How do you stop your opponent from scoring?
Every hockey team wants to score goals. That’s how you win the game, right? Well, the other team is trying to win, too! Goals are scored in the offensive zone, either off the rush, from in-zone play, or on the powerplay. Coaches spend a lot of time finding creative new ways to score goals, which means coaches also need to commit to a system that prevents those goals.
It doesn’t matter how well your team stacks up against an opponent, you’re going to spend time in your own zone during a typical hockey game. But you’ll spend a lot less time there if your team excels in defensive zone coverage.
What are the benefits of having an effective defensive zone coverage system?
For this series we’re going to focus exclusively on playing inside the defensive zone. That means we’re going to omit rush chances here, or chances that occur when the opponent carries the puck into the zone. Quick note on that, though: the key defensive tactic for chances off the rush is, and will always remain, backchecking.
Back to the D-zone: structure matters here more than anywhere else. We want to limit the most dangerous chances by giving our players clear assignments instead of guessing. This also builds confidence in the most important player on the ice - the goalie - because shots are more predictable. At higher levels of hockey - early teens and up - the relative skill levels between any two given teams will be close. Goals are scored not so much when the skill-sets differ, but when coverage breaks down or someone goes off script.
How can you choose the right defensive zone coverage for your team?
For your defensive zone coverage to work, everyone needs to be on the same page. That includes players as well as coaches. The coach also needs to own whatever path they choose, which means they need to feel comfortable teaching any given system.
So that’s number 1: coach comfort and teachability.
Also, a focused defensive zone coverage isn’t for one player, but for everybody. It’s impossible to have one player doing one thing and another doing something else.
So that’s number 2: the average skill-set of the players.
Man-to-man coverage rewards strong individual defenders and skating ability, while zone defence rewards positional discipline and communication. Hybrid rewards adaptable, high-hockey-IQ players with a little bit of creativity.
The right choice depends on a particular roster’s strengths and often takes a season to dial in.
Why a whole season? Because the other team won’t stop trying to score on you while you’re defending. And when they’re successful, it will be another chance to learn!
What types of defensive zone coverage are there in hockey?
So let’s get into it. This series will outline each defensive zone coverage scheme so you can make a decision on what will work best for your team. Chances are you’ll gravitate towards different components in each. The key is to get organized and feel comfortable with where you’re going.
