The Breakout to 2 Forecheckers from Phillip Barski focuses on executing clean breakouts against forecheck pressure, building team communication, puck support, and quick transition through continuous 5-on-2 scenarios.
Setup
- 2 defensemen and 3 forwards form the breakout group.
- Two forecheckers begin on the ice: one with a puck, one without.
- Remaining players wait on the wall or bench.
Execution
- The forechecker with the puck dumps it into the zone.
- Both forecheckers apply pressure while the 5-player breakout unit works to retrieve and move the puck.
- Breakout players must support one another, create spacing, and move through the neutral zone.
- The play flows into a 3-on-2 rush, with the defensemen joining as trailers to make it a 5-on-2.
- Players look for offensive opportunities—net drives, slot presence, and weak-side support.
Progression
- Once the play ends (goal, freeze, or whistle), 3 new forwards and 2 new defensemen step in.
- A coach spots a puck near the blue line, triggering two forecheckers (that were previously forwards in the 5 on 2) to retrieve it and dump it into the opposite end.
- The third forward and the all of the defensemen from the 5 on 2, get off of the ice.
- The new 5-player breakout unit now executes a breakout against the two fresh forecheckers.
- The drill continues in a flowing, continuous format with rotating units.
Coaching Points
- This drill builds breakout habits under pressure, promotes smart spacing and puck support, and encourages defensemen to activate in transition.
- Teams that are breaking out should communicate with each other and work hard to support each other and be available for passes.
- The forechecking teams should work hard to angle and keep their sticks on the ice to block passing lanes.
Supplemental Materials
- The second video shown is from Phillip's presentation on A Defenceman's Blueprint To Breaking Pucks Out at the Brock University High Performance Hockey Seminar.
