Breakout Under Pressure , 2-1-2
Clearing
Legend
- player
- defender
- coach / parent
- movement path
How it works
Execute a coordinated 2-1-2 breakout to clear the defensive zone against a structured two-player forecheck.
What you need
- hockey stick
- puck
- cones
- ice
Your focus
The 2-1-2 breakout is the foundational zone-clearing system used at virtually every competitive level. Players who understand their role within the system can clear the zone efficiently even under sustained pressure. Training the specific timing, spacing, and option reads develops both individual and collective clearing ability.
Set up positions: D1 and D2 at the corners, C at the hash marks, W1 and W2 at the boards.
Coach shoots puck in; D1 retrieves and calls out clear option (rim, pass to C, or direct to W).
Team executes chosen breakout option; 2 forecheckers pursue and try to prevent the clear.
If clear succeeds (puck crosses blue line under control), team attacks 3-on-2 in the neutral zone.
Goal
You've got it when your breakout exits the zone cleanly through all three position changes and doesn't get picked off by the forecheck.
Helpful cues
- D, read the forecheck before touching the puck
- Center, be a reliable option at the middle hash
- Wingers, don't drift inside; stay wide and give the D an angle
Adjust the challenge
Make it easier
Strip it back
Run without forecheckers to establish positioning and timing before adding pressure
UpLVL it
Add the next challenge
Add a third forechecker to simulate an aggressive forecheck trapNo account needed
Build a practice plan
Add drills, keep the plan in this browser, then share a link with your staff or parents.This library helps you find the right drill. Inside UpLVL the right drill finds the player.
This library helps you find the right drill. Inside UpLVL the right drill finds the player.After every practice, UpLVL automatically surfaces the drills each player needs to work on most. See it for yourself.