Centers

Strategy, Tactics, & Habits

D-Zone

Defense First

Always help protect the net. Support all quadrants starting low and working open space in the D-zone.

Swing Low

Cut through the dots with speed and talk to your teammates—this helps because you are supporting everyone moving from defense to offense and gives you open space as a passing target.

Be Smart & Quick

Use your hockey sense to read the play. If there’s a chance to jump and create offense, take it—but never forget: stay between your net and the puck when you're in the defensive zone. Keep your stick in lanes and your feet moving.

*Center in support, above the puck, protecting the house in the low left quadrant, and ready to transition with any 50/50 or free puck

Neutral Zone

Hunt the Stick

On the backcheck, track the closest opponent and go after their stick—chase them all the way back to the front of our net (“protect the house”).

Start Low, Go Fast

Begin regroups low (near the player with the puck) and build up speed. Short passes (like 10 feet) can be the quickest way to attack with numbers and enter the offensive zone fast pushing the defense back.

Stay D-Side

If you’re the third player into a puck battle, make sure you’re between the puck and our net. That’s called being “D-side”—and it keeps us safe. Remember you're the support player, so do not get trapped in the battle. Stay opportunistic and collect the puck for possession when it becomes free.

*Backchecking to the house the center is our 3rd defensemen.

Offensive Zone

Attacking

Be one of the first two in on the forecheck and bring the heat! Keep after the puck. Pressure makes the other team panic—and that’s when we pounce.

Possession

Use low and high cycles to pass the puck, move your feet, and open up space. Cut through the slot to create scoring chances. Don’t stand still—keep the puck and your feet moving!

Net Presence

Drive hard to the back post. Don’t watch—get there! Most goals come from being in the right spot with your stick on the ice, ready to shoot or tip a rebound.

Smart Chaos

There are no fixed spots on offense. F1 and F2 attack and pressure. F3 stays higher, reading the play. We switch and support as the puck moves. It’s organized chaos—and it works when we all stay sharp and connected.

Tactics

Smart routes & following our practiced patterns make you faster on the attack.
Take pride in your D-zone positioning. Do not over commit.
Stay above the puck in the offensive zone. Slow the other team down before they can get going.
Faceoffs matter. Winning the puck gives us possession. Possession builds momentum. Momentum leads to chances.

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