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
Defensemen joining the offense through the neutral zone can create scoring opportunities when transitioning from defense to offense.
Here are a few strategies that defensemen can use when joining the neutral zone offense:
Supporting the rush: Defensemen can also join the neutral zone offense by supporting the rush and moving up ice to act as an outlet for a pass or to provide an extra option for the team in possession of the puck. This can create a 2-on-1 or 3-on-2 situation and increase the team's chances of scoring.
Jumping into the play: Defensemen can join the neutral zone offense by "jumping" into the play and joining the rush as a fourth attacker. This can create an odd-man rush and increase the team's chances of scoring.
Overlapping: Defensemen can also join the neutral zone offense by overlapping the rush, this mean that one defender will move up ice while the other stays back to cover the defensive zone. This can create a numbers advantage and increase the team's chances of scoring.
Lead the rush: Defensemen can join the neutral zone offense by leading the rush and carrying the puck up ice themselves. This can create a scoring opportunity or a chance to set up a play for a teammate.
When a defenseman is supporting the rush through the neutral zone, they can play an important role in creating scoring opportunities and transitioning from defense to offense.
A defenseman can join the primary attack by moving up ice and becoming a fourth attacker. This can create an odd-man rush and increase the team's chances of scoring. They also can also join the rush as a part of the second wave by moving up ice to support the primary attack and provide an outlet for a pass or an extra option for the team in possession of the puck. A defenseman should have a good timing ability to jump into holes of open ice. This means that they should be aware of the space available on the ice and move into it quickly to receive a pass and advance the play.
By supporting the rush through the neutral zone and by playing a role in the primary attack, a defenseman can increase the team's chances of scoring and transition from defense to offense effectively. Additionally, they should be aware of the opposing team's positioning, and anticipate their movements to create scoring opportunities. Good timing and ability to read the game is crucial for a defenseman to be able to support the rush in a efficient way.
It's important to note that joining the neutral zone offense is not always appropriate or possible in all situations, and it can be risky if not executed properly as it can lead to odd-man rushes or leave the defensive zone exposed. A good defensemen should be able to read the game situation and make the decision to join the neutral zone offense accordingly, while also being aware of the risk involved.
Here are a few principles that good defensemen should keep in mind when regrouping the neutral zone on offense:
Feet and eyes up the ice: Always keep feet and eyes up the ice. This means to be aware of everything happening on the ice, the position of teammates and the opposing team, and be ready to transition from offense to defense or defense to offense quickly.
Under handle the puck: Don't over handle the puck. Control the puck with the stick close to the ice and use quick and precise stickhandling to maintain possession of the puck and avoid turnovers.
Quick thinking and adding pace: Be quick mentally and try to add pace to the attack. This means to make quick decisions, communicate effectively with teammates, and move the puck up ice quickly to create scoring opportunities.
Deception: Use deception in long transition. This means use fakes, misdirection, and other techniques to deceive the opposing team and create space and time for teammates.
By following these principles, good defensemen can effectively join the neutral zone offense while also maintaining a strong defensive position and preventing the opposing team from counterattacking.
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.
Credits:
Mario DuHamel
Jack Han