Neutral zone trap

Neutral zone trap
In this diagram, the red team is executing a neutral zone trap resulting in the blue team dumping the puck.

The neutral zone trap (often referred to as simply the trap) is a defensive strategy used in ice hockey to prevent an opposing team from proceeding through the neutral zone (the area between the blue lines) to force turnovers. The strategy is generally used to level the playing field for teams that are not as offensively talented as their opponents, although the trap can also be used by teams simply looking to protect a lead late in the game.

The most recognizable implementation of the trap sees the defence stationing four of their players in the neutral zone and one forechecker in the offensive zone. As the offensive team starts to move up the ice, the forechecker (generally the centre) will cut off passing lanes to other offensive players by staying in the middle of the ice, forcing the puck carrier to either sideboard. The defensive wingers—typically placed on or near the red line—will be positioned by the boards to challenge the puck carrier, prevent passing, or even keep opponents from moving through. The two defencemen who are positioned on or near the blue lines are the last defence, and must stall the opposition long enough for the wingers to reset themselves and continue the trap.

The trap has been widely criticized for reducing scoring. It has, however, proven to be very effective, especially in the playoffs. During the 2004–05 NHL lockout, serious discussion about opening the game to offence was done by both the NHL and NHL Players Association (NHLPA). Because it is easier to trap when engaging in obstruction and restraining fouls, such as hooking and holding, which slow the progress of faster players who can evade the trapping team, the NHL ordered officials to call every obstruction penalty, regardless of circumstance. The prohibition on two-line passes from behind a team's blue line to the other side of the red line was also lifted. Long passes are one method for breaking out of the trap, as it avoids the need to navigate through defenders in the neutral zone, although it has high rates of turnovers. Defensive minded teams have reverted to a "third man high" system where only two offensive players will commit down low, allowing the third to join the defence and impede progress across the blue line.


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужно сделать НИР?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Trap — A trap is a device or tactic intended to harm, capture, detect, or inconvenience a human or animal intruder, or animal pest or game. Traps may be physical objects, such as cages or snares, or metaphorical concepts. Physical trapsExamples of… …   Wikipedia

  • The Trap — may refer to:* The Trap (television documentary series), a television series by Adam Curtis * The Trap (1913 film), a film starring Lon Chaney * The Trap (1922 film), a film also starring Lon Chaney * The Trap (1959 film), a film by Norman Panama …   Wikipedia

  • Korean Demilitarized Zone — For Panmunjom or Joint Security Area, see Joint Security Area. For the demarcation line in the Yellow Sea, see Northern Limit Line. Korean Demilitarized Zone (Korean: 한반도 비무장지대(韓半島非武裝地帶)) Hanbando Bimujangjidae Korean Peninsula …   Wikipedia

  • List of ice hockey terminology — This is a list of common terminology and slang used in ice hockey along with explanations of their meanings.0 9; 2 man advantage : See Five on three.; 2 on 1 : See Odd man rush; 3 on 2 : See Odd man rush; 500 : 500 (also known as .500) is an even …   Wikipedia

  • Ice hockey rink — Detailed diagram of an ice hockey rink An ice hockey rink is an ice rink that is specifically designed for ice hockey, a team sport. It is rectangular with rounded corners and surrounded by a wall approximately 40 inches (1 m) high called the… …   Wikipedia

  • Ice hockey — sport imagesize=250px caption=Two defencemen and a goaltender guard their goal. The referee s raised arm indicates that he intends to call a penalty. union=International Ice Hockey Federation nickname=Hockey first=March 3, 1875, Victoria Skating… …   Wikipedia

  • History of the National Hockey League (1992–present) — The Columbus Blue Jackets face the St. Louis Blues in 2008. The National Hockey League (NHL) has endured a tumultuous period of history in recent years. It has grown from 22 teams in 1992 to 30 today as the league expanded across the United… …   Wikipedia

  • New Jersey Devils — 2011–12 New Jersey Devils season Conference …   Wikipedia

  • National Hockey League — NHL redirects here. For other uses, see NHL (disambiguation). National Hockey League (NHL) Current season or competition: 2011–12 NHL season The NHL Shield Logo …   Wikipedia

  • Torpedo system — The torpedo system is an ice hockey on ice system, used extensively by the Swedish national hockey team in international competition.cite web|title= THE YEAR IN IDEAS: A TO Z.; The Torpedo|url=http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E0CE4D… …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”