Hockey Skate Lineup Comparison: Bauer vs CCM Fits and Tiers for Beer League
How Bauer and CCM skate lines map by fit and price tier, how to decode model numbers, and which tier a beer league player actually needs. Updated…
Defensemen: Playing the 2v1 Rush
Being in a 2v1 situation can be a nightmare as a defender, especially in important games. This article addresses how to play the 2v1 correctly and how it impacts the play.
I’d love something specifically aimed at beer league teams. We’ve got a lot of individually skilled players on our team, but we struggle to make it all come together as a team.
Why this exists
Five players, no practice, one group chat.
Beer league doesn’t come with a coach. These pieces are short enough to forward before warmups and specific enough to try the same night: where to stand, how to break out, and what to do when the rush is two-on-one.
What this site is forStart with a shelf
All topicsHockey 101
Fundamentals a team can agree on before warmups: body position, zone shape, breakouts, and entries.
10 piecesIndividual TacticsWhat you do on your own shift. Gap control, angling, stick on puck, and body on body.
7 piecesTeam PlayBreakouts, entries, power plays, and the plays that need all five.
5 piecesPositioningWho stands where in the zone, for centers, wingers, and defensemen.
5 piecesThe shelf
Hockey 101: Basic Power Play Formations
Beer league Hockey 101 on the power play: keep possession, wait for quality chances, move the puck, then run a Box+1 (2-1-2) or an Overload and…
Hockey 101: Offensive Zone Structure for Beer League Hockey (Attack Triangle)
Beer league Hockey 101 on offensive zone structure: ditch fixed sides for F1/F2/F3, hold the Attack Triangle, stay in the scoring area, find soft…
Alternative Defensive Zone Faceoff Formation
A better defensive zone faceoff setup for beer league: line players up with coverage and shooting lanes, win more loose pucks, and spring breakaways.
Hockey 101: Basic Breakout Strategy for Beer League Hockey
How to run a basic defensive zone breakout in beer league hockey: where defensemen find space, why forwards swing low, first pass options, and…
Hockey 101: Defensive Zone Positioning for Centers
Beer league tips for centers in the defensive zone: third D cover, net-front support, d-side habits, side switches, and scrambling to the slot.
Hockey 101: Defensive Zone Positioning for Wingers
Beer league tips for wingers in the defensive zone: cover the points, strong side vs weak side roles in a sagging zone, and staying ready for the…
Survey Data: Beer League Players
Results from the 2016 Beer League Tips survey of 95 /r/HockeyPlayers readers: country, age, skill, positions, and demand for systems tips.
Take the Beer League Tips survey
Historical 2016 Beer League Tips reader survey that shaped the site. See the results summary, not a live form.
Hockey 101: Defensive Body Position in Beer League
Beer league tips for defensive body position: stay net-side (D-side), play stick on stick and body on body, and when to tie up at the net front.
Defensive Puck Movement: Clear the Danger Zone in Beer League
Beer league tips for defensemen on puck movement: clear the danger zone first, use boards and glass outs, find the quiet zone behind the net, and…
Hockey 101: Defensive Zone Positioning for Defensemen
Beer league tips for defensemen defensive zone positioning: corner and net-front rules, when not to chase across the mid-line, and how to scramble…
Quick Introduction
Free systems and positioning tips for beer league hockey. Short reads you can forward to your team before game night, from Coach Eric and Coach Brian.