Breakout - Up the Middle

Some examples and discussion about breaking out up the middle of the ice, some coaches are hesitant to implement this concept due to the risks involved. Through deliberate drills most coaches can implement this into their team game and help their players add an important tool into the toolbox!

[@ricks.9984]

Great stuff. Everyone needs to be on the same page. D man needs to understand what the center is doing when he’s coming back and positioning himself for the center swing. As a center, often times inexperienced D men are wondering what the heck I’m doing when I’m setting up. They just need to be patient and give their wingers and center man a second to position themselves so the D has two solid options. That’s why I also like the D to hold onto the puck until they get to the spot you pointed out unless the winger is already good and ready to take that breakout pass as the D comes out from behind the net. Then I yell out to the winger “let’s go” so he knows I’m an option up the middle or “boards, boards” if he’s under pressure.

[@ianbartos7693]

Your videos are great! I can't get this info on the internet or elsewhere. I am new to hockey and I don't get opportunities for coaching or training as an adult player. Looking forward to more of your videos to help my game this winter.

[@eliteicehockeyanalysisnorc1824]

Ian Bolton thanks for the feedback, much appreciated

[@mrsheftalia1743]

Excellent vids ,great hockey mind.

[@TerrenceKeenan]

You could "force" deception, with a forechecker as progression. I'm glad you are teaching this, some kids may have to unlearn the "not up the middle". I still hear it a thousand times a game in 8U, 10U :(

[@1q3er5]

yup i love passing up the middle because a lot of people have been brainwashed not to. you can pass anywhere if u have confidence in your passing abililty. wingers/centers - just move to WHERE EVER you are open taking into account your opponents wingspan and be in visible passing lanes for your dman

[@jerrysmith9780]

Many teams are starting to use a high F3 shooter that also supports pinching D. As a result D are pinching aggressively and taking away that easy board side pass. We definitely need to start getting our players comfortable with exiting through the middle. A far cry from the days when we were told don't cross in front of the net.

[@eliteicehockeyanalysisnorc1824]

Jerry Smith I remember those days...no fly zone! Haha

[@kashmoney1227]

Beauty, great vid

[@bill_mosienko]

Love this. Do you have any vids / Drills on using the D Partner as a bumper to break out if the C is in the corner engaged in a low D zone battle?

[@emdee69]

Really interesting thank you

[@Zakk-zx8yh]

Great stuff Norcan Norcan!!! Can you guys put at videos in regards to positioning for young players in each position and zone? i.e. C - Defensive/Neutral/Offensive Zones (plus transitioning to each side) LD/RD - D-/N-/O- zones LW/RW- D-/N-/O- zones Thank you in advance!

[@glancegha1733]

These are really, really great!! Can I ask what software/program you use to draw the lines, etc and edit the video?

[@nicklamia1456]

This is great but in my opinion at youth levels plays where you have time to make a set breakout is extremely rare. Have we practiced it..yes. But how often can they use it ..less than 5%. So we focus more on breakouts when get the puck in the d zone. And I was demanding my center who is helping the d down low to be an outlet for the wall winger. I adjusted and now our weak side winger is the wall wingers outlet streaking between d as a direct or chip off the boards. Massive improvement …center snd or weak side d can be x3 & or x4 on the attack. I am not saying always or never but for now this is our go to…. Love your stuff ..just thought I would share because there may be others who were pretty frustrated with my center. U11 coach Thx again!

[@VenalainenFamily]

Great video! Could you explain the “ fake pass” in this drill?Thanks.

[@eliteicehockeyanalysisnorc1824]

Yes for sure, the fake pass comment might better be described as “show pass to the winger”. If the D comes around the net and has their stick/hands/puck in position to pass to the winger the opponents will read that and likely start cheating to take away that pass. The first option for the D is usually a quick pass to the winger, if it’s not there because the winger is covered is usually when they would use the MIDLANE option. So have your D looking and showing a pass to the winger (which would be the “fake”) and if it’s not available then adjust and find the Center swing pass.

[@VenalainenFamily]

@@eliteicehockeyanalysisnorc1824 Thank you for quick response!

[@TheMightyKicks]

me watch cause i play “world of chel” and trying to get off goalie 💀 (love goalie just dont know how to be a position player)