In this video we are going to go
over some tips and techniques
for wings in terms of breaking the puck
out.
So, how to get yourself in better
position during the break outs, create a
little bit more time and space for yourself
to make effective place. So, that when you
get the puck
you're able to get your head up and make
plans. So,
first thing that I want to talk about is
your foot position. A lot of wings
when they come here and the defense is
coming around the net with the puck
they're looking at the defenseman.
Now when you get that puck,
think about where your eyes are, think
about your sight-line. So, your sight-line
is right here, so this is where you can
see
when you're looking at the defenseman.
Well, what happens if your eyes are right
here, while your centre is right here and your other wing is right here.
You want to be going this way with the
puck and your eyes are pointing in that
direction. So, when you get the puck,
you have to turn your body around
and you have to get your head up and find your open player. And you don't even know
where those players are.
So, what you want to be doing is that you want to get your feet
facing an angle this way with your stick
out here so now when you get that pass,
one, you can see if this defenseman
is coming on your not because you have your eyes
going in the right direction;
two, before you even get the pass you can take quick peek
and you can see where you have four
checkers, you can see where your
sentiments are,
you can see if you want to use the
board's, if you have time to get the puck
and skate quick.
So, getting your feet in
the right position and just looking here
quickly over your shoulder
to that defenseman and getting your stick
out. You don't want to have your stick straight
up because that's a hard pass for the defenseman. You want your stick
out so it's a good target for the
defenseman. Keeping your eyes up,
look at your sight line here. You are going to see all that ice and
that's going to allow you to be able to make that play quicker. So, just a small tweak
in your foot positioning is going to make a big difference. The second thing that I
want you to think about is what you do when you get the puck.
So, the first thing you should be doing
is if you don't have pressure from this
defenceman
when you get that pass, is to get your
feet and take 2-3 hard strides up ice.
Get time and get space, that's going to allow you to be able to make plays even if that
defenseman was pinching on you. You are going to get closer to the blue line
and be able to chip the puck out and you are not just going to feed it back to that defenseman. If you
have a four checker coming on you
you're going to be able to get a couple
steps on him. So get two or three quick
hard strides
and then make that pass a now you have
speed and you're going to be able to join
the play. So, if you're standing here
flat-footed and you make that pass to the
centre and everyone's going now you have to try to play catch-up
and a lot of times you are going to be out of the place. So, getting two or three hard strides,
make that pass over and you are going to be in the play.
The last thing that I want you to consider is a wrap puck. So, if that defenseman is wrapping up
that puck hard and your
playing here on the wing, a good option for you is reading with this defenseman
is going to be doing. If he's coming down
on you,
use your body there and shield
the puck from the defenseman. Don't just
let the defenseman come down and pinch on you.
Start to shield the puck even if it
hasn't come yet.
Shield the puck from the defenseman. Now, that depends if he tries to get around
you on the outside
you can just shield the puck and allow it
to come up and skate with it and you are going to
beat him.
Wrap puck again, comes in and winger.
If you're here that defenseman backs off
you wanna catch that puck,
get your back, your front heel on the
board.
You get your heel that's toward the puck
off the board a little bit so that puck is going to
come right here
through that front foot
and your foot that's facing the offensive
zone. Its going to hit the heel
and you can kick it right up to your stick
and that's going to allow you to know that puck is
going to hit the heel.
You're going to feel it, when it hits you and now you can keep
your head up and you can read the play.
You are not staring right at the puck.
You know exactly when that puck is going to hit your foot
and you know you're going to be able to
stop it. So, you are not overthinking where
that puck is coming from or worrying about stopping it or having your head down.
You can have that he'll boom right along
the boards, as soon as, it hits here you
can kick it up to your foot
and you can make the play. So those are
three great options for you in terms of
foot positioning,
shielding the puck and being able to
stop wraps easily and being
able to make the play to the center
and joining the rush.
