TACTICS ACADEMY

• Topic: How to successfully break out against a 2-1-2 system in floorball

• Objective: Access dangerous spaces, disrupt the opponent’s structure, and create scoring opportunities 

🔍 KEY ZONES AGAINST THE 2-1-2

Critical spaces to attack:

• Pockets / half-spaces:
  Between the winger and the defender — difficult to defend

• Behind the high winger:
  Especially effective, as this space is often left open

• Center lane:
  Becomes valuable if the opposing center can be drawn out of position

Against the W-system:

• Behind the high winger is also promising, though center support may be present

• Switching sides: If the opponent double-teams on one side, the opposite side can often be exploited quickly

✅ 1. Drive-In with Drop Pass

Execution:
A defender carries the ball forward while a trailing teammate receives a drop pass

Objective:
Pull the opponent’s winger into the middle and use the space left behind

📌 Key points:

• Keep the ball protected, stay close to the defender

• The drop pass must be precise and versatile
  The trailing player can either pass or extend the run

• Risk: Drop passes can trigger pressing actions by the opponent

• Tip: Always secure positioning and automate the trailing movement
  
  

✅ 2. High-Tempo Breakout (Pressure Trigger)

Execution:
A player drives forward at high speed into the opponent’s second or third layer

Objective:
Force a reaction to open up one of three passing lanes:

• Pass to the ball side

• Pass through the middle

• Pass to the weak side

📌 Key points:

• Proactively create running and passing angles

• Prepare a safe long pass option

• Avoid early occupation of the center, so the attacking triangle remains open
  
  

✅ 3. Breakout Through the Middle

Execution:
Play the ball through the center lane to unlock half-spaces

Variants:

• Direct pass through the center into the pockets

• Draw the opposing center and open other lanes

• Use a central player as a pivot for switching sides
  
  

 📌 Key points:

• Timing and rotation in the middle are crucial

• Ensure there are always deep passing options available

✅ 4. Lateral Pass + Overlap

Execution:
A lateral pass between defenders followed by an overlapping run behind the high winger into the pocket

Advantages:

• Creates automatic rotation and movement

• Great basic variant to train movement and structure
  
  

Variants:

• Use the boards for wall passes

• Occupy depth on the opposite side

• Continuously open new passing options through movement

💡 Tactical Concepts

• Challenge the boards:
  Always test whether the opponent truly has the board side closed.
  → Many teams leave small gaps that can be exploited.

• Simple drives or dribble-throughs:
  Don’t overcomplicate – direct actions often work without elaborate setups.

• Basic runs as a starting point:
  Begin by actively testing the defense with simple movements before shifting to complex plays.

🧠 Coaching Recommendations

Build step by step:

1. Start with basic challenges:
   – Use open board sides to challenge defenders one-on-one.

2. Introduce simple rotations:
   – E.g. winger-to-center switches, overlapping, and positional exchanges.

3. Train complex breakout variations later:
   – Once players understand space and timing.

4. Foster tactical awareness:
   – Players should identify and exploit weaknesses in the 2-1-2 structure (e.g. high winger out of position, open pocket spaces).

5. Automate movement:
   – Ensure constant support play, position-filling, and backup during rotations.

✅ Conclusion

The 2-1-2 system provides solid defensive structure,
but it becomes vulnerable to fast, aggressive, and confident breakouts.

Keys to success:

• Patience

• Relentless movement

• Courage to challenge structural weak spots

Sustainable success comes from consistent training and game-realistic implementation of offensive strategies.