Mids

Midfields (or Mids) are the hybrid players on the team. They are responsible both for generating offense and defense. Depending on the formation, Mids can be the point guards on the teams – the main passers, not scoring a lot of goals but setting up the other players for goals. Mids can also be the first line of defense – the first player an opposing forward runs into once they get the puck. Mids can have both of these jobs at the same time and often do.

Playing Mid requires a player with outstanding fitness and the ability to recover quickly from long trips on the bottom of the pool. They have the worst of both worlds; they are on the bottom constantly like a forward, but they can also take long, extended drops like a back.

It is a standard line in underwater hockey that any player’s best position is Mid – the thought being that you don’t have to excel at goal scoring or goal stopping, just be good at both.

Nothing could be farther from the truth. To be a good Mid, and to play in a formation that requires Mids, you have to be excellent at both the forward and back positions. Mid is the most demanding position in hockey. You have to help your backs on defense, and help your forwards on offense. Many teams will play with one Mid if they have one exceptional player and many good players – to make that exceptional player the focal point of their team.

Backs

Backs are the main defenders of the team. The Backs' job is to stop the opposition from bringing the puck forward and scoring goals. Backs are a defensive position – always between the opposition and the goal, trying to cause maximum disruption for the opposition team.

Backs, though usually not on the bottom as often as the forwards, are on the bottom for much longer. Their job is to not stop fighting on the bottom until their team recovers the puck. A back should not fighting to regain possession of the puck until they’ve passed the puck to one of their own players or another back has come down to relieve them. A back in front of his goal should not come up for air until the puck is away from the goal and out of harm’s way.


Backs should always be behind the puck. Their job is to prevent the puck from moving backwards towards their goal. Even though the Back position is mainly defensive, and they should always be behind the puck, backs can generate a lot of offense, and even score goals. Once a back regains possession of the puck from the other team, their job is to hold onto the puck until another one of their teammates is ready to take possession. This can mean a back might swim the length of the pool until he sees one of his forwards, or even that the back takes the puck and scores if the opportunity presents itself. However, a back’s first priority is stopping the other team’s offense, not scoring, and should readily pass at the first opportunity.

Backs usually don’t have as many subs as the other positions, and that is because they are not responsible for advancing the puck, just stopping it from moving. A good back should be able to drop, regain possession of the puck, and then give it to one of his players.

Since backs usually don’t have the same amount of subs as the other positions, it is vital to be efficient with your drops. Drop only when you need to, but once you drop, swim hard into the play and come out with the puck. Don’t float around on the bottom, waiting for opponent’s forwards to break out of a pack. Swim into the pack, take the puck from the opponent’s forward, and swim out. Don’t waste time on the bottom you will need later. If you can’t get the puck back, at least disrupt what the other team is doing. Even though you’re a defensive position, play your position aggressively. Dictate what the opponent can do, don’t let him dictate what you should do.

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