How to Run a Hockey Defense: Zone Defense

This is the most basic defense (and the easiest for beginning players to understand). It uses the simple concept of assigning a portion of the ice to each player.

Things You'll Need

  • Hockey Bags
  • Hockey Elbow Pads
  • Hockey Gloves
  • Hockey Helmets
  • Hockey Jerseys
  • Hockey Pants
  • Hockey Pucks
  • Hockey Shin Guards
  • Hockey Shoulder Pads
  • Hockey Skates
  • Hockey Sticks
  • Hockey pucks
  • Hockey sticks
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Instructions

    • 1

      Instruct the two defenders that they are responsible for the area from the back of the net forward to the middle of the faceoff circle, and from the boards to center ice.

    • 2

      Instruct the two wings to maintain protection from the blue line back to the middle of the faceoff circle, and from the boards to almost halfway across the rink.

    • 3

      Have the center hold safe the area between the two faceoff circles, overlapping slightly into the wings' zones.

    • 4

      Instruct the defense that when a puck carrier enters a zone, that zone's defender moves toward the puck and engages the offense.