I hold Dzone in high regard and usually spend the initial three months of the year consistently discussing it with my players. Before critiquing my home team, the Brandon Wheat Kings defensive zone, I recognize that various kinds of D zone strategies exist, and this is merely my viewpoint.

Positioned directly in line with the breakdown shown in this video clip, it was pretty evident in real time why the Blades managed to score this goal. I immediately texted my coaching partner, who was also watching the game. "The winger didn't create a barrier," I wrote, and almost instantly, he responded, "I was thinking the exact same thing."

We all know hockey is a sport full of mistakes! It's the fastest game played on foot, so naturally, mistakes will occur. My coaching partner this year summed it up perfectly: "It typically takes three consecutive breakdowns in our zone for the other team to score." When I explain our Dzone coverage to my players, I emphasize that it's designed to absorb mistakes against us by ensuring the next person is always there for support.

I've received numerous passive-aggressive comments from parents criticizing having the wingers play lower in our zone. My perspective is this: Goals are primarily scored in the slot, so we need the strongest protection there. If our goalie can't stop a shot from the point with all that expensive gear, we have much bigger issues. Ultimately, it comes down to statistics. The probability of scoring is significantly higher in the high-danger area than from outside of it. So let's trust what Under Armour keeps telling us and PROTECT THE HOUSE!

Your positioning on the ice depends on who controls the puck! Is it a:

• 50/50 battle?
• Do they have it?
• Do we have it?

How using Hudl helps break down our D zone coverage on the half wall

In this clip, if you observe our strong-side winger, depending on puck possession, she adjusts her position for a breakout or she "creates a barrier" near the faceoff dot to secure the side of our high-danger area!