1-3-1 Neutral-Zone Structure

Objective: The 1-3-1 through the middle of the ice: one steerer, three across choking the red line, one sweeper cleaning up everything behind. Setup: F1 high, a line of three (F2 — D1 — F3) across the middle, D2 deep as the sweeper. Opponents regroup and attack 5-man. Execution: F1 angles the carrier to one wall and shadows the D-to-D so the ice can't be flipped. The strong-side winger of the three steps up to seal the wall the moment the puck is steered; D1 holds the middle, weak-side winger sags into the seam. D2 sweeps behind the line — he takes every chip, every dump, every stretch man, first touch going north. Coaching points: Use it when: you want the puck back in the middle third without selling out. What beats it: a fast D-to-D BEFORE F1 sets his angle — so F1's first three strides set the whole system. Give the wall, never the middle — every stick is in an inside lane. The line of three steps up together on the trigger; one player holding hands with the blue line breaks the trap.