U14 - Neutral Zone Transitions

Former NHLer, Jared Boll, demonstrates the Defensive Transition Passing Progression with the Battery Hockey Academy. This progression is a great warm-up drill and allows defenceman (and forwards) to dial in muscle memory for skating backward with the puck, performing escapes and transitioning with the puck. This series can be set up in very tight areas (the size of a circle, 1/6 ice, 1/4 ice, etc) or can be set up in larger half-ice setups.

Setup:

• Progression # 1: Backward skating passing transition. A great warm-up to get the hands and feet going while skating backward.
• Progression # 2: Escape passing transition. A series that helps players work on escaping while they are skating backward. 
• Progression # 3: Head up ice transition. Helps players practice transitioning up ice while facing the puck.

Coaching Points:

• Practice keeping your head up.
• Provide the passer a good target. Let them know where you want the puck.
• Face the puck.

Variations:

• Can be set up in very tight areas (the size of a circle, 1/6 ice, 1/4 ice, etc) or can be set up in larger half-ice setups.
• The static passing player can be moving around so the defenseman has to hit a moving target. 
• You can add various obstacles or practice different escapes / fakes.

One of the hard things to explain to youth hockey players is the importance of timing.  In the neutral zone timing is everything but most forwards are in such a rush,they don't give themselves the best opportunity to receive a pass from their own defense.  In this drill, the focus of F1 is to time their break across center ice so that they are in a good position to receive a pass from D1 at full speed.  The drill starts by D1 skating forwards to about 10 feet of the boards and then turning backwards to receive a pass from D2.  Once D1 receives the pass they keep their feet moving and transition forwards while moving to the middle of the ice.  D1 needs to keep their feet moving and head up.  D1 then makes a pass to F1 who is skating full speed though center ice.  F1 takes the puck wide and drives into the zone, again keeping their feet moving the entire time. F2 starts at the same time as F1 but curls back to the boards (make sure they face the puck the entire time) and then sprints to near post for a rebound or pass from F1.

The Double Regroup 2 on 1 is a drill that helps players practice the transition and timing of a regroup before fishing with a 2 on 1. This can also progress to allow the players to use their trailing defenseman so it is a 3 on 1 or you can set it up to be a Double Regroup 3 on 2.

Setup

• Split up your forwards and defenceman and have them break up evenly into two groups at opposite blue lines (as shown in the diagram).
• On the whistle, 2 forwards and 2 defencemen leave the blueline. One defenceman skates backward and the other will trail the group to be ready for a regroup.
• The forwards regroup 2 times before fishing the drill with a 2 on 1. 
• The second group on the opposite blue line begins on the coach's whistle or after the 2 on 1 passes them. 
• This drill is continuous. Coaches should run this on both sides of the ice and also allow defencemen & forwards to get reps at both positions.

Coaching Points

• Forwards:
  • Keep your stick on the ice to give your teammates a passing target.
  • DO NOT stare at the puck. When you are regrouping, practice looking up ice first before you receive a pass back. Practicing the habit of keeping your head up and looking up ice before you get a pass will be extremely beneficial during games because during a game a defenseman could easily step up on you in the neutral zone.
  • Practice appropriate timing & support during the regroup. Do not skate too far ahead so it is hard for your teammates to pass it to you and do not be on top of teammates so it is easy for the defenseman to defend you.
• Defenseman:
  • Keep your sticks on the ice to be ready for a pass and to block passing lanes when you do not have the puck.
  • Work to stay in the middle of the forwards you are defending against.
  • Work to keep proper gap during the regroups and when you are defending against the forwards.

Variations

• Can progress this to be a 3 on 1 or 3 on 2.
• Can regroup 3 times instead of 2 times (View Topher Scott's 3 Regroup 3 vs 2 drill).
• For higher skilled groups, coaches can require a certain number of passes during the regroups.
• Can allow forwards and defencemen to switch positions to get reps at both sides.

This drill simulates a good neutral zone play for 5 on 5 and 5 on 4 situations.  The  drill starts when D1 skates backwards to the middle of the ice and receives a pass from D2.  At the same time F1 skates to the far blue line, stops, then regroups back to the red line and times their break to receive a pass from F2 while they are skating full speed into the zone.  D1 transitions with the puck and makes a hard pass to F2 who has found space near center ice.   F2 makes a one-time pass to F1 who is flying down the wing into the zone.  F1 takes a shot from the slot and continues into the corner to get a puck and make a pass to D1 who is following the play into the zone.  D1 then takes another shot from the high slot.  F1 then goes to the end of the line where F2 started and F2 goes to the end of F1's line after making the pass to F1.

Drill can run both ways at the same time. Players must scan the ice constantly to ensure they avoid collisions. 

The drill starts with F1s at opposite sides of the blue lines passing to their strong side D. Once the puck is received, D passes to the other D. The initial forward (F1) swings, following pass while the other forward (F2) posts up as strong side winger as the puck transitions to the other D. D makes pass to F2 and from there F1 & F2 attack 2v1 against the X. 

The X is a forward from the rep before that stays to play defense, trying to shut down the 2v1. 

Go 5-6 reps before switching out players into different roles. 

The Neutral Zone 3 vs. 3 Game is a great small area game that creates a lot of turnovers and transitions, which is common for the neutral zone. To be successful, teams will need to play with their head up, keep their sticks on the ice and communicate with their teammates.

Game Setup

• Teams line up in opposite corners of the neutral zone (as pictured in the video and diagram).
• Each team has a coach (or player) that is on their team and is lined up on the same blue line as them.
  • Each coach (or player) needs to be aware of the game and they are required to pass their team the puck if the puck goes out of play, a goal is scored, a goalie makes a save, or the puck goes past the blue line on their end. Players can intentionally pass the puck out of their end to create a "breakout" situation where the coach will pass their team a new puck (you can see this example in the video if you watch closely).
• If the puck goes past the blue line it is out of play.
• Each team battles to score.
• The shift length should be anywhere from 15 - 45 seconds long.

Coaching Points

• Head up: Everyone with and without the puck needs to keep their head up and on a swivel. It is important to know where the puck is, where your teammates are and where the opposition is.
• Stick on the ice: This is important for the forwards (because it shows your teammate where you want the puck) and for the defense (it allows you to angle and cut off passing lanes).
• Communicate: There will be lots of new pucks and transitions so it is important to communicate with your teammates and coaches (or players) who are passing the new pucks.
• Move to space: Forwards should jump to open space and become an outlet for their teammate if they do not have the puck. 

Variations:

• You can play this game in a 2v2 or 3v3 setup.
• You can allow players to pass the puck to their coach. This variation was not shown in the video.