A lifelong hockey player, and now coach, Todd Ewen sees breakouts as an essential, integral hockey skill. Priorities in building a breakout system are being in position, taking a step off the boards and successfully making the first pass. Ewen demonstrates some basic breakout strategies beginning with the Easy Out, or strong side breakout. To counteract an aggressive force check by the opponent, Ewen demonstrates the D2D breakout. This attack spreads out the opponent and uses the middle of the ice. Another featured attack is the 5-on-2 D2D. Many options and triangles are available in 5-on-2. Other breakout techniques include center and full control breakouts. Drills are a big part of developing this system of breaking out of your own zone. The 5-0, 5-1, 5-2 drill is a basic drill illustrated by Ewen's team. Breaking the puck out of your own zone must be mastered by all hockey teams ... with these elements you can establish a strong breakout system of play!

30 minutes. 2007.