Case 04 — Gap Compression After Initial Delay
- Case ID: CASE-04
- Phase: Defense / Rush containment
- Level: Foundation
- Tags: defense, gap, timing, containment
Situation (One Sentence)
A defender holds an overly conservative initial gap, then compresses late after attacker commitment, causing unstable constraints and option collapse.
Environment Snapshot
- Space: Excessive initial gap preserves attacker options.
- Time: Late compression shifts constraints mid-sequence.
- Information: Both players decide while constraints are moving.
- Pressure: Compression acts as pressure, but arrives after commitment.
Decision Window
- Attacker commitment window: when attacker chooses lane/route.
- Defender compression window: when defender closes to contain.
- Failure mechanism: Compression begins after attacker commitment.
Option Behavior
Preserved
- Attacker maintains multiple routes early
- Defender maintains retreat options early
Reduced
- Both sets reduce rapidly during late compression
Collapsed
- Defender loses containment options
- Attacker loses steering cues; outcomes become chaotic
Practice Levers
Space
- Define lanes earlier to prevent late “surprise compression.”
- Constrain attacker routes to study timing rather than speed.
Time
- Train compression initiation earlier (pre-commitment).
- Use controlled entry speed to align commitment and compression windows.
Information
- Add cues that reveal commitment earlier (for defender) without adding speed.
- Remove cues to expose reliance on late reactions.
Pressure
- Layer a second defender only after primary timing is stable.
- Reduce contact pressure to keep timing mechanism visible.
Diagnostic Question
Did compression begin before or after the attacker committed?
Soft Canon Awareness
This situation is part of a broader Case framework. Explore Canon to learn the full structure.
Continue
This case is part of the GlobeIce practice framework.
To learn the full structure behind recurring hockey problems, continue in GlobeIce Academy