Clearing the Puck from the Defensive Zone

With the puck in the defensive zone, the defensive player closest goes to the puck.  The wingers go to the boards to give the defensive player the option to pass the puck around the boards.  The center goes down to the crease and turns up ice looking for a pass from either the defender or the winger

If the pass goes to the left, the right winger takes a position against the board at the slot on the circle giving the defender a target to pass to.  Expect a pass against the boards, to ricochet off the board, or directly in front of you where you are showing your stick.  Then look to the middle where the center is moving up ice expecting a pass.  The left winger then heads up ice giving the center a pass if challenged by the defense.

If the pass goes to the right, the left winger takes a position against the board at the slot on the circle giving the defender the opportunity to pass the puck against the boards.  Expect the puck to come against the boards.  Once the winger has controlled the puck, look to the middle where the center is moving up ice expecting a pass.

Pressuring the puck on a clear

When the other team is attempting to clear the puck,  apply pressure to the puck as a small mistake from the other team can make a scoring opportunity.  The center should apply pressure while the puck is in the corner while the wings try to cut off outlet passes.  The defender on the puck side should be on the boards.  Deciding whether to pinch in to the zone or not is a tricky call.  If the player with the puck is facing you and headed up ice, pinching is not a good idea.  If the player has their back to you and does not have the puck yet, you have a good chance at pinching and keeping the puck in your zone.  The off side defender need to see this and move to the middle of the ice to protect against a fast break.

Winning the face-off

The Center needs to decide where to try to win the puck before entering the face-off circle.  

One common play in the offensive zone is the center sweeps the puck behind to a waiting defender.  The right winger goes to the goal and screens the goalie.  The defender then centers the puck to the other defender who takes a shot. The center and left wing head to the goal looking for a rebound from the shot.  

In the defensive zone, the center sweeps the puck into the corner away from the goal.  The defender goes to get the puck and the wings set up to clear the puck.  The far side winger needs to hustle to the boards to give the defender an outlet pass.  Do not pass to the middle since the other team will be there.

Defending the face-off

Defender on a fast break from the side

When a defender skates the puck into the offensive zone, the wingers need to fall back to play defense until the defender can get back.

 When the defender skates the puck down the boards, the winger from that side needs to stop at the blue line giving the defender a drop pass.  The other defender heads to the opposite side getting ready for a rebound that might make it to the blue line.

Defender on a fast break from the middle

When the defender skates the puck down the middle of the ice, it gets a little more complicated.  The defender should take the puck to the center of the ice.  The center then takes a winger position and the winger from that side stops at the blue line or the center takes a defense position while the other defender balances to the other side.

Each player needs to be aware where their team mates are on the ice.  While a fast break is a great scoring opportunity, it also leaves the attacking team exposed to a fast break the other direction.