LEVEL I
INDIVIDUAL
DEFENSIVE
TACTICS
TACTICAL
January 2010
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TACTICAL
LEVEL I
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January 2010
LEVEL I
INDIVIDUAL DEFENSIVE TACTICS
When the opposition team has possession of the puck, your team is on defense.
The objective of defensive play is:
To prevent good scoring opportunities by the opposing players and, ultimately, to regain
possession of the puck. Successful defensive play is dependent on the execution of appropriate
tactics which are designed to take away the time and space available to the attacker.
Individual defensive tactics can take away a scoring chance from the offensive team or to delay
them from moving the puck to a better offensive position.
In this section, you will be presented ideas to increase your knowledge of individual tactics to
allow players to improve their execution of skills and team play.
Defending One on One
With an offensive player attacking one on one in open ice, the following tactics could be used to
ensure successful defensive play.
Positioning:
Body Position
Stick Position
The player should have the stick in a position to challenge the puck and take away the passing
options of the puck carrier. The player may also use the stick to force an attacker in a specific
direction. When skating backward, the defender should have the top hand on the stick to increase
the potential checking range and keep the stick in front of the body and not off to the side.
Head and Eye Position
It is important to maintain a head up position in order to make sure of a good reading of the
offensive situation. A defender should always face the play whenever possible. In addition, it is
helpful to vary focus from a narrow range to a wide range. This enables the defender to
concentrate on the puck carrier while, at the same time, maintain an awareness of the developing
play. In terms of the narrow focus, the defender should concentrate on the upper body of the puck
carrier and not the position of the puck.
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TACTICAL
The body should be aligned with the opponent in order to protect the net. When the puck carrier
is attacking from the outside, the defender must take an inside position (i.e. their outside shoulder
lined up with the puck carrier’s inside shoulder). When the opponent is attacking down the middle,
assume a head-on position. Whenever possible, the defender will attempt to force the puck
carrier to the outside away from the middle of the ice and the high percentage scoring area.
LEVEL I
Gap Control
TACTICAL
To be able too pressure the attacker, it is important for the defender to maintain close contact
with the puck carrier. This is done by closing the gap between them. The defender must be able
to adjust speed and position quickly in response to the actions of the attacker. The gap should be
closed as early as possible preferably at the defensive blue line. The defender must also control
the gap laterally making sure they are on the inside and keeping the puck carrier to the outside.
Figure 1: Gap Control
Body Contact
The responsibility of the defensive player closest to the puck carrier is to get close enough to the
puck carrier to make stick and body contact in a legal and meaningful manner. This is done to
separate the opponent from the puck and prevent the opposition from having a good scoring
opportunity.
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LEVEL I
Body Contact
The responsibility of the defensive player closest to the puck carrier is to get close enough to the
puck carrier to make stick and body contact in a legal and meaningful manner. This is done to
separate the opponent from the puck and prevent the opposition from having a good scoring
opportunity.
Defending an Opponent in the Defensive Corner
When an opponent has control of the puck in your defensive zone and is moving from the corner
towards the net, the defender has two options should they pressure the puck carrier or contain
them. The decision must be made on the amount of puck control and vision the puck carrier has.
A simple way to decide is by looking at the puck carriers’ shirt if the defender can see the team
crest on the front then the puck carrier has good control and is facing the play so the defender
should contain the puck carrier by taking an up good Position
If the defender can see the number on the back of the puck carriers shirt then they are not able to
see the play so the defender should pressure by closing the gap and making body contact.
Positioning:
Body Position
The defender should establish good position between the net and the puck while maintaining
skating control. Using an angling technique the defender forces the puck carrier to up the boards
away from the net, thus reducing the puck carrier’s options.
The defender must approach the puck carrier quickly and at a slight angle in order to reduce
space and block the main passing lane. By closing the gap quickly the defender is also in a
position to finish the check. This action is executed by the defender being aware of support
available in front of the net (Figure 2).
Figure 2: Closing the Gap by Pressure
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TACTICAL
Closing the Gap
LEVEL I
Stick Position
The defenders stick blade should be parallel (stick to stick position) with the puck carriers stick.
This reduces the puck carriers passing options
.
Figure 2: Stick to stick Positioning
Body Contact
TACTICAL
As the defender approaches the puck carrier it is important to maintain a balanced stance and
focus on the opponent’s upper body prior to executing a body check to separate the opponent
from the puck.
NOTE: If during the checking approach the opponent passes the puck while the checker is close,
the defender should finish the check and turn away on the defensive side to stay between the
opponent and the net. If, on the other hand, the puck carrier is still quite far away and passes off,
the defender should turn in the direction of the pass, again staying on the defensive side of the
opponent.
Defending Along the Boards
When a puck carrier is facing the boards the defender should close the gap immediately, initiating
contact with the hands, arms and upper body in a balanced position. A pinning technique should
then be used.
Pinning
This tactic is used to momentarily hold the opponent on the boards to gets control of the puck and
gain a better defensive position.
Key Points:
•
Turn the opponent towards the boards by driving your arm and shoulder under your
opponent’s outside arm from the backside.
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January 2010
LEVEL I
•
As the opponent’s body is rotating towards the boards, push with the legs and hips.
•
Place the inside leg between the opponent’s legs.
•
Once against the boards, press in and up to lift the opponents skate blades slightly off
of the ice thus neutralizing the opponent.
•
The defender ties up the opponent’s hands and stick
•
When the puck has been cleared the defender releases the opponent and moves back
into the play quickly
NOTE: It is important to note that intentionally checking an opponent from behind is an infraction.
It is critical that all players are aware of the interpretation of this rule.
Backchecking
It is important for the defender to be aware of the position of the puck and the developing play, as
well as the position of the opponent being marked. This is accomplished by glancing alternately at
the opponent and the puck (Figure 3).
Depending on the actions of the opponent, the tactics of the defender will vary.
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TACTICAL
Figure 3: Pinning
LEVEL I
Man to Man
TACTICAL
The backchecker should be level with and in an inside position (i.e. between the puck and the
opponent), within a stick’s length distance of the opponent. The body can also be used as a
screen to legally impede the opponent from assuming an inside position. (Figure 4).
Figure 4: Backchecking (Head Movement)
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