{"id":29272,"date":"2025-06-03T18:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-06-03T18:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ahadvising.com\/?p=29272"},"modified":"2025-06-02T16:10:27","modified_gmt":"2025-06-02T16:10:27","slug":"5-essential-skills-that-make-great-two-way-forwards-stand-out","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ahadvising.com\/fr\/5-essential-skills-that-make-great-two-way-forwards-stand-out\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Essential Skills That Make Great Two-Way Forwards Stand Out \ud83d\ude24"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>This week, we\u2019re breaking down the 5 must-have skills every elite two-way forward needs\u2014from dominating puck battles to reading plays at both ends of the ice.<\/strong> If you want to control the game, shut down top lines, and contribute offensively with purpose, these skills aren\u2019t just helpful\u2014they\u2019re non-negotiable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Let\u2019s get into it \ud83d\udc47<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. Hockey IQ<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Reading the play before it happens allows the player to be a step ahead in both offensive and defensive zones.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Recognizing when to support offensively vs. defensively<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Reading opponents\u2019 tendencies helps in intercepting passes, angling players off, and shutting down plays early.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Strong grasp of forechecking, back checking, and zone coverage schemes.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Can recognize line matchups and alter style accordingly\u2014more aggressive or conservative as needed.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. Skating Ability<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Having quick acceleration is essential for transitioning quickly between offence and defence.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Edge control allows for tight turns and quick direction changes when tracking the puck or forechecking.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Backwards skating is needed for defending off the rush or filling in on the blue line during defensive transitions.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>High work rate requires high endurance to maintain pace through all three zones.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Smooth skating allows for fewer wasted movements and more consistent performance late in shifts.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. Defensive Duties<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Tracks opposing players consistently, applying pressure and taking away options.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Active stick to disrupt passing lanes and force turnovers.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Maintains positioning in the defensive zone\u2014supporting defensemen, tying up sticks, collapsing when needed.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Willingness to put the body on the line in key situations.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Helps wingers and centers control puck possession in both ends.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4. Puck Support<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Makes effective outlet passes to initiate the breakout.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Wins battles along the boards and secures pucks to relieve pressure.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Keeps tight gaps between line mates and defenders when backtracking or moving up ice.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Knows when to stretch the ice or delay for safe puck movement.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Smart through the middle\u2014intercepts, supports puck carriers, and creates rush opportunities.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">5. Offensive Output<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Provides timely goals or assists\u2014doesn\u2019t need to lead scoring but adds depth.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Creates chaos in front and capitalizes on rebounds.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Doesn\u2019t force low-percentage plays, values possession.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Forces turnovers high in the zone and maintains offensive zone time.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Keeps puck moving and supports line mates with positioning and awareness.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Check out our latest Youtube video: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=UyZPTtBMj-c\">https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=l4D_ZrGet2I<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Need help finding an&nbsp;<strong>NCAA, Jr. A, or Prep<\/strong>&nbsp;team, and you want expert guidance now? Click the link below to <strong>speak with an advisor for free today<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/ahadvising.com\/fr\/contact\/\">Contactez nous<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>This week we&#8217;re breaking down the 5 must-have skills for elite two-way forwards\u2014own both ends, win battles, and impact every shift.<\/p>","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":29273,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[330,135,146,141,331],"tags":[342,188,341],"class_list":["post-29272","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-advice","category-advising","category-hockey","category-junior-hockey","category-skills","tag-forwards","tag-skills","tag-two-way-forward"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ahadvising.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29272","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ahadvising.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ahadvising.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ahadvising.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ahadvising.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=29272"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/ahadvising.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29272\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ahadvising.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/29273"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ahadvising.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=29272"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ahadvising.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=29272"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ahadvising.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=29272"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}