This block teaches players to attack with intent by driving forward, supporting the puck carrier, and turning defenders by playing the puck past them and applying pressure from behind.
The key skill in this block is flicking.
Players should aim to develop control, consistency, and decision-making when using the flick. This skill is required to move the puck past defenders and create attacking pressure.
Expectation: Players should focus on improving and applying flicking throughout all drills in this block.
- Forward Drive Recognition
- Flick Technique (No Pressure)
- Flick and Chase (1v1)
- Flick Decision Under Pressure
- 2v1 Flick and Support
- Continuous Flick Pressure
- Short Game Play
Full drill descriptions available in the
Attacking Fundamentals Drill Library
.
¶ Exit Standard
By the end of this block players should demonstrate the following during short game play:
- Drives forward immediately after gaining possession
- Recognizes when the defender blocks forward movement
- Flicks the puck past the defender into space
- Follows the flick immediately
- Applies pressure from behind after the flick
- Supports the puck carrier at close distance
- Maintains pressure so defenders cannot reset or escape easily
- Stage 1 – Control: Flick technique without pressure
- Stage 2 – Movement: Flick while moving forward
- Stage 3 – Pressure: Flick when blocked by defender
- Stage 4 – Game: Apply flick and chase in live play
The puck carrier attacks forward immediately to reduce defender time and create pressure.
- Move forward as soon as possession is gained
- Do not drift sideways
- Attack space, not the defender
- Maintain momentum through the play
Turning the defense means playing the puck past the defender and forcing them to turn their body to recover.
- Flick the puck into space past the defender
- Follow the flick immediately
- Apply pressure from behind
- Force the defender to turn and recover
- Continue pressure so they cannot reset
When the puck is played past them, the defender must turn their body to defend. This removes their forward vision and puts them under pressure.
The support player stays close enough to the puck carrier to continue the attack and react to the flick.
- Stay within passing or recovery distance
- Follow the flick and support the chase
- Be ready to receive or recover the puck
- Do not leave the puck carrier isolated
Attackers must keep defenders under pressure after the flick so they cannot escape or reset.
- Chase immediately after the flick
- Apply pressure from behind
- Remove easy exit options
- Force defensive mistakes
- Drive forward
- Flick and go
- Turn them
- No escape
- Support close
- Stay connected
- Puck carrier drives forward immediately
- Attacker flicks past the defender when blocked
- Attacker chases immediately after flick
- Defender is forced to turn and recover
- Support player stays close and available
- Attack maintains pressure without slowing down
- Attacker slows down after gaining possession
Cue: Drive forward.
- Attacker tries to go through defender
Cue: Past, not through.
- Flick without chasing
Cue: Flick and go.
- Slow reaction after flick
Cue: Go now.
- Support too far away
Cue: Support closer.
- Encourage immediate forward attacking
- Stop play when players hesitate or drift sideways
- Reinforce flick decision when forward path is blocked
- Ensure players chase immediately after flick
- Reset play when pressure is not maintained