Basic Neutral Zone Regroup Options
The ability for a team to properly execute a neutral zone regroup can mean the difference between generating a scoring opportunity and giving up a scoring opportunity. In this video, we cover four basic neutral zone regroup tactics to help your team transition from the neutral zone to the offensive zone.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J1jymsyBzQE
View the Drill Page for these Neutral Zone Regroup Options
Option #1: Post Up – Wings post up just inside the blue line along the wall for quick outlet options. Center curls strong-side for a secondary pass. This is a good option for less experienced teams, or teams with defensemen who don’t have strong puck-movement skills and ice vision.
Option #2: Double Curl – The strong-side wing curls to the middle of the ice while the center curls toward the strong-side wall. The weak-side winger can post up for a tertiary outlet option. This option creates more offensive movement through the neutral zone, so defensemen need to have solid passing abilities, as they’re attempting to hit a cutting player instead of one at a stand-still.
Option #3: Weak-Side Stretch – The strong-side wing posts-up, center curls strong-side. The weak-side wing starts up ice, then cuts back across the far blue line looking for a stretch pass outlet. This option requires defensemen with strong ice vision and passing abilities.
Option #4: Strong-Side Stretch – The weak-side wing posts-up, center curls strong-side. The strong-side wing starts up ice, then cuts back across the far blue line looking for a stretch pass outlet. This option requires defensemen with strong ice vision and passing abilities.
