Box + 1 Defensive Zone Concepts
Box + 1 Defensive Zone Concepts The Box + 1 is a common zonal structure that teams use across all levels of hockey. It's simple, versatile, and effective. It's much maligned as a "conservative" approach used by old dinosaur coaches, but let's dissect it and see if that's the case. What is a Box + 1 anyway? The defense is named for the shape its players take up most of the time. They don't need to be exactly in formation, but more often than not, you'll see the defensemen and wingers forming a box and the center sitting in the middle. It's a tried-and-true system that works well for players who prefer to go around their opponents just as much as for players who prefer to go through them, as long as they are willing to be positionally disciplined. Why use a box + 1? 1. Outnumber the opposition in the low areas The offense will almost always keep two players high in the zone. They want to protect against the counterattack, hold the blue line, and be ...