Reply To: DZC

The terminology may change, but there are essential coverage responsibilities in the D-Zone that won't. In my limited knowledge you will always have to protect the high scoring area, that being from the posts to the dots to above the circles. The Flames used to refer to that part of the ice as "The House". The present day Flyers call it 'Home Plate". In any event, you need puck pressure, net coverage and slot coverage to do so. Where the other players are and where they are about to go has much to do with your Defensive alignment. When any of the down low D-Zone players gets pulled out of the scoring area, you may want to devise some sort of rotation to reoccupy that space. I think that good Defensive Zone Coverage is displayed by teams that read well and anticipate – after all, you do need to break out when the puck is regained – and that is what makes Hockey so great, the ongoing transitions. I would strongly suggest that you read Hockey Coaching ABC's by Tom Molly & Jusso Wahlsten. Listening to commentators on TV or reading manuals published by USA Hockey and Hockey Canada may leave you still searching for direction. . .