Guidelines
Get back to hockey basics with these simple tips

INTRODUCTION
As an intermediate to advanced level hockey player, you should already be aware of most of the basic do’s and don’ts of individual and team play. However, to ensure that everyone is on the same page, the following list of guidelines is provided as a reminder. Please make every effort to adhere to these guidelines during practice and in games.

DEFENSIVE ZONE GUIDELINES

1. Think defense first. Only think offense when you are in full control of the puck.

2. Keep your head up and always take the man first and then the puck.

3. Always finish your check by taking the offensive man out with a bump or a pick after he has passed the puck to eliminate a return pass.

4. One defenseman should always be in front of the net to control any player in the low slot area. The defenseman should face up ice and be aware of players in front of the net. To watch the play in the corner, the defenseman should turn his head but keep his body squared up ice. The defenseman should not turn his back on the slot unless a player is coming from behind the net and is a direct threat to score.

5. Whenever possible, double-team the puck carrier to force mistakes.

6. When a defenseman has the puck inside the defensive blue line and is being pressured, he should make the simple play and dump the puck out over the blue line along the boards. Never try to take on more than one player at your own blue line.

7. When having trouble moving the puck or under pressure, freeze the puck or ice it to get a face-off, stall the attack, and allow your teammates to regroup.

8. Never pass the puck rink-wide or through the center of your own zone. Play North-South, not East-West in your own zone.

9. Always make your outlet pass along the boards or look for a teammate in the corner.

10. Never pass the puck without looking in your own zone (no blind back passes). Play the way you are facing.

11. Never go backward in your own zone. Always try to move the puck out of the zone.

12. When facing an odd-man break (2-1, 3-2), play the pass and let the goalie cover the shot. This means positioning yourself to take away the passing lane by staying between the attacking players. Only go after the puck carrier when he is at the bottom of the circles and no longer has a good passing play.

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NEUTRAL ZONE GUIDELINES

1. If you and your teammates are covered as you approach the attacking zone, either dump the puck into the opponent’s zone or turn and pass back to the defense and regroup for another attack.

2. Never try to stick handle past the opposition when you have teammates with you. Pass the puck around opponents.

3. Forwards without the puck should always move toward open ice with their sticks on the ice to receive a pass.

4. Always head-man the puck. Holding the puck too long makes you easy to defend. Change the point of attack and keep the play moving forward with quick, short passes to the player furthest forward.

5. When fore checking or back checking, the forward closest to the puck should attack the puck carrier directly.

6. When defending, the forward furthest back from the play should line up with the defenseman and be prepared to pick up the weak side forward.

7. When seeking a line change, always dump the puck deep into the offensive zone.

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OFFENSIVE ZONE GUIDELINES

1. The puck carrier should always attack the net with speed.

2. The second forward into the zone should drive to the net for a pass or rebound or go to the corner to pick up the dump.

3. The third forward into the offensive zone should assume a position high in the slot area to enable him to follow up the play or transition quickly to defense.

4. Always shoot when in the slot. Extra passes result in missed opportunities.

5. When receiving the puck at the blue line, defensemen should move across the line toward the slot for a better shooting angle and to draw the defense out of position.

6. Defenseman should pass or shoot the puck quickly from the point or dump it into the corner.

7. Never pass the puck blindly from behind the net. If you don’t see an open man and are under pressure, shoot the puck at the goalie’s skates.

8. Never have all three forwards behind the net.

9. Always stay in motion to make defending more difficult.

10. Upon scoring a goal, the official celebration is the Antler Dance.

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