Loafing (ice hockey)

Loafing, Floating, or cherry picking in ice hockey is when a player, the floater (usually a forward), literally loafs — spends time in idleness [cite news
url = http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/loaf
title = loaf | publisher = Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary
date = 2006] — or casually skates behind the opposing team's unsuspecting defencemen while they are in their attacking zone.

The tactic is used sparingly as although it sometimes creates a breakaway opportunity for the defending team should they manage to take control of the puck and successfully pass it to the floater, it also creates a five-on-four situation (during even strength play) for the attacking team. Also, a good defenceman usually keeps an eye open for the development of these potential situations where he would immediately backcheck once a floater is spotted.

Affectionately known to fans as "the pylon." This system of play is known to be run by two teams in North American hockey--Culver Military Academy's varsity team, and Middlebury College, where it is known as "the system."

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