first forechecker, which simplifies things because it means he will be charging off the faceoff regardless of if we win or lose. Our Center will fall back in line with the faceoff dot, and our inside winger will be responsible for taking the far side.

Summary - Our Offensive Zone Faceoffs rely on explosive skating from our board-side wing, the ability of our center to win the puck back to our D, and communication from our defensemen who can see the play develop. The goal is to win the draw and get a clean shot off at a screened goalie, knowing that we can quickly apply a 1-2-2 Forecheck if we lose the draw.