I have been playing hockey for most of my life, and coached it for most of the last ten years. One of the things I have always looked at when teaching hockey is the positioning of the players – how to stand, how to pass, shoot, and cut – and how to position themselves in relation to their teammates and opponents.
There are a number of terms used in hockey that can be difficult to learn, let alone understand, without using a replay. Some of the terms are:
Table of Contents
Pro-Active Defence (P.A.D)
This is the type of defence in which the player actively moves around the ice to stick-check, block shots, and close gaps for their teammates. Typically using their skate to whip around the ice, a pro-active defender will always maintain a full head of steam and make a strong presence around the net.
To learn more, check out this great video by Scott McKenzie.
Active Neutral Defence (A.N.D)
This is the type of neutral defence in which the player does not actively move around the ice, but stays in place and defends their zone by using positional awareness and their stick to intercepting and breaking up the play. An active neutral defender will generally stay within a few feet of their own net, preferring to stay out of the way of the play rather than join in.
Defensive Zone Coverage (D.Z.C)
Defensive zone coverage is the act of a defender creeping towards their own net to cover the zone. You will often see a defender with their head up, peeking above the shoulder of their teammate to scan the opposing team’s ice-sheet. Typically, the closer a defender gets to their own net, the more aggressive they will play.
To start off simple, a player in defensive zone coverage is in a defensive stance, with their stick raised above their head. When an opposing player approaches the net, the defender will either start a jam, try to block the shot, or challenge the player for puck-control.
As you might expect, this can be a slippery slope, and before you know it you have a full-fledged fight breaking out in the middle of the ice. To avoid this, stick to these basics:
Offensive Zone Coverage (O.Z.C)
While defending their zone, an offensive coverage defender will start tracking the puck on the wing and take it deep into the opposing team’s territory, looking to set up a scoring position for their team. They will work hard to keep the puck in the offensive zone until the last possible moment, then collapse the zone, causing the puck to hopscotch across the ice into their teammates’ hands, or into the net.
High Puck Support (H.P.S)
When a goalie is not positioned in front of the net, they are known as high-puck-support, or occasionally just pucks. This is a role that can be occupied by a variety of players, but will usually be taken by the centre who is closest to the opposing goal. A high-puck-support player will dive full-length across the ice to make a body-length save between the legs of an opposing forward, in order to keep the puck in the offensive zone. This is an incredibly important role, and without good high-puck-support, every other aspect of a team’s defensive strategy will fall apart.
Dressing Room:
You will often see a coach or manager come out to the ice to speak with a player after the game. This is referred to as the dressing room, and can be a place where emotions run high, especially after a big game or practice. It is always important to keep in mind that you should not be showing your cards to the other team, regardless of whether you are in the dressing room or on the ice. The important thing to do is to come together as a team, help each other out, and move on.
On-Ice Behavior:
On the ice, we have more than enough terms and a few conventions that can make or break your team’s performance. One of the most important things you can do is instill a sense of professionalism. This means you will need to set a good example for your players by carrying yourself, and playing your position well. It can also mean you have to act differently than you would in the dressing room.
One of the most useful tips I can give you is this: whenever possible, be the last player to leave the ice. This will give you time to take a lap around the ice, calm down, and interact with your players. Being the first player off the ice can help create a bad tone, and make it seem like you are worried about your own timeliness rather than the team’s performance.
Final Takeaway:
Learning the terms and concepts behind hockey can be tricky. A big part of the problem is that the rules of the game change with every update, and the strategies evolve with every new era. One of the best things you can do for your team is to educate them on the simple fundamentals of hockey, and help them understand the why behind each position and strategy. With your team playing and competing at the highest level, it is vital that they understand why they are where they are, and what they need to do to be successful.