Breakout Patterns

These are just a few breakout patterns used to move the puck up ice. Remember these points when executing a breakout:

• When in doubt, GET THE PUCK OUT.
• Boards are your friends, use them and stay close to them.
• Center swinging needs to think "Safety first!" and time your swing (control skate). If breakout pass is intercepted low, be ready to defend! Don't get caught swinging out of the slot.
• Weak side winger, watch how play develops sometimes you need to cover for the center "Safety first".
• Wingers need to get below hash marks, look at fore checker before the puck comes your way. Don't be afraid to skate to the puck, if pressure is heavy.

D to D breakout.

Purpose: Move the puck quickly up ice.

Execution: Center (F1) reads the play and which way it's going, He swings through the middle of the ice as winger (F3) skates down, transitions (not turning back to play) D1 passes to F3, F3 passes to F1 to complete the breakout. Weak side winger (F2) should be skating hard up ice, F1 should take a look and make a crisp hard pass to him. Watch for pinching defensemen who could intercept the pass.