Basic forecheck
They have the puck
- Us
- Them
- On the puck
- Support
Where’s the puck?
Your position
F1 gets in fast and puts the pressure on, and F2 is right there to grab the loose puck. F3 holds the middle and both D hold the blue line.
F1
On the puck. Get in there fast and make them cough it up. You don’t have to win it, just put the pressure on.
F2
Support. Sit just outside the battle, ready to grab the puck when F1 knocks it loose.
F3
High. Sit in the middle of the ice at the top of the circles. Nothing gets through the middle, and you’re first back if they get out.
Right D (strong side)
Ready to pinch. Hold the blue line on the boards. If the puck comes up the wall, step down and keep it in.
Left D (weak side)
Middle. Slide toward the middle of the blue line. If your partner pinches, you’re the last one back.
F1 doesn’t have to win it, just make them hurry. When the puck comes loose, F2 is right there to grab it.
For coaches
This is a visual way to explain a basic forecheck to younger players. Share the link with your players and let them click through it themselves. They can pick where the puck is and their own role, and see exactly where they should be.
F1, F2 and F3 aren’t set positions. F1 is whoever gets there first, F2 is the next one in and F3 stays high in the middle. The strong side is the side of the ice the puck is on, and the weak side is the other one. The red circle is F1’s battle, and the blue one is where F2 waits for a loose puck or the next pass.
When they get it out and come the other way, it’s defensive zone coverage and the breakout.
Made by Rinkflow.