NEUTRAL ZONE ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Role Of Centre In NZ:
On offense, the center usually skates quickly through the neutral zone and tries to gain the offensive zone. They should look to pass if their teammates are ahead of them. The general rule is that a player takes a couple of steps and then moves the puck ahead (“headman the puck”). Don’t go offside by skating over the blue line before the puck enters the zone.
On defense, cover the middle portion of the ice and try to force the puck carrier to the outside and toward the boards. They should keep the opposing center in their sights at all times.
Role Of Winger In NZ:
On offense, the wings should skate through the neutral zone to gain the offensive zone. They should stay on their own side of the ice. They should look to pass if their teammates are ahead of them. The rule is: two steps and headman the puck. Don’t go offside by skating over the blue line before the puck enters the zone.
On defense, both wings should cover their side of the ice. Try to stay between the opponent and the puck. If the puck is turned over at the opposing blue line, wingers need to back check hard and cover their side of the ice.
Role Of Defensemen In NZ:
On offense, D need to support their teammates by playing their position and looking for back passes to initiate a neutral zone re-group (see 5.4 below).
The weak side defenseman can jump into the forward rush… but they need to be careful not to get ahead of play. D must always be able to get back on a turnover.
On defense, each defenseman plays their side of the ice, again trying to keep opponents and the puck in front of them at all times.
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