Wednesday, 28 September 2011

Basic Neutral Zone Regroup Options

From Hockeyshare.com - great resource site for coaches and players

The ability for a team to properly execute a neutral zone regroup can mean the difference between generating a scoring opportunity and giving up a scoring opportunity.  In this video, we cover four basic neutral zone regroup tactics to help your team transition from the neutral zone to the offensive zone.

Option #1: Post Up -- Wings post up just inside the blue line along the wall for quick outlet options. Center curls strong-side for a secondary pass.  This is a good option for less experienced teams, or teams with defensemen who don’t have strong puck-movement skills and ice vision.

Option #2: Double Curl -- The strong-side wing curls to the middle of the ice while the center curls toward the strong-side wall. The weak-side winger can post up for a tertiary outlet option.  This option creates more offensive movement through the neutral zone, so defensemen need to have solid passing abilities, as they’re attempting to hit a cutting player instead of one at a stand-still.

Option #3: Weak-Side Stretch -- The strong-side wing posts-up, center curls strong-side. The weak-side wing starts up ice, then cuts back across the far blue line looking for a stretch pass outlet.  This option requires defensemen with strong ice vision and passing abilities.

Option #4: Strong-Side Stretch -- The weak-side wing posts-up, center curls strong-side.  The strong-side wing starts up ice, then cuts back across the far blue line looking for a stretch pass outlet.  This option requires defensemen with strong ice vision and passing abilities.


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