How Routes Shape Puck Support
Arriving into Advantages
Puck support becomes more effective when players understand not just where support exists on the ice, but how it arrives into the play. Timing is a major part of that, support that arrives too early crowds the puck and invites pressure, while support that arrives too late leaves the puck carrier isolated.
Routes are the next layer that we are going to dig into. When we think about ‘arriving on time’, we know that last week’s focus (timing) is a crucial piece - but we can not forget the importance of the route you are choosing to take.
Timing determines when support becomes available. Routes determine how that support becomes available and what advantage it creates once the puck arrives.
Why Routes Matter
The route a player takes influences how defenders react. Direct routes often pull defenders. Curved or delayed routes slide behind coverage. Layered routes create escape valves. The quality of the route determines whether possession improves or becomes trapped.
A good way of thinking about the quality of your puck support is by asking yourself the questions below,
Availability = Can I receive the puck?
Advantage = Does my availability make the situation better?
Players who only focus on availability tend to drift into flat, crowded, or predictable support. Top performing players combine availability with advantage creation through their routes.
Now Support Routes
Now Support routes are short, direct, and designed to immediately relieve pressure.
• Immediate availability
• Routes below or inside defenders
• Keep the lane open
• Do not bring additional traffic toward the puck
• Preserve a next option for the puck carrier
Next Support Routes
Next Support routes are longer, delayed, and designed to arrive into space as defenders commit elsewhere.
• Delayed availability (patience)
• Routes above or behind pressure
• Use curves to avoid early coverage
• Enter space after defenders commit
• Arrive on time - next becomes now
How to Apply It
Routes are selected based on three things:
What the puck carrier needs
What the pressure is doing
When you can realistically become a next option
From this, you can choose routes that create advantage instead of just being open.
What does the puck carrier need?
Identify if the puck carrier is:
• Under immediate pressure
→ They need Now Support
• Holding the puck with a playable outlet
→ Next Support is developing
Match Route to Role
If you are Now Support:
Use a Direct Route
• Short distance
• Clear lane
• No delay
• Do not bring traffic toward the puck
Your job is to keep the puck alive.
If you are Next Support:
Use a Curved or Layered Route
• Delay until Now Support receives the puck or pressure commits
• Enter a layer above or behind pressure
• Arrive as the next playable option
Your job is to build the second option, not the first.
Adjust Timing with Movement
Players can use movement to buy time for routes to develop:
• Pause (hold layer) if arriving early would crowd
• Slide (small lateral move) to keep defenders guessing
• Drop (add depth) to create a second layer on entry
These small adjustments make timing and routes work together instead of competing.
Defensemen
Bennett Zmolek ND #2 identifies himself early as the next support option. Instead of rushing into the play, he delays behind Tomas Mrsic CC #17 and waits for the now support player to receive the puck. By staying out of Mrsic’s sightline, he times his route cleanly behind pressure and becomes an immediate outlet.
Forwards
David Klee ND #22 understands his role as the middle-lane drive and creates valuable time for the puck carrier. By driving his feet hard at the Omaha defenseman, he ties up the stick and prevents it from getting into a shooting or passing lane.
He finishes the route by stopping at the net and making himself an immediate now option for any rebound. Finding ice off the back post and presenting a clear target highlights how important it is to finish your route as the middle-lane drive player on a zone entry.
Forwards & Defensemen
Ellis Rickwood ND #29, Jayden Jubenvill ND #3, and Mac Swanson ND #7 demonstrate how route choices create effective now and next support.
Jubenvill adjusts his route to give Rickwood immediate now support under pressure. Once the puck moves, Rickwood transitions into next support, staying layered behind Tyler Nasca (MER #28) and arrives on time into Swanson’s passing lane. This layered timing piece is what allows the play to continue with options.
This week’s Zoom sessions will take a closer look at how Routes impact Puck Support through real game clips, with separate breakdowns for forwards and defensemen.
We’ll focus on how players enter support, how route selection differs between Now and Next support, and how the path into availability can either create advantage or trap the puck under pressure.
If you’re looking to improve your ability to stay connected to the puck, become a more usable option for teammates, and extend possession through better off-puck movement, I’d encourage you to join your position’s session.