D-Zone Tactics
Objectives:
 Neutralize the offensive attack to a safe zone.
 Force a turnover and control of the puck.
Basic Tactics:
 YOU MUST PLAY THE BODY!
 Stay committed to your position and responsibility.
 Direct & Contain the puck to the outside, corners or behind the net (Soft Ice).
 Create layers of coverage in the zone.
 Always be first off the wall.
SD (Strong Defense): Pressure the puck carrier from defensive position (between the open opponent, the puck
and the net).
F1 (Closest Forward): If possession is in question, support SD. Stay between the player, puck and net adding
a layer of containment. If SD has the body pinned, take the puck. When D gains the puck, be an outlet pass
behind the net or proceed up the middle.
F2 (Second Forward): Assumes coverage of the board side point at the top of the face-off circle. If the puck
moves to the point, Attack at an inside out angle to contain the play wide. Stay agile and try to block the shot.
WD (Weak Defense): Positioned off the weak-side post then move to within a stick and a half length of the
opponent. Maintain good defensive body position (between the player, puck and net).
F3 (Third Forward): Assume the low slot with your head on a swivel. Be within a stick length and in
defensive position (between the open opponent, the puck and the net).
D-Zone Coverage
Objectives:
 Neutralize the offensive attack to a safe zone.
 Force a quick turnover of the puck and transition to offense.
Basics:
 Stay committed to your position and responsibility.
 Contain activity to outside the face-off dots.
 IN OUR DENSIVE ZONE, YOU MUST PLAY THE BODY!
SD: (Strong Defense): Eliminate option by taking an angled path that denies the puck carrier the back of the
net as a safe haven. Play the body and stop the attacker’s movement. When playing on the boards always be
first off the wall and stay between the player, puck and net.
C: (Center): Support SD. Always stay between the player, puck and net adding pressure to pressure. If SD
has the body and player’s movement is stopped, take the puck. When playing on the boards, always be first off
the wall.
WD: (weak-side defense): Positioned off the weak-side post within a stick length of the opponent. Maintain
good body position by staying between the player, puck and net. Pick up sticks
SW: (strong side wing): Must hold your position and guard the strong-side defenseman. If the puck moves to
the point, take an inside out angle to contain the play. Stay agile and try to block the shot. Always make
contact, pushing the defense out of the zone.
WW: (weak side wing): Positioned in the slot with your head on a swivel. Be within a stick length of the
opponent applying top-side pressure. If WD must vacate the net you must step down between the open player,
puck and net.
IF THE ATTACK ACHIEVES POSITION BEHIND THE NET, DEFENSE LOCK SKATES TOP POST AND
FLUSH THE PUCK CARRIER TO THEIR BACK HAND THE CENTER ASSUMES THE FLUSHING
DEFENSE POSITION.
D-Zone Shift
(Puck moves to the weak side)
Objectives:
 Neutralize the offensive attack to a safe zone.
 Force a quick turnover of the puck and transition to offense.
Basics:
 Stay committed to your position and responsibility.
 Contain activity to outside the face-off dots.
 IN OUR DENSIVE ZONE, YOU MUST PLAY THE BODY!
WD: (weak-side defense): Contains from the back of the net and becomes SD.
SD: (Strong Defense): Assumes the weak-side post and becomes WD.
C: (Center): Pursues with a path across the front of the net and supports the defense.
SW: (strong side wing): Drops to the slot position and applies back side pressure to the opponent.
WW: (weak side wing): Shifts to the top of the face off circle and assumes the responsibilities of SW.
** If the play is contained to the outside, our routes are shorter and we can attack quickly. Playing the
body will slow the attack and dislodge the puck.
**When the puck pops free we must be first to recover it.
D-Zone Wing Umbrella Coverage
Objectives:
 Neutralize the offensive attack to a safe zone.
 Force a turnover and control of the puck.
Basics:
 Stay committed to your position and responsibility.
 Control the puck to the soft ice or behind the net.
 IN OUR DENSIVE ZONE, YOU MUST PLAY THE BODY!
SD: (Strong Defense): Pressure the puck carrier to the boards angling and deny the puck carrier the back of the
net as a safe haven. Play the body and stop the attacker’s movement. When playing on the boards, always be
first off the wall and stay in defensive body position (between the player, puck and net).
WD: (Back Side): Positioned off the weak-side post then move to within a stick and a half length of the
opponent. Maintain good defensive body position (between the player, puck and net).
SW: (Closest): If possession is in question, support SD from the boards down. Stay between the player, puck
and net adding pressure to pressure. If SD has the body and player’s movement is stopped, take the puck.
When playing on the boards, always be first off the wall. If D has possession, be an outlet pass on the midboards.
WW: (Back Side): Assume the low slot with your head on a swivel. Be within a stick length and in defensive
position (between the open opponent, the puck and the net).
C: Assumes coverage of the board side point at the top of the face-off circle. If the puck moves to the point,
Attack at an inside out angle to contain the play wide. Stay agile and try to block the shot.
D-Zone 1-2-2 Tight Coverage
Objectives:
 Neutralize the offensive attack to a safe zone.
 Force a quick turnover of the puck and transition to offense.
Basics:
 Stay committed to your position and responsibility.
 All coverage starts from the middle of the ice (inside the face-off dots) and pressures out to the boards.
 IN OUR DENSIVE ZONE, YOU MUST PLAY THE BODY!
D1: (Strong Defense): Pressure the puck carrier to the boards angling and deny the puck carrier the back of the
net as a safe haven. Play the body and stop the attacker’s movement. When playing on the boards, always be
first off the wall and stay between the player, puck and net.
D2: (Weak-Side Defense): Positioned off the weak-side post within a stick length of the opponent. Maintain
good body position by staying between the player, puck and net. Pick up sticks
F1: (Closest Forward): If possession is in question, support SD from the boards down. Stay between the
player, puck and net adding pressure to pressure. If SD has the body and player’s movement is stopped, take
the puck. When playing on the boards, always be first off the wall. If D has possession, be an outlet pass on the
mid-boards.
F2: (Second Forward in Zone): Assume the low slot with your head on a swivel. Be within a stick length and
between the open opponent, the puck and the net.
F3: (Trailing Forward): Assumes the high slot position between both offensive points. If the puck moves to
the point, Attack at an inside out angle to contain the play wide. Stay agile and try to block the shot.