Some strategy talk

The diagram above demonstrates a very generic visual of where you should be hanging out. On D the wingers can't get sucked into the corners to help out and shouldn't be crossing over to the opposite side.

The following is a few common sense items all players should be following.
NEVER make a move at the blue line
Making a deke at the blue line to get in their zone will most likely result in a turnover. That turnover will result in the play coming back into our zone while we’re all skating the opposite way. Another good reason is that the rest of your forwards won’t expect it and increases the chase of going offside. All bad bad things. Rather, get in, avoid offsides and get the puck deep and setup your forwards.

Penalties
Don’t take them. Giving your discipline a minimum of 88 is required! Most penalties in NHL10 result in a goal. Be cautious.

Fighting
No matter how frustrated you are, there is no need to fight. That five minutes you spend in the box is five minutes you’re not helping the team score.

Avoid Offsides and turnoversThese two things will bring the overall momentum of the team down, not mentally but it’s actually programmed into the game.

Spread out and cover your menNo opposing player should be left unattended, none of our players should be bunched up.

First forward backchecking into the defensive zone* Play 3-3 with defensemen, usually as the support man.
* Maintain defensive side positioning when they have two players fighting your defenseman for the puck in the corner.
* Be in a position to maintain the defensive side and get immediate pressure if they pass to your man deep in the zone.
* Mirror the puck on a breakout.
* Give middle support on a pass to the winger.
* Give close support to the winger and help to get the puck over the blue line on a pinch.

Second backchecker in the defensive zone* Back check to the mid slot area and cover the weak side point, with stick in the mid slot passing lane,
* Collapse down and support if someone loses their one on one, the puck is below the goal line or on rebounds.
* On the break out be ready for a quick rim pass to the boards.
* On break out can also go wide or protect the mid slot, stretch or get a dump out.
* On a D to D pass or rim get on the wide boards and get the puck out.

Third backchecker in the defensive zone* Cover the strong side point and don´t allow a walk through the seam by the low forward.
* Be ready for a quick pass to the boards, fight to get the puck out or freeze it, you cannot lose possession.

1 ON 1 SITUATIONS1 – 1 offense
* The goal is to have the puck carrier become a threat to score and force the defender to challenge him instead of allowing the defender to dictate the play.
* In an outside lane, attack from the side of defender and use change of pace and big moves. At the offensive blue line read if the defender gives up the
blue line. If he backs in, cut inside, if he stands up or is slow then go wide.
* Using various moves, and speeds forces the defender to think of various ways to defend and this slows his reaction and gives the attacker the advantage.

Playing the Trap 1-2-2 * First player force puck to the outside lane.
* Strong side forward play body on the puck carrier.
* Weak side forward fill the middle lane.
* Strong side defenseman, stand up and defend red and blue line.
* Weak side defenseman cover the weak side forward.
* Outnumber the offense in the neutral zone, dividing ice in half, weak side defenseman cover wide winger.
* When defenders regain the puck, the wide winger should break through the middle for a penetrating counter attack pass.

CENTER
A center needs to be both offensive- and defensive-minded, as well as have superior playmaking skills to move the puck to wingers. A center also needs to have good foot speed because they have to cover the most ground. Your stats for faceoffs should be boosted to the tits.

Faceoffs
A good centerman needs to be effective on faceoffs because a faceoff can often result in a good scoring chance. Although it is helpful to be aggressive, NEVER let the opposing center throw you off the draw. A center that can get through cleanly will be able to attack a defense that is flat-footed and set up a good scoring chance.

Committing in the Offensive Zone
Any forward needs to know that if both his centerman and wing are forechecking deep, they cannot commit. If all three players are forechecking deep and the opposing defenseman makes a nice play, the right wing is leaving their team vulnerable for an odd man rush.

WINGERS
Faceoffs – Never Leave a Man Open
As a winger you need to make sure you don´t leave your man open off the draw. There is nothing wrong with being aggressive, but leaving your man open could lead to a quick, unexpected counterattack.

Wings in Defensive Zone
The winger is absolutely responsible for the defenseman on their side and that defenseman should never be allowed to get a shot. Wingers should not get sucked down low, there are certain circumstances, but wings, guard your points. Be available and open on the breakout!

Committing in the Offensive Zone
Any forward needs to know that if both his centerman and wing are forechecking deep, they cannot commit. If all three players are forechecking deep and the opposing defenseman makes a nice play, the right wing is leaving their team vulnerable for an odd man rush. NEVER HAVE 3 MEN DEEP!

DEFENCE
Defense In the Defensive Zone
* Cover the front of the net – always one man in front.
* Be alert for opposition face-off plays.
* When the puck at the point – clear the front of the net and control the opposition sticks by sealing them to the outside.

1 – 1 defense
* Try to stop the attacker as far as possible from the defensive zone.
* When the attacker is in an outside lane turn when he is parallel to you and flare out square to attacker, then angle him to the corner and finish.
* Stay on defensive side blocking way to net or angling attacker into corner.
* If the attacker delays you must stay with him and continue 1-1 beating him back to the net if he passes.

Defensemen In the Offensive End
* Stand a few feet inside the blue line to prevent the puck from getting out.
* Be alert for breaking forwards and go with them, don´t gamble on knocking down the pass.
* Shoot low, just above height of stick blade or on the ice hard, be sure to miss the first man.
* When on your backhand at the point, shoot the puck into the corner.
* Look for forwards uncovered off either post and try a shot pass wide of the net for a tip.
* No unsafe stick handling as the last man, instead shoot the puck behind the net.
* No blind point to point passes, you must be sure they are safe.
* Keep the puck in front of you.
* (last resort)Be ready to pinch if a forward is in position to cover for you.

Playing defense in ice hockey in the neutal zone
* Don´t let an opponent coming out of your zone hang behind you uncovered.
* Try to meet the play before the blue line on a 2 on 2 and 3 on 3.
* Turn and go with an uncovered breaking winger.
* Talk to forwards and defense partner all the time.

Everyone covers their man.
No opposing player should be left alone. Sometimes plays can get tricky. Do not chase the puck, do not leave your man alone.

Communication
When you are playing defense and the person you are guarding leaves you zone, let your team mate know that there are 2 people in the zone. You can stay with the person but you need to be aware if another offensive player rotates around and enters the zone you are guarding.

Do not chase after the puck.This will cause players to get confused on who they need to guard

Center
•Center is the 3rd Dman
•He applies pressure in the middle area and can help the dmen down low
•Dmen should be aware when he’s downlow as that leaves the center area (slot) open
The Defense-men
•If one is on the left side, the other should be on the right.
•If one is in the corner or behind the net, the other one should be in front of the net.
•If the left defender is playing the person with the puck and they go behind the net and to the right side, the right side defender should move over to the left side.
•Do not chase the puck up the wall to the blue line.
While the play is near the boards, the offside defender should be watching out for:

1.Players that setup in the crease
2.Players trying to sneak in “backdoor”
Wingers
•Stay high and guard the 2 defenders from the other team.
•Do not let them have a shot
•Do not chase a defender past the blue line if they do not have the puck.
•Do not get sucked down to the redline or the corners trying to help the defenders with a play.

cite your sources brah.

Big Fifty wrote:

cite your sources brah.

Didn't realize this was a college paper......Grabed this great info from Men of honors team site

it is now, I just passed it in for my human sexuality class.