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Intermediate - Rink Diagram
(Click on parts of the Rink below to learn more about that area)
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Skill: Intermediate Rink knowledge
Purpose: Describe the layout and use of the rink for Strategy and Team play.
Weak/Strong Side - Sides are from the perspective of the puck.
Weak Side refers to the side of the rink furthest from the puck
Strong Side refers to the side of the rink the puck is on
Shots on a goalie from the side will also be termed weak side/strong side
Quiet Zone - These are the 4 corners of the rink below the red line. They can be used to set up plays or draw your opponents defense away from the center Low slot area.
Secret Zone - This is the area behind the goalie nets below the red line. These areas can be used to create time to set up plays and scoring opportunities. It is very difficult for the goalie to keep track of the puck when it is behind the net.
Points - These are the positions of the defensemen when attacking in the offensive zone. The strong side defenseman is along the boards somewhere between the top of the face-off circle and the Blue line in an offensive mode to provide an outlet by a wing in the quiet zone. The weak side defenseman is in the high slot in an offensive mode to receive a pass from either the forward or defenseman. Either of the defensemen should be able to shoot on goal from the top of the circles.
In defensive mode the points should act as an umbrella of cover, preventing the opponent from breaking out of his defensive zone.
Slots - This is the area in the Offensive or Defensive Zone between the Face-Off Circles
High SLOT - This is the area between the Face-Off Circles that is closest to the Blue Line. The weak side defenseman will hide out here.
Low SLOT - This is the area between the Face-Off Circles that is closest to the Goal. The Center will roam this area to provide support to the wings and to take advantage of scoring opportunities.
Backdoor - This is the weak side of the goal when a goalie has been pulled to the strong side. This is the easiest shot on goal to make but difficult to set up. Control of the puck and timing are necessary to pull the goalie and defensemen to the strong side while a wing sneaks to the weak side of the net readying for that last pass to put the puck in the goal quickly.
Forechecking - Preventing your opponent from exiting their defensive zone when they have the puck
Backchecking - Preventing your opponent from entering your defensive zone when they have the puck
Breakout - This is the change of play by a team from defense to offense in their defensive zone.
Standard Breakout - Defenseman gets control of the puck below the goalie red line. The defenseman moves the puck to the quiet zone on the side of the rink that will be most advantageous to breakout out of the defensive zone (hopefully the side with the least amount of opponents). The strong side wing will swing around the defensive zone face-off circle from the slot heading toward the boards. The defenseman bank passes the puck to the winger who is skating toward the blue line to breakout. The puck should reach the wing as the wing is reaching the boards. Winger continues out of the defensive zone with the puck looking weak side for the opposite open wing. Defenseman follows the wing to provide support.
Dual Breakout - Same breakout as above. Additionally the Center will head toward the blue line as the wing is receiving the pass on the board. The wing then immediately passes to the open Center near the blue line. Center continues out of the defensive zone with the puck looking weak side for the opposite open wing. Strong side wing advances out of the defensive zone to provide support and become the next weak side pass.
Quick Breakout - This breakout occurs in the neutral zone or near the blue line of the defensive zone. Use this breakout to quickly get the puck heading toward the offensive zone. Defensemen work together to get control of the puck. One gets the puck while the other sets up to receive a pass to provide an outlet for the defenseman with the puck. Wings and Center scramble to get into open positions creating good passing lanes. Defenseman gets to the puck, if the best position of attack is on his side of the rink the puck is moved up the rink. If the best position of attack is on the opposite side of the rink a quick D to D pass is made and the puck is advanced up the opposite side. Be very careful with these D to D passes as the the defensemen are usually the last men back and interceptions of the pass can be grave.