ARRIVE BACK DOOR.™ The Back Post becomes dangerous when the puck moves across the offensive zone, and defenders lose track of the far side. Coach Joey™ teaches Players to time the route instead of arriving too early.
COACH JOEY™ BY AGE
U5-U7 • U8-U10 • U11-U14 • U15-U18 • Junior
U5-U7 + U8-U10 — Go to the Far Post
When a teammate has the puck on one side, move toward the far side of the net where a pass or rebound may arrive.
U11-U14 — Arrive, Do Not Wait
Time your route so you reach the far post as the puck carrier can pass or shoot. Standing there too early lets the defender find you.
U15-U18 + Junior — Read the Defender and Goalie
Recognize when defenders collapse toward the puck and when the Goalie shifts across the crease. Attack the space behind that movement with your stick available.
Why the Back Post Opens
The puck draws defenders and the Goalie toward one side of the rink. As a result, the far post can become available for a pass, rebound, or redirected puck.
Timing Beats Camping
Standing beside the far post for too long makes you easy to cover. Instead, move into the space as the play develops so the defender must react while the puck is moving.
Keep Your Stick Available
Present your blade and be ready for a quick touch. For example, a pass across the crease may require only a short redirect rather than a full shot motion.
5 Smart Ways to Attack the Back Post
The Back Post can create a high-value scoring option because defenders and the Goalie often shift toward the puck. The key is arriving at the right time with a playable stick and enough separation to finish.
1. Read When the Puck Moves Across the Zone
Start the route when the puck carrier has control and a realistic chance to move the puck across the ice. Timing the route off the puck is more important than sprinting there immediately.
2. Arrive Late Enough to Stay Uncovered
Standing beside the post too early gives defenders time to find you. Arriving later can create separation and a cleaner passing lane.
3. Keep Your Stick Available
Show the passer a target and keep the blade in a position that can redirect, receive, or shoot quickly.
4. Adjust to the Defender
The best Back Post route may change if the defender recovers. Move behind coverage, change speed, or create a different angle instead of skating into the defender’s stick.
5. Finish the Play Under Control
Arrive balanced enough to make the puck useful. A rushed swing at the pass wastes the advantage the route created.
Practice Back-Post Timing
Use a puck carrier on one side and a weak-side Player timing the route to the far post. Change when the puck is released so the Player learns to read the play instead of memorizing a fixed route.
Continue with Get Open, Make a Target and Short Shifts. For more player-development resources, visit USA Hockey training materials.
Coach Joey’s Takeaway
Do not wait at the back door. Arrive when it opens. ARRIVE BACK DOOR.™
Coach Joey™ 10-Second Hockey Lesson™
ARRIVE BACK DOOR.™
ONE LESSON. ONE INSTRUCTION. ONE TAKEAWAY.™
Part of Coach Joey™ 10-Second Hockey Lessons™. Presented by The Hockey Resource™.
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