Each side pays six men at a time (unless someone has been put in the penalty box) and a roster can include as many as 18 players. Substitutions are made while the play is in progress. The positions are goalie, left and right defense, left and right wings.

Defensemen:
These players try to stop the incoming play at their own blue line.  They try to break up passes, block shots, cover opposing forwards and clear the puck from in front of their own goal.  Offensively, they get the puck to their forwards and follow the play into the attacking zone to maintain offensive momentum, positioning themselves just inside their opponent's blue line at the ``points".

Goaltender:
By any method he can employ, the goalie's chief job is to keep the opposition from putting the puck into his own net.  Offensively, he may start his team down the ice with a pass, but seldom does he leave the net he guards to take part in any thrusts at the enemy goal.

Wings:
Moving up and down the sides of the ice with the direction of the play, the wings team with the center on the attack to set up shots on goal.  Defensively, they attempt to break up plays by their counterparts and upset their shot attempts.

Center:
The middle of the ice from end to end is his primary territory, leading the attack by carrying the puck on offense. He exchanges passes with his wings to steer the play toward the opposing goal.  On defense he tries to disrupt a play before it gets on his team's side of the ice and continues to harass their play in the neutral zone and defending zone.