Defensive Zone

Defense is a critical part of hockey, and no team can win consistently without a solid defensive effort. In the defensive zone, the primary objective is to prevent the opposing team from scoring. This is done by applying several key principles that are essential for success.

Quick and Physical Play

The defensive team should always aim to play quick and physical in the defensive zone. This means taking an aggressive stance towards the opposing team and ensuring that they don't have time to make plays. The first seven seconds in the defensive zone are the most important, as this is the time when most goals are scored. Therefore, the defensive team must focus on being quick and physical during this period to prevent the opposing team from getting any good scoring chances.

Boxing Out

Boxing out is a crucial defensive principle that helps prevent the opposing team from getting to the net. This involves positioning oneself between the opposing player and the net, creating a physical barrier that the opposing player cannot pass. By boxing out, the defensive players can control the space around the net and prevent the opposing player from getting good scoring chances.

Creating Separation

Creating separation is another important principle in the defensive zone. This means using leverage to create space between the opposing player and the puck. The player with the lowest center of gravity usually wins the battle for the puck, so it's essential to use leverage to gain an advantage. By creating separation, the defensive players can gain control of the puck and clear it out of the defensive zone.

Breakout Strategy

When it comes to breaking out of the defensive zone, there are several key principles to keep in mind. First, the defensive players must work together as a unit to move the puck up the ice. This means communicating effectively and making quick decisions to move the puck to the forwards.

In a slow breakout, the puck should move east-west under the goal line, with the wingers posting up and the centerman supporting if necessary. In a fast breakout, the puck carrier should cross the goal line and jump north, with the forwards jumping up as well.

The defensemen play a critical role in the breakout strategy. D1 should retrieve the puck and keep their head on a swivel to make quick decisions. D2 should sprint their post and communicate with their partner's eyes, creating an outlet pass to start the breakout.

The strong-side winger should provide a quick outlet pass and keep their head on a swivel to assess their options, while the weak-side winger should position themselves level to the strong-side winger and be prepared to receive a pass. The centerman should be low and slow in the middle, creating a 2-on-1 situation behind the puck.

In conclusion, the defensive zone is a critical part of the game, and the key principles outlined above are essential for success. By playing quick and physical, staying low and square, boxing out, and creating separation, the defensive team can effectively shut down the opposing team's offensive attack. The breakout strategy is also critical, and the defensive players must work together as a unit to move the puck up the ice quickly and efficiently. By mastering these principles, a team can build a solid foundation for success in the defensive zone.  See more details below.

Strategies and Tactics:

In order to be successful in the defensive zone, hockey teams need to execute a variety of strategies and techniques. Let's take a closer look at some of the key areas of defensive zone coverage:

1. 10 Second Rule - A team must gain possession of the puck in their own end, they have just 10 seconds to move it up the ice and out of harm's way.  After 10 seconds the odds of the puck going in your net go up dramatically. 

2. Good DICE (Walls) Protect the HOUSE - Defending the house, or the area directly in front of the net, is key to preventing opposing teams from scoring. Good DICE, or Defense In the Corner and Entryways, is another important concept. This means that the 5 players must be positioned like the 5 points on a dice to prevent opposing players from gaining access to the house by defending the corners and entryways to the zone.

3. Sprint the D and good box out on point shots - Wingers are expected to be quick, mobile, and aggressive and must be able to quickly sprint back to their box position and establish good positioning to prevent scoring opportunities. All defenders must prevent them from getting to rebounds or deflections in front of the net.

4. Box out early/Deny Net Front access - To be effective defenders, defensemen must be able to deny opposing forwards access to the front of the net. Forwards must protect the top and middle of the house.  This means establishing good position early, and using their body to prevent opposing players from getting into prime scoring areas.

5. Be on the D side of the puck - In order to successfully defend against the other team's offensive attack, players must be positioned on the defensive side of the puck. This means being between the opposing player and their own net, and being ready to take away any potential scoring opportunities.

6. Force to the outside - Successful defensive zone coverage is forcing the opposing team to the outside of the rink. By limiting the space available to opposing players, defenders can make it more difficult for them to generate high-quality scoring chances.

7. Take away shooting lanes - Take away the shooting lanes. By being aware of where the opposing players are positioned, defenders can block shots or disrupt the opposing player's view of the net, preventing them from generating high-quality scoring chances.

Defensive Zone Coverage Principles

When it comes to effective defense, there are a number of key principles that defensemen players must master. Here are some of the most important defensive techniques and strategies:

1. Quick and physical - Successful defense requires quick reactions and physical play. Players must be ready to react quickly to any offensive threats and use their physicality to prevent the other team from gaining an advantage.

   • First seven seconds key - In the first few seconds of a defensive zone faceoff or breakout, players must be especially alert and focused. The ability to anticipate and react quickly can make all the difference in preventing the other team from scoring.

2. Stay low - Good defensive positioning requires players to stay low and keep their center of gravity close to the ice. This helps them maintain balance and react quickly to any offensive threats.

   • Come off player - When defending against an opposing player, it's important to stay close and maintain good positioning. But it's also important to be able to "come off" the player and react to any changes in the play.

   • Swing ass towards the net - One effective defensive technique is to swing your hips towards the net to maintain good positioning and prevent the other team from gaining an advantage.

   • Dictate what will happen - Good defensive players don't just react to the other team's offensive moves - they take control and dictate the play.

3. Stay D side - Good defensive positioning requires players to stay on the defensive side of the puck, preventing the other team from gaining access to high-quality scoring areas.

4. Stay square (no crossovers) - Maintaining good defensive positioning requires players to stay square to the opposing player, without crossing over their feet.

   • Stick on puck detail - When defending against the other team's offensive players, it's important to keep your stick on the puck and maintain good stick positioning.

   • Takes away time and space - Effective defense is all about taking away the other team's time and space, making it difficult for them to generate scoring chances.

5. 6-inch Crosscheck on hips to get opponent off-balance - When defending against the other team's offensive players, a well-timed crosscheck to the hips can help to disrupt their balance and prevent them from gaining an advantage.

6. Look to create separation - To be successful on defense, players must be able to create separation from the other team's offensive players and maintain good defensive positioning.

   • Leverage low man usually wins battle - When battling for the puck in the defensive zone, leverage is key. The player with the lower center of gravity is usually better able to maintain their balance and win the battle for the puck.

7. Box out early at the net and control stick - Finally, good defensive play requires players to box out opposing players early and maintain control of their stick, preventing the other team from gaining access to high-quality scoring areas.

By mastering these key principles of defense, players can become more effective defenders and help their team win games.

Coverage Roles

Effective defensive zone coverage requires a team effort and a clear understanding of individual roles and responsibilities. Here are some of the key principles that can help a team play strong defense:

1. When the puck is down low the 5/3 mentality: Outnumber the opposing forwards - When the opposing team is in the offensive zone down low, the defensive team should use a 5/3 mentality. This means having all five players collapse low in the defensive zone to outnumber the opposing team's three forwards. By doing this, the defensive team can limit the space and time the opposing team's forwards have to make plays, increase the chances of gaining possession of the puck, and clear the zone.

2. Hunter: First line of defense - The hunter's primary objective is to separate the puck from the opposing player and prevent them from gaining an advantage. They need to be quick, aggressive, and physical, and must work to force turnovers or disrupt plays before they develop.

3. Support man: Second line of defense - The support man provides a second line of defense and should be in a position to take the puck when the hunter separated the man from the puck and he can assist if the hunter gets tied up. Their role is to prevent the opposing team from gaining possession of the puck and to support the hunter in battles along the boards.

4. Net man: Third line of defense - The net man is the last line of defense, responsible for covering the house (the area directly in front of the net) and directing the defense. They create a third wall between the puck and the net. They need to be vocal and communicative, directing traffic and alerting teammates to potential threats.

5. Slot man: Winger at the intersection - The slot man is responsible for protecting the house and providing support for the defense. Their primary role is to stay in a position to intercept passes and prevent the opposing team from getting high-quality scoring chances.

6. Point man: Strong side winger - The point man is responsible for covering the strong side of the ice and supporting the defense. They need to be ready to prevent opposing players from entering the house, and also ready to support in battles along the boards.

7. When the puck is at the blue line 

   • Aggressively hunt the puck carrier and prevent them and take away their time and space.

   • Good triangle and box out - A good defensive team maintains a tight triangle down low in the defensive zone and is ready to box out the house. This can prevent them from gaining access to high-quality scoring areas, and can also help gain possession of the puck.