The Right Time for the D-to-D: Smart Passing in Your Own Zone

Kevin Geist
Oct 28
3 min read

Making the right decision in your own zone is one of the most important aspects

of playing solid team hockey. For defensemen, one of the most common choices you’ll face is whether—or when—to pass the puck to your D-partner. A well-timed D-to-D pass can relieve pressure, start a breakout, or create a better angle for transition. But a poor one can lead to a turnover and scoring chance against. Understanding when to make that pass is key to becoming a reliable and confident defenseman.

1. When Pressure Is Coming from Your Side

If a forechecker is bearing down on you hard and you don’t have a clean outlet up the wall, moving the puck to your partner quickly and accurately is the safest play. The D-to-D pass lets your partner skate into open ice, change the point of attack, and find a better lane for a breakout. Always communicate—yell “wheel,” “reverse,” or “D-to-D” so your partner knows what’s coming.

2. When You Need to Change the Side of Attack

Even if you have time, sometimes the offensive pressure has overloaded one side of the ice. By passing to your D-partner, you “change sides” and force the forecheckers to adjust, opening up new passing lanes. This is especially effective after recovering a dump-in or winning a puck battle in the corner. A clean D-to-D pass can stretch the forecheck and create instant transition offense.

3. When Your Partner Is in Motion and in a Better Position

You should only pass D-to-D if your partner is in position to receive it cleanly. If they’re skating up ice with speed and open ice in front of them, that’s a great opportunity to move the puck early and allow them to carry the play forward. But if they’re standing still behind the net or under pressure themselves, it’s often smarter to hold the puck, skate it, or chip it to space instead.

4. On Breakout Patterns

Most teams use structured breakouts that include a D-to-D option—like “wheel D-to-D,” “reverse,” or “over.” These are rehearsed for a reason. When your first read (the winger up the wall) isn’t open, executing a quick, crisp pass to your partner within the designed system keeps the play predictable for your teammates and helps the breakout stay organized.

5. When You’re Behind the Net Resetting

If you’re regrouping behind the net and don’t like what you see up ice, a simple D-to-D pass can help reset the play. This forces the forecheck to shift sides and gives your forwards a chance to swing through the zone again for a cleaner exit. The key is patience—don’t force a pass just to move it. Wait until your partner is in position and the timing feels right.

6. When Not to Pass D-to-D

There are also moments when a D-to-D pass is risky:

If the forecheck has sealed off the middle of the ice.
If your partner is stationary and facing the wrong way.
If you’re under heavy pressure and can’t make a clean pass.
If your goalie communication isn’t clear on a reverse or behind-the-net play.

In these situations, it’s better to rim it around, chip it off the glass, or eat the puck momentarily than to make a blind pass through the middle.

Final Thoughts

The best defensemen know that D-to-D passing is about timing, awareness, and trust. When executed correctly, it’s one of the most effective ways to control play and break the puck out cleanly. But like all good decisions in hockey, it starts with your head up, scanning the ice, communicating with your partner, and reading the forecheck before the puck even arrives.

Smart D-to-D passes keep you out of trouble and keep your team in control.