4 on 4 - How Many Defensemen and Forwards

[BobbyAwe]

Not sure which forum to post this question on but here goes...

When the teams are playing 4 on 4 does each team normally always try to use 2 defensemen and 2 forwards or is there another strategy where they might use 3 forwards and one defenseman, with one of the forwards maybe hanging back more?

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[Beezeral]

Not sure which forum to post this question on but here goes...

When the teams are playing 4 on 4 does each team normally always try to use 2 defensemen and 2 forwards or is there another strategy where they might use 3 forwards and one defenseman, with one of the forwards maybe hanging back more?

2/2 is the only right way to do it but a team could go 3/1 if they are desperate for a goal

 

[swoopster]

I sure as heck wouldn't want to be the only defenseman out there on a 4 on 4!

 

[Porter Stoutheart]

2-1-1 ... best skater is a rover.

 

[SpringfieldSkins]

Depends on who's in the box.

If you're running with 9 skaters like I am a lot and the person in the box is a defenseman then putting a forward out there to play D makes sense. As long as you know you're position, shouldn't be a big deal.

 

[NateTheGr8]

2 Forwards 2 D

but if you have a defenseman who can skate and move puck well

3 F
1 D

 

[Jisatsu]

I played a lot of 4 on 4 in VA back in the early 00's and what worked best was 2 wings, a defensive minded center and a full time defenseman. It was common in roller hockey to do this back in the 90's as well for 4 on 4. There's a lot of factors to consider, but if you stagger your offense to have to wingers down low and a defensive center roving around the high slot, while your defenseman covers the blue line (if you have a blue line, some 4 on 4 play without a blue line like in roller hockey). The defenseman definitely gets his work out if the center doesn't pull his weight, but when things mesh right, it works great offensively without being too much of a detriment defensively.

If the other team is faster or has a better offense, I'd certainly recommend 2 full time defensemen. The only problem with that is you sort of box yourself in on the breakout and it can be a bit difficult to set up a cycle offensively. The other teams defense just has to rocket the puck to the far boards behind their own net to one of their wingers and they have a solid lead on a break out.

Just things to consider. No matter what you go with, try not to pin yourself too deep offensively, as you don't have the extra player on the ice to help with the back checking/neutral zone duties when the other team is rushing back on your end.

 

[BogsDiamond]

1 skinny, two medium and 1 fat guy.
Best combo ever.

 

[Bedards Dad]

2-1-1 ... best skater is a rover.

That's how we play and are undefeated in our 4on4 league

 

[Creepingjeff]

Close

1 skinny, two medium and 1 fat guy.
Best combo ever.

Two medium?!?! That's crazy talk. Two Fat, one Medium, and 1 Skinny.