How to Make a Hockey Lineup: Step-by-Step Guide for Coaches

A good hockey lineup is more than just names on paper — it’s a strategy that maximizes your team’s strengths, keeps players fresh, and gives you the best chance to win.

Whether you’re coaching a youth team or running a competitive squad, this guide will walk you through how to create effective hockey lines that work for your roster.

Step 1: Understand Your Players

Before you can assign positions, you need to know your players’:

• Strengths and weaknesses (speed, puck handling, shooting)
• Preferred positions (LW, C, RW, LD, RD, G)
• Conditioning level (how much ice time they can handle)
• Chemistry with teammates (who works well together)

Step 2: Build Your Forward Lines

Each line should balance speed, skill, and grit.

• Line 1: Your strongest scoring threat — usually your most skilled players.
• Line 2: Secondary scoring and defensive reliability.
• Line 3: Energy line — physical, hard-working players who can spark momentum.
• Line 4 (optional): Extra depth for tournaments or long games.

Tip: Keep natural left and right-handed shots on their strong sides for better shooting angles.

Step 3: Pair Your Defensemen

Good defensive pairings have contrasting strengths:

• One strong puck mover and one stay-at-home defender
• Balanced left and right-handed shots
• Players who communicate well and cover for each other

Step 4: Assign Your Goalies

Decide your starting and backup goalie in advance, but be ready to adjust for:

• Fatigue in back-to-back games
• Opponent strengths (some goalies handle certain teams better)

Step 5: Plan Special Teams

Don’t forget your power play and penalty kill units.

• Power Play: Skilled puck movers, quick decision-makers, good shooters.
• Penalty Kill: Strong skaters, shot blockers, disciplined positioning.

Step 6: Be Flexible on Game Day

Injuries, penalties, and momentum shifts may require you to:

• Shorten your bench
• Switch line combinations
• Move players to different positions

Step 7: Use a Tool to Organize It All

While paper works, the Hockey Lineup Builder makes it faster and easier to:

• Drag and drop players into positions
• Avoid duplicate assignments
• Save multiple lineups for different games
• Export clean, professional PDFs

Coach Feedback

“Using this method, my players understand their roles better, and our bench runs smoother.”

— Mike T., Peewee Coach

“The lineup builder saved me at least 20 minutes before each game — and the kids love seeing the printed sheet.”

— Karen L., Girls U16 Coach

Build Your Next Lineup Now

✅ Works for all levels of hockey

✅ Saves time and reduces errors

✅ Helps players understand their roles

Build Your First Lineup Online

Related Resources

• Printable Hockey Lineup Sheet Templates — Free, editable forms for game day.
• Custom Hockey Scoresheet Stickers — Save time filling out official sheets.