DZ Coverage Basics

A sensible way to defend, from beer league to NHL

Originally published February 2025

Earlier this week I received the following question from a Twitter follower:

Hey Jack!

Just saw your tweet regarding VAN’s zone defense. Wondering what you believe to be the best dzone coverage for a team to play.

I’m getting in to coaching next season and been debating with myself what works best for Jr. B kids.

Thanks!

Yesterday, I was on the ice with an adult recreational team looking to prepare for an upcoming tournament in another province.

Is there a simple, easy to implement defensive zone coverage scheme that could be effective in both of these use cases?

I believe so.

Man-on-Man vs. Zone Defense

Many NHL teams use a Hybrid DZC, featuring a mix of man-on-man and zone principles.

The Hybrid is more fluid than a pure Zone DZC (good news for skilled players looking to make reads rather than always going to the same spot) and less demanding than a pure Man-on-Man DZC (good news for players who are not necessarily in tip-top physical condition, or have trouble turning/stopping to one side).

The Hybrid is also less complicated than it sounds.

Here’s how it works.

Step 1: Return to DZ

Return to DZ refers to the critical transitional period between an entry against and a DZ coverage scenario. It’s the least structured phase of DZ play, as a team could be defending an even-men situation (1v1, 2v2, 3v3, etc.), an odd-men rush, or a dump-in.

Every play is a little bit different, but the players’ roles stay relatively consistent.

Strong-Side D (LD)

• Force opposing puck carrier wide on entry

• Force dump-in if possible

• First on puck in corner battle

Weak-Side D (RD)

• Recover through the middle and stop at the front of the net

• Be aware of plays into the slot

• Be ready to skate under the goal line if LD wins the puck and needs an out

First F back (C)

• Sprint below the goal line as the second quick player, if LD is able to stop the play

• If not, stay above the goal line and scan for slot threats

Second F back (LW)

• Take away the low-to-high pass to the point, which is the easiest play to make for LD’s check

• If the puck does go up, get into the shooting lane

Third F back (RW)

• Recover through the middle and stop in the high slot

• Scan for backside threats, especially if the opposing weak-side D is active offensively

• Be ready to sprint to the opposite half-wall if LD’s check rims the puck to the weak side

Step 2: Corner Stall-Out

The defensive team shifts the odds in its favor by pushing the puck carrier into the wall down low and getting into a Five Tight (5v3 in one quadrant).

• LD & C battle for the puck against one or two opposing Fs

• RD protects netfront or approaches the pile if the third opposing F joins in

• LW and RW stay on the Rail (imaginary lines through the hashmarks) and read the play

Step 3: Low Cycle