Playing Center - haven't played this position yet

[toddmanley 0]

Need any advice/feedback/input as I've only been playing competitively for the past 8 months.

Last season I played forward and found that I wanted to use my size on defense to mix it up a bit more in the front, but I was responsible for covering the d-men and the point. This season I'm playing on two teams; forward on the same team, but learning to play defenseman on a team in a lower level league. Now I've found that I miss being part of the offensive action even though I like hitting my slappers from time to time.

Is it crazy of me to think that playing center would be a good mix? I'd like to be more involved in the offense but also have a role in playing more active defense. What are some of the basic fundamental skills that makes a center valuable on both ends of the ice?

-Thanks, Todd

[Krev 86]

The center skates more than any other player on the ice. Support your defense in both corners, and try and find yourself on the defensive side of the puck whenever you can in the defensive zone. The offense will come as you play. Being a two-way center is very rewarding, you just need the legs for it.

[toddmanley 0]

I've got the fitness...that's for sure when I compare myself versus some of my teammates on the team where I play D. Come to think of it, the rest of the defensemen were getting pretty vocal at a couple of our centers in our last game because they were dragging and not changing lines.

[Chadd 916]

Talk a lot. You need to communicate with the defenseman to make sure everyone is covered in front of the net. You need to make sure your wingers know what to do on a faceoff. As Krev said, make sure you are always on the defensive side of your man in the defensive zone. In rec leagues, you always want to be able to eliminate the stick of the other guy if the puck gets there.

[Husker 0]

I prefer playing defense(left side) if I have a choice, but one of my teams stuck me at center for the past two months or so. It's definitely a fun position to play as you get to sample a bit of everything during the game, but when shit goes bad it's easy to blame the center.

Like a defense men you need to be able to make a good first pass, then motor up the ice to catch up to the play.

You need to understand the basics of taking a faceoff. When to win it back, left, right, forward, on net, ect. A lot of newer players stare at the ice and wait for the puck to drop, make sure your looking at the refs hand, ready for the puck to drop.

The center is usually the third guy in for both zones, know who you need to either support, or where you need to go to make a play happen. Example: Other team dumps into zone, your D collects has time, you need to recognize this so you don't take yourself out of the play when the puck is eventually turned up the ice.

Watch NHL centers, it's the best way to learn.

[toddmanley 0]

Are there any centers that particularly come to mind? I'd hate to watch somebody who isn't that good at being a 2-way player!

[TeamHonda401 54]

Toews with Chicago is a really good example. Datsyuk and Zetterberg with Detroit, Jordan Staal with Pittsburgh, Ryan Kesler with Vancouver, Brandon Sutter with Carolina, Dubinsky with the Rangers, and Crosby of course.

I could go on and on but that's a solid list to start with.

[chippa13 1844]

Let's be fair, if you want the list to be solid then Patrice Bergeron has to be included.

[TeamHonda401 54]

Let's be fair, if you want the list to be solid then Patrice Bergeron has to be included.

Touche' on that one sir.

Im my defense though, I did say I could go on and on.

[chippa13 1844]

I hear you, but, come on, you did include Brandon Sutter. I had to say something.

[TeamHonda401 54]

I hear you, but, come on, you did include Brandon Sutter. I had to say something.

Fair enough haha

Logan Couture is really impressive at his young age, Martin Hanzal, Mike Richards (when he wants to), John Madden, Ryan O'Reilly, Colin Wilson, Kris Draper (can't believe I forgot him). There's a bunch of others, but I'd say you have a pretty decent list to work from.

[Husker 0]

Also keep in mind NHL teams are extremely good at positioning, and not chasing around the defensive zone.

Men's league teams are notorious for going where ever they want for no rhyme nor reason. If two defense men chase forwards into the corner, pick up someone in front of the net. If a wing decides covering a point or being in position for a breakout pass is boring, slide up a bit and cover that outlet.

[s_franchise 5]

I think one of the most over looked aspects of being a center is your face off's. if you win the majority of them, your team will obviously have the puck a hell of a lot more. Good positioning and reading plays will come with more time playing the position. i used to play wing and I made the move to center three years ago. I've loved it ever since then. I think being defensive/offensive and knowing when to play either way is going to measure how good you are at the position. Like previously said also, the best way to learn is to watch the best

[Powerfibers 8]

Some really good advice up top. Something I have run into though is that some teams play the first forward back plays what traditionally is the center's role as the third d man down low. If nothing else, it brings up the point of making sure you ask your line/teammates what they expect.

[skyscrape 5]

You guys are forgetting one of the best grinding centers still playing. Brooks Laich!

[BoDangles 0]

The center skates more than any other player on the ice. Support your defense in both corners, and try and find yourself on the defensive side of the puck whenever you can in the defensive zone. The offense will come as you play. Being a two-way center is very rewarding, you just need the legs for it.

This needs to be talked about more to young kids and anyone in general looking to switch to center. I hear a lot of coaches telling young centers to follow the puck, when that is way to general.

95% of your play as a center is on the defensive side of the puck. I use to always try and look around, even in the offensive zone, that I have a quick route to get back easily and help out or offer support along the boards.

The legs will come with time, just keep your feet moving. I know we all hear it a lot, but it is even more important to remember as a center.

[Chadd 916]

Some really good advice up top. Something I have run into though is that some teams play the first forward back plays what traditionally is the center's role as the third d man down low. If nothing else, it brings up the point of making sure you ask your line/teammates what they expect.

that type of system makes the most sense to me, and our guys are finally starting to get comfortable with it. Most coaches talk about F1, F2 and F3, not center right and left wing.

[wrangler 157]

that type of system makes the most sense to me, and our guys are finally starting to get comfortable with it. Most coaches talk about F1, F2 and F3, not center right and left wing.

I'm not familiar with the terms. Do I match them in order, or do they refer to the order in which the forwards return to the defensive zone?

[Chadd 916]

they are used to emphasize the fact that your original position isn't important. You could be f1 on the forecheck and f3 or f2 when you get back into the defensive zone. It will also change every trip up the ice. Every forward has to understand the offensive and defensive schemes for it to work well.

[wrangler 157]

they are used to emphasize the fact that your original position isn't important. You could be f1 on the forecheck and f3 or f2 when you get back into the defensive zone. It will also change every trip up the ice. Every forward has to understand the offensive and defensive schemes for it to work well.

So how do I know which one I am? Does it vary depending on the positions of the ten skaters, and the only way to know is to have the playbook memorized?

[IniNew 53]

So how do I know which one I am? Does it vary depending on the positions of the ten skaters, and the only way to know is to have the playbook memorized?

If you are the first forward into the zone you are "F1", the second "F2", and the third "F3". Based on which of those you fall under changes your responsibility. For instance, if you are F1 in the defensive zone, your responsibility becomes that of the stereotypical center. You cover the slot/net as a center would. If you are one of the other two you cover the wing in order of threat, so F2 covers the point closest to the puck while F3 picks up the point that's away from the play.

[wrangler 157]

Thanks, that's what I was asking.

If you are the first forward into the zone you are "F1", the second "F2", and the third "F3". Based on which of those you fall under changes your responsibility. For instance, if you are F1 in the defensive zone, your responsibility becomes that of the stereotypical center. You cover the slot/net as a center would. If you are one of the other two you cover the wing in order of threat, so F2 covers the point closest to the puck while F3 picks up the point that's away from the play.

Thanks, that's what I was looking for.

[tareatingrat 4]

This is coming from a guy who never played organized hockey as a kid, so your mileage may vary:

I like playing center because you can skate all over the place and it looks like you're doing your job :D. Also, my natural tendency, due to not playing as a kid, is to watch and chase the puck too much. As a center, it won't hurt your team as much if you do ;).

Offensively, I personally try to support my wingers and the puck on the strong side as much as possible. I'll usually be the guy behind the net, but I also don't mind mixing it up in front of the goalie. All depends on what my wingers are doing. Technically, you should be trying to dish the puck more as a center, but it's really going to depend on what your teammates are like.

It obviously helps being fast. It all depends on what your team likes to do, but I personally like to give it to a winger and have them enter the zone while I hightail it to the net, usually skirting around their D. My winger will either shoot or make a flip/sauce pass to me and it usually creates an opportunity. But you've gotta be fast enough to make the pass to the winger and then drive hard at the net, because the winger generally won't have much time/space to get the puck back to you.

Defensively, I skate like hell to forecheck and backcheck. Always pick up the third man back and don't get mesmerized by the puck. I try to cover the middle when necessary and help out my D in the corners. Breaking out, I try to chip it up the boards when I get the puck or stay relatively deep to give my D an option.

Honestly, though, if you're not a high-level player or someone who plays on a team that is great positionally, your role as center will be really, really fluid. Half the time I look up and somebody else is playing my position (I play on a pretty low-level team). Be prepared to "wing" it, so to speak.

[bekster 0]

Since it was said "watch NHL centers to learn",

does anybody know where i could find some video material that shows just one player, center in this case, in specific game situations?

I mean like something where just crosby (or any other of the talked about centers) is filmed for one shift of a regular game?

[technophile 0]

Since it was said "watch NHL centers to learn",

does anybody know where i could find some video material that shows just one player, center in this case, in specific game situations?

I mean like something where just crosby (or any other of the talked about centers) is filmed for one shift of a regular game?

I have no idea if they still do, but NBC used to do an online iso-cam thing during games where anytime specific players were on the ice, they would follow that player full-time.

A quick google for "hockey iso cam" turned up a number of historic links that may or may not still work.