Different Styles of Fore Check

In hockey, effective forechecking puts pressure on opponents while they possess the puck. Forechecking helps to pin opponents within their defensive zone and force turnovers. The best forechecking style depends on team members' individual strengths and a coach's comfort with risking odd-man rushes to gain more scoring chances.

  1. Aggressive

    • A 2-1-2 forecheck style relies on wingers to pressure the opposing puck handlers in their defensive zone. The forechecking center remains in the slot between the face-off circles, positioned to take a quick shot. The forechecking defensemen remain near the blue line.

    Passive

    • The 1-2-2 defensive forecheck is designed to force neutral zone turnovers. One defender pressures the attackers while his teammates form a box in the neutral zone. When an attacker skates along the boards, the two closest defenders converge on him. The entire box collapses on any attacker trying to skate through center ice.

    Pinching

    • This 2-1-2 variant offers more opportunities for turnovers and shots on goal at the risk of giving up odd-man rushes, in which opposing attackers outnumber your defenders. Two players converge on the puck handler, forcing him to the boards while the remaining three form a wall inside the blue line. Defensemen skate deeper into the zone and take more shots than normal.