What Part Of Hockey Is Forechecking?
I remember years ago there being a trick question some Smart Alecs would spring on any unsuspecting hockey fan who believed he (or she) knew a lot about the game. What they’d do is pose something close to the above title, as in “Is forechecking a defensive or offensive part of hockey, or a team or individual ploy?”
With that, let’s have some fun with the following poll. Then, once we’ve received enough responses, I’ll share something to help all hockey newbies easily classify most common terms.
[cbxpoll id=”5735″]DON’T FORGET THAT WE MUST VOTE BEFORE WE’RE
ABLE TO SEE THE POLL’S CURRENT RESULTS
Don’t worry, because no one will know your vote.
My forechecks contain all 5 players having have a specific spot/job/duty 1-5 depending on a players location to the puck, as the play develops positions 1-5 change. I teach my players positions 1-5 and it starts with F1 whoever is the closest to the puck. Then F2-F5 fill in respective positions depending on the Forecheck we are using. I quit using the titles Center, wing, defense except at a faceoff. F1-5 positions constantly change players and where they are on the ice.
You’re a man after my heart, Corey. We do things pretty much the same, from what I gather.
Thanks for stopping by and commenting. Hopefully, you’ll do more of the same.
Thanks again,
Dennis C
Okay, let’s see if I have my act together and not make a complete fool out of myself. forechecking is the act of one individual that when the other teach has the puck in their defensive zone you are going to forecheck to retake the puck. If the other team crosses their blue line, this forechecking now becomes backchecking! Now…just because you have a forechecking system, doesn’t mean everyone within the system will forecheck. Hence it is an individual thing!
I don’t suspect that you’ll ever make a fool of yourself when talking hockey, Robert. With that…
I don’t want to totally ruin a follow-up article I’d like to do for this post — maybe a week or so from now. So, I might hold back a little right now. And, while I’ll likely explain things a little differently, I can’t really question much of what you’ve said (maybe with the exception of your very last statement).
Thanks a bunch for commenting here, Robert, and please get involved even more when you can.
I disagree, Robert. Forechecking systems can either have 1 or 2 forecheckers up ice attacking the puck, but it will rarely be successful no matter how many skaters you send in on the attack unless their teammates are moving into positions to support their pressure play by taking away passing lanes and/or building numbers ahead of the puck to outnumber any pass that is made – whether or not under duress.
I voted that this is a team defensive concept as you do not have the puck and are trying to disrupt any quick counter attacks, but overall consider it to be a transition principle as it has both defensive and offensive elements to it.
Good discussion!
Aaaaaaah, Seth, there’s a gem in your comments — actually more than one, but I’m going to hold on saying much until it’s time to wrap up this topic. Thanks for taking part, buddy.