Backwards to Advance (the 2nd wave)
If you want to move forward, sometimes you need to go backward!
This week's video is all about going backwards in order to move forward with the offensive attack. The correct play to be made is not always staring you in the face. It is often behind you or in the space where the puck just came from. All of the example clips in today's video came from goals that were scored in the NHL last night as a result of the puck carrier finding the layer of support behind them in order to advance the attack to the net. Coaches often refer to this late support of the rush as the 2nd Wave. While all of these particular examples come off the rush, this "Backwards to Advance" concept also rings true in many other situations all over the rink, such as the breakout and offensive zone play.
The puck carrier: Coaches often teach players to "Pre-check" or "Shoulder-check" (look before you get the puck) during puck retrieval situations, which is a critical habit. However, the "Post-check" or "Shoulder-check" after acquiring puck possession is also a critical habit to assist decision making that is often forgotten. Players should be looking prior to AND after puck possession to consistently make quality plays with the puck
The 2nd wave: Players that are behind that initial wave of the rush or "LATE" and trailing the play need to actively work to join the rush and provide support to the puck carrier. There may be a tendency for young players to watch the play move up the ice when they are behind it. However, those late players should be working to get up ice as quickly as possible and fill the open space behind the rush in order to provide support to the puck carrier and, ultimately, be a part of the offensive attack.
If you want to move forward, sometimes you need to go backward!
