Positionless Hockey: The Future of Flow and Creativity

by Jeff German, Head Coach, Denison University

Thank you to all the coaches who responded to my last post regarding coaching concepts over systems.  I’ve had several coaches reach out and ask for more detail on positionless hockey.  Therefore, I thought I’d go into more detail about planning and implementing this in your own game.  A word of caution, it’s difficult to coach, and using traditional systems is way easier to coach.  But traps and structured forechecks can, and will, stifle players ability to play free.  But, as the great Mickey Redmond says, “it’s no place for a nervous person.”  You’ll need to be comfortable winning games 5-4 instead of 1-0.  Especially until the team gets a grasp on their roles.

Anyway, here we go. In today’s fast-evolving hockey landscape, coaches, players, and programs are seeking ways to better develop creativity, speed, and adaptability. One of the most exciting advancements is the rise of positionless hockey; a model that prioritizes player instincts, read-and-react decision-making, and fluidity over rigid positional systems. From elite European clubs to progressive North American youth organizations, positionless hockey is no longer a novelty but a necessity for modern play. This article explores its evolution, benefits, training methodology, and the core elements that make it effective, especially in youth development.

The Evolution Toward Positionless Play

Historically, hockey has been taught with strict positional roles: defensemen stay back, wingers work the boards, and centers cover the middle. However, the modern game has shifted toward high-tempo, five-man units that attack and defend together. The European influence, especially from Sweden and Finland, has brought greater emphasis on movement and flow. Notably, Sweden’s "Torpedo System" flips conventional roles by deploying essentially four forwards and one defensive specialist - the "Libero."

While I’m not endorsing The Torpedo system, it reveals a fundamental truth: hockey is best played with aggressive offensive posture and total-team defense. Once your team has possession, everyone is on offense. Likewise, when defending, it's all hands on deck. This fluidity of roles aligns perfectly with the principles of positionless hockey. 

Systems create scenarios where teams can be overcoached, positionless hockey, like the Torpedo, should simplify the game.  What does F1 do? “Go get the puck and score.” Ultimately, that’s what we are working towards.

Training Without Sacrificing Structure

Critics often argue that abandoning positional systems leads to chaos. But positionless hockey isn’t a lack of structure, on the contrary, it's the application of structure through principles rather than positions. And, as it turns out, when done correctly, very often looks like traditional systems on the ice. To train this effectively:

1. All Players, All Drills: Forwards should engage in defensive drills, and defensemen must participate in offensive zone work. This cross-training ensures every player understands time, space, and pressure from every area of the ice.
2. Zone Splitting and Micro-Games: Divide the ice into equal horizontal and vertical zones. Teach players to create 2-on-1s or man-advantages in each micro-zone through movement, communication, and support. These concepts carry from one zone to the next, promoting consistency. (using “gates games” is a great way to do this.)
3. Surfing and Angling: The backbone of positionless defense is the ability to track or surf into pressure and angle attackers toward low-percentage areas. Rather than giving ground and skating backward, defenders should close space immediately, eliminating gaps and forcing early decisions.
4. Tracking Through the Middle Ice: Arguably the most important skill in today’s transitional game. Players must track up through the middle of the ice with strong stick positioning and body control. This central path cuts off passing lanes, increases pressure on puck carriers, and provides better support for teammates.

Defensive Reads and Turnover Creation

Positionless hockey thrives on anticipation and situational awareness. Great teams defend by reading what's in front of them (an on occasion, behind them) and acting decisively.

Key Concepts:

• Observe and React: Defensive players must identify threats up ice, rather than puck-watching. If an opponent has a numerical advantage or is isolated, that read dictates the next move. 
• No Gap, No Retreat: Defenders should eliminate time and space immediately. Backward skating should be minimized; instead, players should angle and pivot aggressively to pressure the puck. 
• Immediate Recognition: Picking up your assignment instantly on a turnover increases the chance of disrupting the play and generating an offensive counterattack. Stepping up an eliminating an option by playing tight on a wing by a defenseman is not a pinch, it’s a calculated choice and it happens prior to the puck arriving there, in fact if done right, eliminates the option of the puck being passed there all together.  Pinching isn’t what we are looking for, we are essentially “sitting” on the player eliminating the option.

Neutral Zone Examples and Reads

The neutral zone is often where positionless play shines. Here are two key reads and how to teach them:

1. Strong-Side NZ Read

• Scenario: The opponent is regrouping and attempts to exit on the strong side.
• Read: F1 recognizes early that the D-to-D pass is telegraphed and begins surfing across.
• Result: By closing the gap before the puck arrives, the D can force a turnover, icing, or a dump in.

Diagram A: Strong-Side NZ Read

2. Middle Lane Squeeze

• Scenario: A center carries through the middle off a turnover.
• Read: Both defensemen step up together, one angles, one supports.
• Result: Creates a tight pocket where puck carrier is forced to dump or risk losing possession.

Diagram B: Middle Lane Squeeze

These reads rely less on set positioning and more on reaction, support, and quick decision-making. With practice, they become automatic.

Flow Through Communication and Movement

Positionless hockey doesn’t eliminate roles , it simply makes them dynamic. To achieve consistent execution:

• Split Ice into Equal Parts: This visual and conceptual approach helps players know where they are, who their options are, and how to tilt the odds in their favor.
• Zig-Zag Motion: Once we establish possession, North-south movement should rarely be linear. The classic Swedish weave, weaving lateral movement with puck support , enables give-and-go's, soft picks, and makes defensive coverage far more difficult.
• Communication: With fluid roles, players must talk. Whether it's "I've got middle," "support low," or "swing high," real-time callouts allow teammates to read and react as a single unit.
• Video is your friend: Video your practices and games.  Reinforce good reads and explain where better choices can be made.  They will soon develop their situational awareness.

European Influence and the Torpedo Inspiration

The Torpedo system deserves special attention because of how it simplifies and modernizes the team shape:

• Four Attackers: Two high-pressure forwards and two support attackers play with offensive freedom.
• One Libero: A free safety defenseman who acts as the last line and jumps into rushes only when necessary.  In many cases, this is the F3 on a forecheck or NZ.

While not every youth team can play full Torpedo hockey, the philosophy behind it offers immense teaching value. It emphasizes:

• Constant pressure
• Rotating triangle support
• Full-team backcheck
• Dynamic possession play

Adopting elements from this system at youth and elite levels builds more complete, creative players who aren’t locked into positional thinking.

If you are interested in reading more on Torpedo Hockey, I suggest this excellent book by coach Rick Traugott.

Offensive Mindset: Fast and Free

It's time to challenge the old mantra that "defense wins championships." Defense is vital, yes, but it must be team-first and puck-focused. Once you retrieve the puck, every player is an attacker. This shift in mindset lets your team transition more quickly and catch opponents flat-footed.

• Encourage puck support in all zones.
• Play fast! Promote automatic transition from defense to offense.
• Reduce reliance on set breakouts or regroups.
• Be comfortable with the puck in your Defensive zone. Show poise and possession by finding quiet ice in the D-zone.
• Breakout under your own terms.

Let your players play fast and free. Teach them to own their reads, trust their instincts, and attack with creativity.

Conclusion

Positionless hockey is not a fad, it is the future. It teaches players to understand the game through principles, not placements. With a foundation in surfing, angling, tracking through the middle, and intelligent zone reads, teams become more adaptable and harder to defend. By embracing systems like the Torpedo and blending them with modern communication and support tactics, coaches can unlock their team's full potential. Teach all players all aspects of the game, build decision-makers, and let the game flow. When done right, positionless hockey turns chaos into creativity and that’s how today’s game is won.

Play fast. Play free. Teach the game the way it's meant to be played and watch as every member of your team increase their hockey IQ and love for the game.