Ice hockey · Transition · Passing

Regroup in the neutral zone

When the attack stalls, the puck goes back to the defence, the forwards swing back to build speed, and the unit re-attacks through the neutral zone onside.

GCOLDRDLWCRW
Start / 5
Time
15 min
Players
6–20
Age
U13+
Area
Full rink
Equipment
20 pucksfull hockey equipment with neck guard, per player1 goaltender in full gear

Setup

  1. Full equipment for everyone, including a full cage and neck guard. G in full goalie gear in the right net.
  2. A unit of five: LD and RD just outside their own blue line, the three forwards deep in the offensive zone as if their attack has just been stopped.
  3. The coach stands on the far boards near the offensive-zone faceoff circle with the pucks.
  4. Other units wait along the boards at the left end.

How it runs

  1. The coach passes the puck back to LD in the neutral zone.
  2. The forwards turn back on the coach's pass and swing low through the neutral zone: wingers wide, C through the middle.
  3. LD moves it across to RD. That D-to-D pass gives the forwards time to curl back up ice and pick up speed.
  4. RD hits a forward in stride (RW here). The three forwards attack in three lanes; the D follow up to the red line.
  5. The puck carrier crosses the blue line first so the others stay onside, then the unit attacks the net. Shoot only when G is set and has called ready.
  6. Next unit goes from the other side. Keep reps to about 40 seconds and give everyone water and rest between turns.

Coaching points

  • Forwards: turn back as soon as the puck goes back. Standing still at the far blue line kills the regroup.
  • Swing wide and low, then curl with your head up so you can see the D and the passing lane.
  • D: the D-to-D pass is about timing. Hold it for a beat until the forwards are coming.
  • Pass to the forward's stick in front of them, not to their skates. A pass into space they are skating into keeps their speed.
  • Hold your lanes: wide, middle, wide. Three players in one lane are easy to defend.
  • Watch the blue line. Ease up or cut across if the carrier is behind you; offside wastes the whole regroup.

Common mistakes

  • Forwards curl too early and arrive at the D standing still.
  • Both D pass sideways too many times and the forecheckers recover.
  • Wingers drift into the middle and the three lanes collapse.
  • A forward skates over the blue line before the puck and the rush is called offside.

Say it: “Turn back, curl, take it with speed.”

Make it harder

  • Add two backcheckers who start at the red line, so the D must pick the open forward.
  • The coach calls 'stretch' and the far winger must go long for a pass at the far blue line.
  • Finish 3-on-2 against two defenders at the far blue line.

Make it easier

  • No D-to-D pass: LD hits a forward straight away.
  • Walk the forwards' routes once with no puck before the first rep.

Reviewed by the Sportdify coaching team.