Neutral Zone Play

Here, we'll break down some key concepts for the Neutral Zone.

Neutral Zone Regroup: When a team, usually on the attack, moves back to the neutral zone to regroup and plan before entering the opponent's zone.

Defenseman Offensive Principles in the Neutral Zone: Exploring how defensemen can join the offense effectively as they transition from defense to offense.

Gap Control: The technique used by defensemen to maintain a proper distance from the opposing forward they are defending.

Rush Protection: A strategy to prevent the opposing team from entering their zone with speed and control, aiming to slow down their attack and limit scoring opportunities. Stick around to gain insights into these hockey strategies and enhance your understanding of the game.

Neutral Zone Regroup

Regrouping when your team has the puck refers to a strategy where a team, usually the attacking team, moves back to the neutral zone in order to reorganize their offense before entering the opposing team's zone. This can be done with or without the puck, but usually when the team has the puck and is looking to create a scoring opportunity.

The idea behind regrouping when your team has the puck is to slow down the pace of the game, to give the team time to make adjustments, and to create space for the team to make a play. By regrouping in the neutral zone, the attacking team can set up their offense, get their players in position, and make it harder for the opposing team to defend against them.

When regrouping with the puck in the neutral zone, the attacking team can use different strategies depending on the situation, such as:

Using the extra space to move the puck around and wait for an opening in the opposing team's defense.
Creating numerical advantages by outmaneuvering the opposing team's defense.
Creating a 2-on-1 or 3-on-2 situation by moving the puck up the ice quickly.

It's important to note that regrouping with the puck in the neutral zone is not always possible or appropriate in all situations. It's a strategy that should be used selectively and it can be risky if not executed properly, as it can lead to turnovers or wasting of time. A good coach and good players should be able to recognize the situation and make the decision to regroup or not.

It's important to mention that players should do everything quickly and efficiently. This means that they should make quick decisions and execute them quickly to prevent the opposing team from taking advantage of the situation.

Here are a few points to consider:

Finding good spots and routes: Players should be aware of the best spots and routes to take when regrouping. This means moving to open ice and taking routes that will allow them to maintain possession of the puck and avoid the opposing team's pressure.
Generating speed: Players should try to generate speed when regrouping. This means moving quickly up and down ice and carrying the puck with speed to create scoring opportunities or to enter the opposing team's zone with control of the puck.
Forwards moving in the same direction as defensemen: When regrouping, forwards should move in the same direction as the defensemen. This means that the forwards should move down the ice to support the defensemen and to then up the ice again and looking for chances to create a 2-on-1 or 3-on-2 situation.
Communication is key: Communication is key when regrouping, as it allows the players to coordinate their movements and to execute their plan effectively. Players should be aware of their teammates' movements and positions, and they should communicate their intentions to their teammates.
Good spacing: Good spacing allows the team to move the puck up ice more easily, and it also makes it more difficult for the opposing team to defend. Players should be aware of the spacing between themselves and their teammates and adjust accordingly.

By executing these points, the team can regroup effectively, create scoring opportunities and maintain possession of the puck. It's important to note that this strategy should be used selectively and it can be risky if not executed properly, as it can lead to odd-man rushes or leave the defensive zone exposed.

Defenseman Offensive Principles in the Neutral Zone

Gap Control

Gap Control is the technique used by a defenseman to maintain a proper distance, or "gap", between themselves and the opposing forward they are defending. This technique is used to slow down the opposing team's rush and to make it harder for the opposing team to enter the defensive zone with speed and control of the puck.

The idea behind gap control is for the defenseman to maintain a tight gap, usually 2-3 stick lengths, between themselves and the opposing forward they are defending. This allows the defenseman to keep the opposing forward in front of them and to make it harder for the opposing forward to make a play on the puck or to get behind the defenseman.

When using gap control, the defenseman will often use an "angle" approach, where they will try to steer the opposing forward to the outside of the rink, while keeping the opposing forward in front of them. By using this approach, the defenseman can make it harder for the opposing forward to make a play on the puck and limit their scoring opportunities.

It's important to note that gap control is a technique that requires good skating, positioning, and body control. A good defenseman should be able to maintain a good gap and to steer the opposing forward to the outside while keeping them in front of them. Additionally, gap control is not only the responsibility of the defenseman but also the responsibility of the forwards and the team's defensive system.

Rush protection

Rush protection prevents the opposing team from entering their zone with speed and control of the puck. The idea behind rush protection is to slow down the opposing team's rush and to make it harder for the opposing team to generate scoring opportunities.

There are a few different strategies that teams can use to protect against the rush. Some common examples include:

Regrouping in the neutral zone: By all players moving back to the neutral zone as a team and regrouping, the defending team can slow down the opposing team's rush and make it harder for them to enter the defensive zone with speed and control of the puck.
Gap Control: By maintaining a proper distance, or "gap," between the defenders and the opposing forwards, the defending team can slow down the opposing team's rush and make it harder for them to enter the defensive zone with speed and control of the puck.
Backchecking: By having the forwards backcheck and put pressure on the opposing team's defensemen, the defending team can slow down the opposing team's rush and make it harder for them to enter the defensive zone with speed and control of the puck.
Forechecking: By having the forwards forechecking and put pressure on the opposing team's defensemen, the defending team can force turnover and create scoring opportunities.
Smart positioning: By positioning themselves in the right place on the ice, the defending team can limit the space available to the opposing team and make it harder for them to enter the defensive zone with speed and control of the puck.
Good communication: By communicating effectively, the defending team can be aware of the opposing team's movement and anticipate their plays, making it harder for them to enter the defensive zone with speed and control of the puck.

Rush protection is an important aspect of the defensive play and it requires good team work, good positioning, and good communication to be effective. A good team should be able to anticipate the opposing team's plays and make adjustments accordingly to limit their scoring opportunities.