Hockey Positioning - Forwards
There are 2 main types of position in Ice Hockey, Forwards and Defencemen. This weeks edition of Coaches Corner will be covering Forwards.
Forwards are the primary attackers in Ice Hockey however they also play a vital role in the defence of our net. Forwards are required to Fore Check the opponents so that they may rush the opposition into losing the puck or into making a poor pass. The forwards are also required to Back Check. Back Checking involves rushing back to assist the Defence when the opposition has control of the puck and are attacking the net. The Forwards form the first defensive point of contact, slowing the attackers down and, sometimes, relieving them of the puck.
There are 3 forward positions
Left Wing
Centre
Right Wing
As a beginner you will be taught that there are 3 main lanes on the ice (see diagram 1). The Left Wing has the left lane, the Centre has the centre lane and the Right Wing has the right lane. The lane you are in, during the game, can vary however. For example a Right wing may find that they are playing the role of the Centre if they have crossed over into the Centre's lane and the Centre has crossed over into the Right Wing's lane.
Diagram 1
While your position is flexible and you are able to move into another lane should circumstance warrant it, it is important to realise that if you move into someone else's lane then they need to move into your lane. Likewise if someone moves into your lane then you need to move into theirs.
Looking at Diagram 2 below you can see how Player 1 is a Left wing who moves into the Centre Lane. As you can see, the Centre (player 2) moves into the Left lane to fill the Left Wing's position. When player 3, the Right Wing, moves into the Centre lane we can see that Player 1, formerly in the Left Wing position, has made a complete transition into the position of the Right Wing.
Diagram 2
Now the weave you can see above doesn't happen too often in a game situation however the 2 person weave occurs frequently so you need to be aware that you need to change lanes if someone moves into your lane.
Forwards in the Offensive Zone
When you are attacking there are certain positions that Forwards tend to migrate into (See Diagram 3). The Centre tends to be found around the net with the Wings located in open ice on either side of the Centre.
It is the aim of the Forwards to position so that there is an open channel between them and the person with the puck and so they also have an open channel between them and the Goal Net. It the puck goes into the right corner then the Right Wing will be the player responsible to get it. The Centre will then position himself on the right hand side of the net, sill in the slot or high slot area.
The Left wing will move into a more central position, perhaps locating them self in the high slot. No matter where the Centre and Left Wing position themselves they will make sure of 3 things
Diagram 3
1. There is an open channel between them and the Right
Wing
2. They are not being shadowed by the opposition
3. They have a good angle on the net and have passing options should
they need them.
Forwards in the Defensive Zone
Forwards play a vital role in defending the net. Diagram 4 below illustrates the normal positioning for a team in their Defensive zone.
The Left Wing ensure that they are positioned near and on the inside of the Point Men (usually the Defensemen) so as to prevent them from taking shots. Defensemen tend to shoot very hard and fast as they need to cover a significant distance. This is why the shot that is used most often by the defensemen is the Slap Shot.As the Defensemen tend to shoot when there are already people in the slot the danger for the defending team is that the puck will deflect off a stick or body part into the net. It is then vitally important that the Wings stay close to their Point men so as to avoid this eventuality.
Diagram 4
The Centre hovers around the high slot area picking up the loose man. As the Defense will be marking their players it is the Centre's responsibility to ensure that the loose man does not get away and have a clean shot on net.