Hockey system · by BenchIQ
2-1-2 Forecheck
U12U14U16U18O-ZoneIntermediateAdvanced5v5Forecheck
An aggressive 2-1-2 pressure system that sends two forwards below the dots to win the puck back deep. F1 attacks the puck carrier on an angle, forcing the opponent one direction and taking away the reverse. F2 reads that angle and attacks the second option — usually the D partner or next closes to the puck. F3 fills the middle of the zone as the safety valve (staying above their Center), and both defensemen hold the blue line, pinching on any puck that dies along the boards.
Watch the animation
Step by step
Step 1 — Puck Pursuit and Full Pressure
- F1 attacks puck
- F2 locks on to outlet D on the defensive-side
Step 2 — F1 Forces Pressure toward Corner
- F2 attaches to D, ready to support F1 if loose puck
- F3 covers middle ice (above dots), above their Center
Step 3 — D2 Pinches and F1 Forces Puck up Wall
- F3 stays above their Center
- F2 stays defensive-side above their D, on puck side
- D2 is aggressive on the pinch
Step 4 — Force turnover
- F3 anticipates D2 pinch and puck retrieval
Step 5 — D2 Disrupts Breakout
Step 6 — D2 Redirects puck towards F3 for Recovery
Step 7 — F3 Transitions play to Offense
- Option to drive Seam or Move puck to D1
Step 8 — Quick shot and net-drive
Step 9 — Offensive pressure continues
Coaching points
- F1 takes an angle, not a straight line — approach on the inside shoulder so the carrier can only go one way.
- Chasing the puck straight on gives both options and the system collapses.
- F1's stick takes away the reverse: stick on the ice, on the D-to-D side. The single most-missed detail.
- F2 attaches to their opponent 2nd D, staying on Defensive-Side, eliminating the D-to-D option.
- F2 anticipates F1 pressure (ready to jump in and retrieve a loose puck)
- F3 stays in the middle and stays high, above their Center: first line of defense on a failed forecheck, first option on a turnover.
- F3 does not go below the dots.
- Strong-side D (D2) pinches hard on board-side winger.
- No hesitation, must be full-out attack to disrupt the breakout.
- Not focused on retrieving the puck, just stopping the winger outlet.
- Objective is to direct the puck to the high F3 or back down low.
Run this drill with your team
Copy it into your own library, animate it, print the drill card and drop it into a practice plan — or draw your own from scratch.
7 days of Pro, free · no card needed
