The concept of the neutral zone is simple enough. It is the painted area in the hockey rink directly in front of each team’s bench. However, the rules surrounding the neutral zone are a bit more complicated. In this article, we will discuss what is and is not permitted in the neutral zone, and how to properly use it.
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What Is The Neutral Zone?
If you watch any hockey game, you’ll notice that the players are constantly heading towards the opposing team’s bench or to the boards to start the action. The area behind each goal and between the opposing teams’ benches is known as the neutral zone. It is a designated area where offensive and defensive hockey plays take place. Simply put, the neutral zone is the area where the action (scoring) occurs.
The neutral zone is often confused with the ‘Lambert Law’, named after the legendary coach who first implemented it in hockey. Simply put, the Lambert Law states that the player who enters the offensive zone last has ‘the option’ to score. In layman’s terms, this means that the last opposing player to be on the ice has the last ‘call’ on whether or not they will shoot the puck, pass it, or kick it in. This can lead to some extremely exciting hockey games if not done correctly.
Prohibited Activities In The Neutral Zone
As mentioned above, the area behind each team’s bench is the neutral zone. It is therefore critical that play stays in this area and does not venture into the other team’s zone until the action has completely stopped. One of the most important things to keep in mind is that the defensive player can initiate the play. This means that if they choose to do so, they have the right to enter the other team’s zone and start the play there. It also means that the other team has the right to defend their zone by entering the neutral zone.
This rule is important because it helps create a proper balance between offense and defense. If the defense does not enter the neutral zone, it allows the other team to shoot the puck whenever they want without fear of reprisal. With the defenseman in the neutral zone, they have to be ready to follow the play and defend their zone at all times. This is not an easy task, which is why coaches often prefer to use this tactic at the end of a game to help their team relax and de-stress before the start of the next game.
One thing to note is that the neutral zone is not just for play. During stoppages in play, coaches often like to have their players skate around in this area to keep the tension up. This is often referred to as ‘neutral zone practice’ or ‘prepping for the next game’ in coach speak.
Entering The Offensive Zone
As mentioned above, the neutral zone is often referred to as the ‘action zone’ or the ‘scoring zone’. When a player is on the offensive, they are playing in the offensive zone, or simply ‘the zone’ for short. Simply put, the offensive player is the one initiating the play, or otherwise trying to create something (a rebound, a screen, a fake out). Once things are going well, the player with the puck can either pass it to a teammate, or take it in for a shot at the net.
It is important to note here that the offensive player does not have to be in the puck in order to be effective. Simply put, a good offense is often one that is carried out without the puck even being on the ice. This is made possible by the fact that an offensive player is often surrounded by teammates who are willing and able to pick up the slack if the puck is lost or dropped. In other words, if an offensive player does not have the puck on their stick, they can still decide where to go with their body, and where to direct their teammates. This can make them extremely effective without the puck even being near them.
Entering Defensive Zone
As mentioned above, the neutral zone is often seen as the area between the benches. However, there is another important area behind each team’s bench that has an important job to play in hockey as well. This is the defensive zone. The defensive player is the one who is protecting the net and trying to prevent the opposing team from scoring.
While the primary function of a defensive player is to stop the opposing team’s attack, it is also important for the defense to maintain control of the puck. If the puck is pushed too far back and becomes lost in the neutral zone, it is the defensive player’s job to retrieve it and return it to the ‘home’ side of the rink. If they do this effectively, the attack could not continue and the score would have to be called ‘zero’-zero.
It is often difficult to control play in the neutral zone without going too far. If you push the puck too far back and it becomes difficult to retrieve, it is usually a good idea to withdraw back into your defensive zone. This will often leave the opposing team in the dark as to where the puck really is without any risk of having it pushed to the other side of the ice. Additionally, it gives the defensive player some time to regroup and prepare for the next attack. In most cases, a coach will tell their players to ‘stay in your zone’ when the puck is in the neutral zone. This helps remind the players of their primary objective and how important it is to continue protecting the puck and keeping it in their zone. In most cases, this will keep the opposing team at bay and give your team the chance to regroup and prepare for the next attack in their offensive zone.
The above discussion has concentrated on whether or not it is okay for players to be in the neutral zone. However, there is often another important player (or group of players) who are preventing the puck from going in the other direction, or keeping it in their own zone. This is often the case when a team is defending a two-goal lead. In this situation, it is often important for the team playing defense to keep possession of the puck and prevent the other team from scoring. It is often a good idea to ‘double team’ or ‘triple team’ the puck-carrier in these situations. In other words, it is often a good idea to have two or three players work together to prevent the puck-carrying player from getting the puck to their teammates. This often leads to interesting plays and even more exciting hockey games.
While the above discussion has often centered on whether or not it is okay for players to be in the neutral zone, there are often important considerations for the coach as well. For instance, if your team has a clear edge in terms of size and strength, it may not be a good idea for your players to be in the neutral zone. In these situations, it may be better to let the other team pass the puck around until they tire of the exercise, at which point you can counter-attack. While this may not seem fair since you have been patient and allowed the other team to ‘warm-up’ before the start of the game, it is often a situation where ‘winning is not always fair’. This is often the case when a coach wants to keep their players aggressive and inspired so that they can perform well, no matter what happens on the ice. In this situation, it may not be a good idea to put your players in harm’s way by having them enter the neutral zone. This can often prove counterproductive to your team’s success!
When Is It Okay To Be In The Neutral Zone?
While the above discussion has often centered on whether or not it is okay for players to be in the neutral zone, there are often times when it is absolutely necessary. As mentioned above, the neutral zone is the area where offensive and defensive plays occur. If a team is playing a good, clean hockey game, it is quite often the case that a majority of the scoring will occur in this area (in spite of the fact that there is a ‘red light’ camera focused directly in this area at all times!). In most cases, this is a good thing, because it keeps the game lively and interesting. However, if a team is playing a physically rough game, or one where a lot of cheating and trickery is occurring, this is often the area where the most intense battles take place as well. In most cases, it is not advisable to have your players in the neutral zone in these situations, because it could lead to injury.