2.7 - Objectives - Defense
The Power of Middle-Ice
In all three zones, middle-ice is prime territory. This is the area we want to get the puck to, but we don’t want to force it there. We want to get the puck into the middle of the ice with good possession.
The most obvious area where this applies is in the offensive zone when we are on offense. The scoring zone, or house, is where goals are scored from. Our entire game is built around getting pucks here with possession.
However, it is equally as important to gain middle-ice when on offense in the neutral zone and defensive zone. This is because if we are stuck along the wall, the opponents can essentially use the boards as an additional defender to squeeze off our attack. But if we gain the middle, we can threaten any and all directions to maintain possession, advance the puck and set up a run at the net.
Defensively, we need to also prioritize defending the middle of the ice for the same reasons. Obviously we want to prevent any shots from the scoring zone in our defensive zone, but we also want to prevent the opponents from gaining the middle in our offensive zone and neutral zone. It is much easier to defend when we can just funnel their attack into the boards and kill the play.
Primary Objective
The primary objective anytime we are defending is to get the puck back as quickly as possible. When we have the puck we can score and the opponent’s cant, so this needs to be our first priority.
Upon any turnover, there is a 2-second rule. If the defensive team can put hard pressure on the puck carrier within the first 2-seconds of possession, they stand a very good chance to get the puck back or trigger a swarm for a loose puck.
Secondary Objective
However, not all situations will call for an all-out attack on the puck. We will often need to be conservative and work to deny the opponent the chance to advance the puck up the ice. So our secondary objective, if we cannot get the puck back within 2-3 seconds after a turnover, becomes holding the lines. This could mean holding the red line to force an icing, or holding our defensive blue line to deny clean entry into our zone.
Contain Option
If we are unable to get the puck back quickly or hold the lines, our objective shifts to containing the threats to the outside of the ice. We will focus on defending middle-ice inside the dots. If you are ever unsure exactly what to do defensively, report to the middle of the ice first and sort it out from there.
Recap
Primary Objective - Get the puck back quickly Secondary Objective - Hold the lines, prevent opponent from advancing cleanly Contain Objective - Report to middle-ice