Reversing the puck in hockey is a maneuver designed to control the puck in the offensive zone. When a team tries to control the puck in the attack zone, it may begin a two- or three-man maneuver called the cycle. This allows the team to control the puck with stickhandling and passing as it maintains control near the boards. However, at some point during the cycle, the team may try to send the puck toward a defenseman near the top of the zone. This is called a reverse and it can lead to a scoring opportunity.
Step 1
Dig the puck out of the corner and drive the puck up the boards until you are midway between the endline and the blue line. This point on the ice is called the half-wall. When you get to this point, fire the puck back into the corner. This maneuver gets the cycle started for a teammate.
Step 2
Retrieve the pass made by your teammate and as you gain control, look for an open teammate in the middle of the offensive zone. This is the slot and is the prime scoring territory on the ice. If nobody is open, bring the puck back to the half-wall.
Step 3
Look for an open shooter near the blue line. If the point man closest to you is open, quickly reverse the cycle and pass the puck to him so he can fire a shot from the point. If he is not open, recycle the puck to the corner.
Step 4
Fight for the puck in the corner. After winning two or three battles for the puck, it is unlikely your team will win another. Instead of cycling the puck again, reverse the puck to the top of the offensive zone and and let one of your point men create an offensive opportunity by shooting or passing to a teammate down low. Reversing the puck to the top of the zone will momentarily confuse the defense and lead to an open man to shoot the puck.
References
- Young Guns Hockey: Cycle Plays
- "The Hockey Playbook"; Michael A. Smith; 1996
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