Хоккей. Оборона: форчекинг : система 2–1

2-1-2 Forecheck

This type of forechecking system was made famous by the Edmonton Oilers of the 1980s, who used their high-powered attack to pressure teams hard and recover the puck. This system forces the opponent’s defense to handle pressure while also taking away all options up the boards. This is also a physical forecheck because F1 and F2 are in deep and looking to finish hits while the defense are set to come down the boards when the puck is moved to the opposition wingers. The 2-1-2 forecheck forces teams to use the middle of the ice to escape the zone. The strength of the system is in the pressure it applies while at the same time giving the opponent only certain areas to break out of the zone. The weakness of the 2-1-2 system is that at times you have a defenseman pinching and a forward back on defense accepting the rush when the opponent breaks out. Most forwards are weaker at defending the rush than any of the six defensemen. Figure 6.7 shows the details of the system.

F1 pressures O1 to put the puck up the boards or across to his partner. F1 generally will have an opportunity to finish his hit on O1. Once the puck is moved and F1 has finished the hit, he recovers on the same side of the ice. F2 moves down on the weak side, anticipating a pass to O2. If the puck is moved up to O4, then F2 starts to recover on the same side.

F3 maintains a high position between the two defensemen. When D1 or D2 pinches down on a pass, then F3 moves out to the blue line on that side and backs up the D. If the opposition starts to break out, then F3 will have to back up like a defenseman. F3 is available in a solid defensive position, but once the puck is turned over, he is ready to receive a pass in the prime scoring area. At times F3 will move in offensively. As a result, when the puck is turned over, F2 or F1 may rotate into this position.

Both defensemen must read the play and anticipate when the puck may move up the boards. Once they see a pass is being made, they should pinch down (move toward the winger quickly, not letting him get by) on the winger. Finish hits on the winger but remain in control. When the puck moves away, get back to the blue line. Sometimes coaches talk about a pre-pinch position where the defensemen are one-third of the way down the boards when the puck is on that side. This makes the distance to pinch on the winger much shorter.

Listed below are the various breakout options and the specifics of how to react when forechecking in a 2-1-2 formation

F1 pressures O1 to move the puck up the boards (figure 6.8). F2 moves down half way on the wide side ready to close on O2. F3 stays in the middle of the ice. D1 moves down quickly on the pass to 03. F3 fills in for D1.

Over

F1 pressures O1, and on the pass, F2 closes quickly on O2 (figure 6.9). If O2 passes the puck up the boards to the winger then D2 moves in and finishes the hit on 04 while F3 fills in on the blue line. If O2 tries to pass to the middle of the ice then F3 takes away O5.

Wheel

F1 forces O1 as he wheels the net while F2 moves down to prevent O1 from rounding the net and makes him pass to the boards (figure 6.10). D2 closes down on the board pass while F3 fills in on the blue line.

Reverse

F1 forces O1 as he wheels the net (figure 6.11). F2 is ready to stop O1 from wheeling and then once he sees the reverse to O2 moves in quickly to that side. F3 takes away the middle ice pass and is also ready to fill in for D1 if he pinches on a pass to the boards.

Rim

F1 pressures O1. If the puck is rimmed to the wide side, then D2 moves down to pinch on the winger (figure 6.12). F3 covers up for D2 by moving up to the corner of the blue line. If the puck is rimmed up the strong side, then D1 pinches with F3 once again filling in.