Defensemen Activation
Jonathon Sheridan
Lawrence University
4 Key Components to D Activating
1) Hard work/Movement
2) Heady
3) Fluidity
4) Communication!
Hard Work/Foot Movement
• Why do we want our D to work hard up ice?
• Do they keep their feet moving in zone?
• Can we expect and demand that all D jump
up/in?
• How do they activate? With a purpose?
Heady
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Do they understand the situation?
Can they jump or should they stay home?
Do they know where their support guys are?
Can they recognize the openings?
Fluidity
• Are they able to play both sides (F/D)(L/R)?
• Can they transition quickly?
• Do some guys need to stay home and others
are more free to jump?
• Are the forwards able to cover the defensive
position?
Communication
• Are the D ‘quarterbacking’ the play?
• Do D partners communicate between each
other?
• Is there certain terminology we need to use?
• How effective is their communication?
O-Zone Activation
Part 1
• F1 starts with long cycle to
F2.
• F2 gathers the puck and
moves the puck to D1, who
then moves it to D2.
• F2 attacks the net.
• D2 looks for the shot or
shot/pass to D2.
• Part 1 flows into Part 2
O-Zone Activation
Part 2
Option 1
•
•
•
F1 gathers puck from corner and passes to D2.
D2 then passes to D1, D2 then jumps down the
seam looking for the shot/pass or rebound.
F1 then fills for D2
Option 2
•
•
•
•
•
F1 gathers puck from corner and moves up half
wall.
D2 jumps down the seam calling for the puck.
F1 has option of giving the puck to D2 for the
shot or D1 slides over for the shot.
F1 can also lay the puck in the corner for relief
allowing D2 to gather.
F1 must then cover for D2
Neutral-Zone Activation
• F1 starts skating toward D1
and then passes to D1.
• D1 passes to D2 who
touches it back to F1 who
has followed the play along
the blue line.
• F2 swings the opposite way
of F1 and then cuts over to
support F1.
• Once D2 touches it to F1,
D1 is activated to make it a
3v0 with F1 and F2
• Option of adding 1 or 2
defenders.
D-Zone Activation
3v2
• Stars with a straight 2v2.
• On whistle 1 of the D swing
around the net and pick up a
puck (then becomes D1) looking
to break out with F1 and F2 who
came down the center lane to
read and react to breakout spots.
D3 and D4 also enter to gap up.
• After breakout D1 then joins F1
and F2 creating a 3v2
opportunity.
• Depending on where D1 is
located…
– High late man
– Filling in for F3 position
D-Zone Activation
4v3
• Starts with a straight 2v2.
• On whistle 1 of the D swing around
the net and pick up a puck (then
becomes D1) looking to break out
with F1, F2, and F3 who came down
the center lane to read and react to
breakout spots. D3, D4, and F4 also
enter to gap up.
• F1, F2, and F3 then attack D3, D4,
and F4 while D1 follows up the play
looking to be the high late man in
the soft spot entering the zone.
• On whistle, D3 or D4 start new F
group the other way.
• Variation is to have D1 play defense
back with D5 to work on quick
transition and reading the play.
Questions or Comments?
Thank you!