You play the middle. Mostly defend, but push forward when you see a chance.
Your partners are the two wing backs. Support them first; you can also help the forwards and center forward.
For where the swing sits in the Seven formation and when to rotate in, see Backs in the 3-3.
Offense
With the puck
- Pass to the forwards or center forward. Pass early.
- After passing to the center forward, stay down until they pass or drive.
- Swim straight or toward either side, but stay in the middle.
- Can’t pass? Swim to become an option.
- Help is in front of you.
- In trouble: send the puck to the inside forward.
- On the wall: send the puck forward and get off the wall.
- You can pass to wing backs — stay down until they’re clear.
Without the puck
- Surface backwards — unless you’re attacking and following the play.
Supporting a teammate
- Forward or center forward behind you: surface backwards.
- Wing back behind you: surface backwards.
- Forward in front of you: trail in the middle, slightly behind the supporting back. Expect the puck.
- center forward in front of you: trail 5–6 feet back. If they charge, run the arrowhead.
Defense
- Own the middle and the opponent’s forward line.
- Let the wings control the wall and funnel play to you.
- Nobody goes down the middle without contact from you.
- Force lateral movement. Don’t let them go straight.
- Puck wall side: cover the inside back if they’re beaten.
- Puck openside: cover the outside back, push the puck to the wall.
- You’re often the second defender and last back — wing backs play aggressive.
- Support wing backs pushing play inside. Take the puck and go when you can.
- Can’t control it? Force lateral to the other back.
- Attack from the middle, not the edges — except in front of your goal (all backs to the corner).
- Don’t collapse to the wall unless a wing back is beaten. Then depth is fine.
- You and a wing back may both be down. Trust them — you don’t need to be first to every scrum.
- Puck behind you (toward your goal): surface backwards toward the center of the goal. Forwards backpick — not you.
Quick reference
- Surface backwards by default.
- Own the middle on defense. Force lateral to the walls when in trouble
- Cover a beaten wing back.
- Pass forward. Don’t take the puck into the corner.