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BASIC TEAM PATTERNS

Everything that follows comes from two basic ideas. We will play a three-two offense and a two-three defense. That means when we are attacking we use the three forwards up front and two defense in back. In the attacking zone the two defensemen play at the blue line and the three forwards play all over the attacking zone. When the other team is attacking (Important note: that begins when they get the puck, no matter where it is), we use two defensemen and one forward back playing as a defenseman.

There are six phases to the game of hockey, three defensive and three attack.

Defensive phases:

     1. The other team's breakout,
     2. Neutral zone defense,
     3. Defending our own zone.

Attack phases:

     4. Breakout,
     5. Setting up in the neutral zone,
     6. Attack zone play.

Each one of these is equally important to effective play. Defensive play is just as important as attacking and shooting and is not confined to our own zone. Nor is it something only the goaltender and defensemen do. Forwards, being one half of the team, are actually more important to defensive play than defensemen. Without good checking by the forwards (both forechecking and backchecking) we will unnecessarily get a lot of goals scored against us. Another point often neglected in hockey is the play in the neutral zone. Smart positioning and fast skating in the neutral zone will give us the advantage at both ends of the rink. Remember, all six phases have equal importance.

We'll talk about one phase at a time. We'll start with the defensive phases first, not because I play defense, but because the two hockey schools I recently attended did not cover defensive play at all. When I questioned them on it during the critiques at the end, they said today's philosophy is to score goals and let defense come later. Personally, I disagree. I think we can gain a lot in the defensive area.

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