Inverted D-Zone Coverage
Description
Strong Side Defenseman - ATTACKS puck carrier and makes contact - should pin and take out first forechecker.
Strong Side Winger - supports strong side defenseman in corner to outnumber the offense. picks up loose puck when Defense pins forechecker.
Weakside defenseman - comes over to strong side and holds goal side - can attack any breakdown coming from that corner and up near face-off dot. Should never go into corner or side wall. Can pop low when we have control for weak side breakout knowing weakside winger is covering slot.
Weakside Winger - comes down low and covers third forechecker in slot. can move high or low slot depending on F3 positioning. Must be man on man and think defense first.
Center - will be responsible for BOTH pointmen. Stays in between both, cheating to strong side pointman when puck in corner. Must stay up high above hash marks and ONLY goes low in coverage if a pointman rolls or crashes net. When we get control, center can come to strong side boards for breakout pass or curl for indirect chip.
Notes: 1. All players have a portion of the zone that is their responsibility and all have a designated role. We should always outnumber on the wall 2v3 and need to be physical.
2. We should know where to chip the puck to areas where center or weak defense can pick up for full control.
3. If opposition peels off wall to net, center DOES NOT attack...instead weakside defense comes up to play him being that he is free from slot coverage.
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