Chasing the puck

[Dubs 0]

So i am pretty new to playing competitive hockey but I lived in MN my whole life so I know the game. That being said, I usually play right wing. Last night I was put at center all night to fill in for a missing player and honestly it was frustrating. I felt like I was chasing the puck all night with no control of the puck at all. I felt like I was 3 steps behind anything that was happening. I felt like this was a positioning problem. Is there any place to go on the web that might explain better positioning or any advice a center on here can offer. I would really appreciate it

Thanks

[xdcx 0]

I know this feeling very well dude :( And I know it is almost certainly down to positioning. Hopefully some guys will give us some good advice in here from there experience.

[thejackal 46]

you've got a lot more ice to cover, so it's a given. i started playing center last winter (used to be a winger also) and was feeling slow and lost even though it's a lot lower caliber i used to play. when in doubt just shadow the other center and go from there.

[tro 4]

Centre is a tough position because you have to be so in sync with what the other guys are doing, especially with the d-men.

My advice is let your d attack first and look for the open man, a lot of centers turn into puck chasers in the d-zone, pick up the open man and stick with him, seems obvious but so many guys get caught chasing the same guy their dman already has, don't double team, hockey moves to fast to double team.

Another key to being a good center in your own zone, is not leaving the zone to quickly, I almost always try to stick to the rule, if the puck hasn't crossed the blue line, I haven't crossed the blue line. (Unless you see a good chance for a break)

I love being a centre on the offence, because you can roam the zone, go from one side to the other. You are the outlet for your wingers, so you have to be constantly finding open space and supporting the wingers. A good centre should not be standing still waiting for a pass. Watch the best, Gretz, Steve Y, Lemieux, Sakic, Jerome, Sid, they are always moving.

If you are new to the game and new to centre, try to be infront or behind the net, the puck usually ends up there.

Two players on the ice that should be the most vocale, are the goalie and the centre, so talk to your linemates.

[Dubs 0]

Thanks for the advice. Sounds like the guy I was filling in for is out for awhile so I might be playing Center alot more now. The advice makes sense, Ill just have to see if I have the vision to do it.

thanks

[gxc999 7]

I'm a natural center playing inline currently, and what everyone else has said is right. You do have more territory to cover on offense and defense. However, how much you have to do defensively depends on your coach and the system. Since I'm playing roller, I usually find myself picking a defenseman near the top at first but once the play gets down low, I end up in my own slot or near the boards.

Again, depending on your system you could be leading the breakout once your team recovers the puck or waiting for a D-man to make an outlet pass. Obviously, you have the most freedom offensively. When one of your wingers is breaking out, look to get to their side. It's a tremendous advantage to have the right winger come down the left side and you coming in from his right. This really bothers goalies. BTW, try to keep your shifts short.

[Jarick 5]

Really depends on your team. Mine tries to play positional hockey, meaning the wingers watch the guy in their zone above the faceoff dots and on their half of the ice. Defense watches the guys in their area below the faceoff dots and on their half of the ice (and in front of the net). The center watches the extra man in front of the net, provides support along the boards, watches for passes from the boards to the slot if the defender chases the puck, covers the front of the net if the defenders get out of position, etc.

The key is to watch the play and communicate with your teammates. If both defenders are standing in front of the net and someone has the puck down low, tell them to attack, provide support in between, etc. If they aren't playing their positions, of course you'll be chasing the puck a lot more. But make sure you're all on the same page.

Once your team gets possession, your wingers should be moving to breakout position (at the hash marks on the wall ready to accept a pass, or near the faceoff dot on the weak side ready to support the breakout) and you should be moving towards the puck side winger ready to provide support. Ideally the forwards will move the puck out of the zone with speed and with options to make short passes if need be.

[Dubs 0]

Jarick where do you play? I lived in St Paul till like 2 months ago. I lived in Eagan for like 8 years.