Learn how small habits like speed changes and deception can turn a routine rush into a game-breaking play.

There are few plays that get coaches more fired up than rush entries — especially when they end in blue line turnovers. Repeated giveaways on the rush can give coaches more heartburn than your spiciest pregame meal.

To help you avoid those costly mistakes, let’s break down two key habits elite players use to gain the edge in 1-on-1 rush situations.

From: Topher Scott of The Hockey Think Tank (Instagram | X | Apple Podcasts | Spotify)

Why it works:

Nothing throws a defenseman off more than a sudden change of speed or direction. Crossing over to threaten the middle forces defenders to cross their feet — a big no-no in 1-on-1s. Even subtle speed changes make it harder for them to maintain proper gap control.

In the clips featuring Alex DeBrincat and Josh Manson, both players slow down to freeze their defenders before exploding wide to the outside — catching them flat-footed and creating open lanes to attack the net.

The Hockey IQ:

Changing speeds manipulates the defender’s timing. When they slow down to adjust, you accelerate — gaining space and forcing mistakes. It’s all about rhythm and unpredictability: the less pattern in your attack, the harder you are to defend.

Why it works:

Deception forces defenders to hesitate — and in a 1-on-1, even half a second is all you need. Players like DeBrincat and Manson use their eyes and body language to sell a move toward the middle before bursting wide. That look alone is enough to freeze the defender.

The Hockey IQ:

Using eye deception makes defenders think you have multiple options. Combine that with skating deception — like opening your hips as if to pass — and you multiply the uncertainty. The moment a defender second-guesses your intention, you’ve already won the play.

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