|
The Defensive zone face off presents
interesting strategic challenges. Their are many setups and theories
but the arrangement and strategy described below works well for beginning and
intermediate teams. There are three diagrams below which show positioning
and how to cover the attacking team. They are not animated as it is necessary
to show all the skaters.
The attacking team is brown and sets up in the traditional offensive position
(Figure 1.) The defending team, in green, sets up as shown below.
The Green Left Defense covers the brown wing, the center covers the brown center
and the green Right Defense covers the brown Wing. The green Left Wing,
Left Defense and Right wing form a close triangle. They must allow the
goalie to have a clean view of the draw. This close formation prevents the
brown team from crashing the nets.
Figure 2 shows the coverage points for the Right and Left Wings if the brown
team wins the draw. This coverage also has the advantage that the green
Right Wing will be moving quickly toward the point. On the way, the wing
can move quickly behind the brown center and stop a shot if either brown wing
has moved behind the brown Center.
If the green team wins the draw it is the responsibility of the green Right
Defense or the Right Wing to retrieve the puck on the boards and start the break
out. This is illustrated in Figure 3.
You can watch these plays on your
computer or you can learn about them on the ice. Attend Lifetime
Hockey's schools in Minnesota and really improve your play. Click
here and find out more.
|
|
