2.5 - Foundational Reads - Patterns - Defense
Defensive Pattern 1 - Forecheck
A forecheck is a defensive game pattern, and is the opposite of a breakout. The opponents re-gain possession of the puck in our offensive zone or the neutral zone, and we have most of our players above the puck. COL 3
Defensive Pattern 2 - Backcheck
A backcheck is a defensive game pattern, and is the opposite of a rush. The opponents are advancing the puck toward our defensive zone and we have multiple players caught below the puck. COL 2
Defensive Pattern 3 - Coverage
We use coverage to defend the house in our defensive zone. If the opponents are able to advance the puck into our end and possess it, we want to deny them the prime scoring area inside the dots. EDM
Defensive Pattern 4 - Swarm
Since we are now categorizing loose puck and 50-50 battles as defense, we need to have a pattern for these situations as well. When the puck is up for grabs, we will use a swarm to outnumber our opponents and overload the immediate area around the puck. LAK