Regroups

Regroup: Non-Negotiables

Wingers: sprint to red line near your side of the ice and become the outlet on the wall. Puck position does not matter.

Why? This helps provide structure to the defensemen being pressured. If your teammates know where you are going to be, without having to think about where to find you, our transitions (regroups) are made easier and quicker

Centers: must come back to the puck in support of the defensemen carrying it. This pattern should look very similar to the breakout no matter which regroup play we run.

Why? If another turnover (meaning our opponent steals the puck), we have the numbers to support defensively vs allowing a potential odd-man rush (ex. 3 on 2). And better yet, should we keep the puck, you've built up valuable speed to enter the zone vs waiting on puck.

Defense: is the quarterback, and will feel the most pressure on regroups. First, secure possession. Second, get your head up to scan for options. Only as a last resort would we keep the puck on the near (strong side boards).

Why? In the flow of the game the strong side of the ice will have the biggest risk for turnovers. To run a proper regroup, our main goal is to transition into our attack (zone entry) with possession.

10-Foot Passing: to play fast is not about skating speed alone, its about puck movement.

Why? With awareness, positioning, and communication; a series of 10-foot passes will quickly flip the ice and put our opponents on their heels.

Recovery Quick Up:

High Pressure

Most commonly the defense will have pressure in their face. While our last resort should be to quickly fire the puck back up the boards the way it came from, this will also be the most frequent play we will have to use. However, if our forwards are in the proper position we're still more likely to be playing offense vs chasing on the backcheck.

Defensive Hinge:

Medium Pressure from the Strong Side

In a more structured regroup D2 (middle) should be supporting the puck carrying D1 by retreating and supporting his partner. With 4-quick passes that we practice; D1 to D2, from D2 to Center Swing, then Weak Side Wing (bumper) and back to Centermen, we have created space for our zone entry by moving into our attack from the half ice starting point.

Hinge & Reverse:

Low Pressure or Weak Side High Pressure

With more time (diagram 1 below) or equal pressure from 3 attackers (diagram 2 below) the responsibility of D2 is to read (opponents) and maintain composure while our team to gets into proper position. Much like a quarterback in the pocket, they either push forward with inside position (diagram 1) or pull back and use an escape (diagram 2). In both plays we are looking to attack the center ice and quickly turn our opponents feet the opposite direction, creating space for the zone entry.

Diagram 1: More Time

Diagram 2: Escape Pressure

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