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Neutral Zone Regroup: Quick Up

The fastest regroup option — D retrieves, and the puck goes up the wall to a forward already turned up ice.

D1D2F1F2F3NZR QUICK UP
Red = our team (regrouping out of the left end, attacking right) / Solid line = skating route / Dashed line = pass / Black dot = puck

The quick up is the first look on every regroup. The D has the puck below the blue line with time, and the strong-side forward is already turning up the boards. Before the pressure arrives, the puck goes up to him and the play is going the other way.

Reading the diagram: the puck is on D1 just inside our blue line. F1 curls out of the middle of the ice and comes back toward the puck, then turns up so he is moving forward when he receives it — never standing still against the wall. F2 is already high, stretching the far side of the red line so the opponent cannot collapse on the wall. F3 is low and wide, giving two more options: the diagonal into the middle lane or the straight-line route up his own wall.

The whole point is time. The quick up only works if the puck moves before the forecheck reloads, and it only works if the receiver is skating. A quick up to a stopped forward is a turnover at our blue line.

What to look for

  • Move the puck on the first look — the quick up dies if the D holds it
  • The receiving forward must be turned up ice and moving before the pass arrives
  • F2 stretches high to hold the opponent's D back and open the wall
  • F3 gives a second lane if the first wall is covered

Coaching cues

  • Puck up before pressure
  • Receive it moving, not standing
  • Stretch high to open the wall
  • Head up on the catch — the middle is often open

Common mistakes

  • Forward stops on the wall and gets pinned
  • D skates into pressure instead of releasing the puck
  • All three forwards on the same side of the ice
  • Pass into the receiver's feet instead of ahead of him
Keep going

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