WHEN TO TRAP
Almost every team in the NHL uses a neutral zone trap at some point during the game. What separates one team from another system-wise is how often they use that trap.
DEFEATING THE TRAP
TORTORELLA’S BREAKOUT
The basic idea is that there are times when the opposition has elected not to forecheck and is sitting back in the neutral zone. Instead of trying to dipsy-doodle your way through a trap – which rarely works out – you’re coordinating a controlled breakout with set patterns. This helps to break the trap or at least cause defensive miscues.
BREAKING THROUGH A TIGHT GAP
The area between the blueline and tops of the circles is the most dangerous part of this modernized neutral zone
When the enemy’s defensemen are playing a tight gap, our players should either be dumping the puck in deep, driving to the net, or throwing pucks at the keeper from any angle.
NEUTRAL ZONE COUNTERS
The difference between counters and regroups is that counters are all about speed through the neutral zone, while regroups are more methodical and controlled.
Regroups are kind of like controlled breakout plays in that they are employed after the opposition has already set up their forecheck. In these situations, it’s less about quick transitions and more about pulling apart the opponent’s coverage with different routes and patterns.
Good counter teams want to quickly transition the puck through the neutral zone before the opponent sets up their forecheck. The idea is to create odd man rushes from turnovers.
Counters are fairly straightforward and relatively easy to follow. The most common counters in the NHL are Dump-in/Chip plays, Give and Go plays, and Mid-Seam passes.
With wide rim and weak-side dump-ins the goal is to put the puck behind pressure and into the corner the opposing OFFENSIVE defensemen patrols.
Strong-side dump-ins are usually played off the boards when the opposing d-man has a tight gap.
The idea is to attack the STAY-AT-HOME defensemen who are usually slower and can’t pivot quick enough to retrieve the puck
With the removal of the redline after the ’05 lockout, most teams now have their defensemen playing a tight gap up in the neutral zone, rather than back on their own blueline. While this helps to keep a tight check in the neutral zone, it also opens up some soft ice between the D and their blueline. This area is prime real estate to spring the rush with stretch passes.
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