Positioning 101 where to be and where not to be on the ice Phase Matrix Ice Hockey

What we’ll cover:  The basic job of each position  Where to be: during face offs in the defensive zone in the neutral zone in the offensive zone  Offsides  Shift changes (when, why, how)  When everything goes to hell

Forward: Center  Leads the line, drives plays  Tells the forwards where to be/go in the face off  Wins face offs  On defense: assists D, covers extra player, gets possession  On offense: drives the play, makes opportunities, passes, scores

Forward: Center Area of responsibility

Forward: Center Face offs C RW LW C RD LD C C C LW RW LD RD RW RD LD LW C C RW LD RD LW RW LD RD G LW RW LD RD G LW RD LD RW G LW C RD LD G RW LW C RD LD G RW LW C RD LD G C

 Bring the puck into the offensive zone; rush, pass, fake  Control the puck (forecheck) and make opportunities for the rest of the line  Shoot, SCORE!!!  In the defensive zone, cover opposing D, look for the puck and breakout Forward: Right Wing, Left Wing

Forward: Left Wing, Right Wing Area of responsibility LW RW RD LD

LW RW LW C RD LD LW RW LW RW LW RW C LD RD RW RD LD LW C RW C LD RD C LD RD G C LD RD G C LD G RW LW C RD LD G RW LW C RD LD G RW LW C RD LD G Forward: Left Wing, Right Wing Face offs

 On defense, cover opposing forwards, intercept passes, break up plays  Does not screen the goalie: ties up players but also MOVES THEM OUT OF SLOT  Backcheck, deliver puck to forwards  Follows behind driving forward line, takes passes or defends after turnover if necessary Defense: Right Defense, Left Defense  On offense, helps keep puck in offensive zone but not at the cost of staying ahead of advancing forwards!

Defense: Left D, Right D Area of responsibility LD RD

LD RD RW LW C RD LD RD LD C LW RW LD RD RW RD LD LW C C RW LD RD C LW RW G C LW RW G C LW RW G LW RW C RD LD G RW LW C RD LD G RW LW C RD LD G Defense: Left Defense, Right Defense Face offs

Offsides Offsides is when a player precedes the puck into the offensive zone. It will result in a whistle and a face off in the neutral zone. C RW LW C RW

Shift or Line Changes  Shifts or lines change when:  1 to 1.5 minutes: ENOUGH. 2+ minutes: TOO LONG.  Forwards try to change with their line The bench coach/captain calls for one  Change when the puck has offensive momentum, never during defense There is a whistle, a new face off and the last shift is ready to get off the ice A player is fatigued or hurt and wants relief

What to do when it all goes to hell On defense: cover a player (not the goal!) On offense: aim for space, cover points  Keep your position, make sure all positions stay covered:  Follow the play, not the puck  You have more time than you think: relax

WIN!WIN! And above all: Phase Matrix Ice Hockey