OK, so everyone has been on teams that have had trouble clearing the zone and/or breaking in. This rule stems from that scenario. However it does not solve that problem, but does alleviate it just a bit.
The rule is: When you are about five (5) feet from your defensive blue line, dump the puck out of the zone and across the blue line; when breaking into the zone and five (5) feet from the offensive blue line, dump the puck in and go get it.
Now there are some variations to this, and it mostly applies to when you have pressure, more so when in the defensive zone. Use the boards to get the puck out and at least buy some time to re-organize on defense. The boards are a part of the rink for a reason, so lets go ahead and use them. When you get pressure trying to exit the zone, bounce it off the boards and around the opposing team and step around them to retrieve it.
Now when breaking into the zone, this same method applies. If you receive a good amount of pressure trying to get across their blue line, use the boards and dump it in and go get it. This is better than trying to make the cute fancy move at the blue line, that you may or may not be able to do, that usually ends up in a turnover. Even if you do not get the puck back, the other team has to go nearly the whole length of the ice rather than just two thirds of it when the puck gets turned over at the blue line.
Of course there are pros and cons to both of these, but the pros out-weight the cons. When exiting the zone, they will have to wait for everyone to get on-side before re-entering, giving you time to organize again and get set up, or make a change, even if it is a few people. When breaking into the zone, you don't risk a turnover at their blue line. With both, you will have a less likelihood of having your three forwards leaving the zone, turn the puck over, and have a 3-on-2 going back at your end.
So remember, five (5) feet, and get the puck across whichever blue line you are at. It will save you in some tough spots.
Also that fancy move at the blue line leads to a lot of off sides calls, since your team mates are looking for you to either carry the puck into the zone or dump it in.
ReplyDeleteTime to sound off about this subject from a defenseman perspective. Getting the puck out of the zone is critical. ALWAYS look for an outlet for the puck first!
ReplyDeleteI will say that a little differently, check your 3 lanes up the ice (2 wings 1 center) then check your 4 lane (across to your defense partner who should be 1 stride behind you). IF all these are blocked instead of floating the puck down the ice to their guy, throw the puck HIGH off the GLASS. Your purpose is to angle the puck so that it is going up ice and towards the center, preferably stopping before their blue line and defense. This should give two of your players a chance to scramble for it and you may win the center ice battle. IF not get above the blue and clog up the center ice and force them wide.
It's all about bad turn-overs. Most teams have a breakout which usually sends the forwards up ice. Turning the puck over just inside your own defensive blueline forces your forwards to turn and backcheck but the other team's forwards aren't forced to regroup to bring the puck in; it's already in. And they now have speed to attack your defense.
ReplyDelete