INTERMEDIATE SITUATIONS

"5-On-4 Defense - Double-Teaming"  

• There are two ways to play against a short-handed team that has possession of the ball in the offensive end:  aggressive pressure or soft pressure.  Strategy mostly depends on whether a particular league runs the shot clock when a short-handed team has possession, or not (important to clarify before the game.)

• A Half-Floor Man Press with a double-team on the ball carrier is usually the preference of most coaches upon losing the ball after their first possession on the power-play.  Most leagues also play that short-handed teams have 10 seconds to get the ball over the other teams' restraining-line, once they obtain possession.  If the ball does get over this line and into the offensive zone, the five defenders will usually then fall back into a Basic "House" Defense. 

• Once established, all at the same time the defenders can press-out, with two defenders double-teaming the ball and all other defenders locking-off their check once the middle defender yells "go."  Teams will usually use this strategy in the last 5-10 seconds of the shot clock if it's running, otherwise a double-team may be applied at any time in a variety of other situations.

• The short-handed team will usually then give the ball to their best ball handlers (play makers) to try to get a re-set during the last five seconds ("red").  This is done using an athletic manoeuvre and/or quick shot off of a swing pass, in order to try and generate a rebound or draw a penalty.