F1 is the puck carrier who is first in the zone. His role is to carry the puck into the zone and buy a little time for teammates to enter to set up play options.
If F1 goes straight to the net and shoots, it’s considered an “unsupported” shot, meaning that our teammates can’t get there in time to support the shot with a rebound or a passing option. Most of the time, a single person driving to the net causes a turnover, because the goalie has no distractions to worry about.
So we want F1 to enter the zone on the outside closer to the boards, and then turn towards the net.
F2 is the closest forward to the puck carrier – when F1 enters the zone, F2 should go as quickly as he can to the front of the net on the opposite post to F1. F2 should be in a great position to one time a pass into the net. F2 should be prepared to do a high speed stop in front of their net.
F3 is the 3rd forward; no matter where he enters the OZ, he should move to the high slot to be a passing option or be able to jump on rebounds. If there is a turnover, F3 will be in a better place to backcheck and play defense as well.
As the puck moves around in the zone, the forward farthest from the puck should rotate into the high slot. Forward positioning should always form a triangle, with one vertex in the high slot. If coaches don’t see someone in this position, you’ll hear them yell, “High!”
If you see two forwards close to the puck than you are, you should probably be the one moving to the high slot!