Feature Story
Another look at defensemen (part I)
Let’s Play Hockey Columnist
It seems like I have some sort of series for defensemen
every year. Playing this position is
very challenging, so it is appropriate -- plus I've spent more time playing and
coaching this position than any other.
These two columns will deal with quite a few different concepts and
ideas. They are all related because they
have to do with defensemen play.
1. Chasing Mistakes
Hockey is a game of mistakes, especially for D's. Bold moves, passes that
don't work out, shots that hit people are not uncommon. When a player is the last line of defense
before the goaltender, however, good decisions need to follow these "mistakes". Too many players want to correct their
mistakes immediately by jumping (inappropriately) into the problem area. This is almost always a bad decision. The proper action is whatever normal
assessment dictates, not a rash decision to correct. Coaches should watch for this issue early on
and help correct it.
2. Taking Away Space/Ice
For defensemen, taking away space means not retreating to or
through the neutral zone too quickly – while not increasing risks. What kind of statement is that!
Many defensemen give up the offensive zone too quickly when
the risk is really pretty low. If the
opposition is trying to break out using passes to wings and the defensemen have
a high forward (such as on a 2-1 forecheck), it is a
good idea to stay in the zone (while staying in the physical position to
retreat quickly) as long as reasonably possible. This shortens up the space that the
opposition has available to break out.
Proper positioning with the stick and body can also help “discourage” a
pass up that side. The same is true in
the neutral zone. When the opposition is
coming out of their own zone and looking for a (wing) pass, defensemen can
discourage passes by (carefully) shortening the space between themselves and
the wings. These tactics force the
opposition to slow down their attack (carry the puck farther), allows the backcheckers to catch up and be more effective, and makes
defending the blue line easier.
3. Defending At the Blue Line
A simple concept, but not so simple in
practice. Any time defensemen are
not outnumbered, when the opposition attack is approaching the defensive blue
line, they should make a stand at the line and begin forcing the attack to the
outside. Often I see defensemen allowing
3 on 3, or 2 on 2 attacks to easily cross the blue line and proceed all the way
to the top of the circle, at all levels of youth and even college play. Of course a disadvantage situation (2-1, 3-2)
has to be strung out, so bold moves are not appropriate at the blue line. Defensemen must start reading the attack as
it begins at the far end of the ice, continue reading and adjusting as it
passes through the neutral zone and approaches the defensive zone, and be
prepared to stifle it at any advantageous time before it gets to the critical
shooting point (top of circle).
4. Defending Attacks From the
Blue Line In
Again, a really simple concept but often isn’t practiced
well at the youth levels. All it means
is that once the attack gets inside the defensive blue line, defensemen need to
aggressively push the attack toward the outside before it gets to the top of
the circles The
top of the circles is important because that is where the effective scoring
distance generally starts. Defensemen
can’t be in a position, as the attack comes over the blue line, such that they
are backing up to the top of the circles and allowing good shots.
5. Getting a Stick on the Puck
Once an attack gets far enough into the offensive zone and a
shot is inevitable, defensemen need to begin positioning themselves to get a
stick on the shot as close to the shooters stick as possible. We’ve talked about defending the blue line
and pushing the play outside once inside the blue line. The next logical step is “killing” a good
shot with proper stick work.
6. Coverage at the Net
Once the puck is in the defensive zone and shots/passes near
the net are imminent, defensemen (and centers) need to make certain that they
pay attention first to physical coverage.
By that, I mean good positioning on the opposition forward. Too many defensemen are mesmerized by the
puck and fail to properly cover. Even at
the high school level, I see defensemen actually running out to cover points –
or going into the corners leaving the front of the net outmanned. The biggest problem, however, is actual positioning – having an advantageous position (proper
side) and facing the way that maintains that advantage.
7. Backing Up Your Partner
Whenever possible, defensemen need to back up their
partners. I know this seems easy but try
watching a full game or even a period some time – just for this situation. You will see constant risky situations
because partners are not taking a few more strides to be good backup to their
partners. A good example is right after
a cross-pass in the defensive zone. The
passer needs to immediately move back at least slightly behind the partner to
be a back up and make a return cross-pass feasible. Front angled cross-passes in the face of forecheckers is always
dangerous. Another example is around the
net – where the partner without the puck needs to look to support the partner
with the puck as well as provide back up.
Failure to properly back up creates unnecessary 2-1 and breakaway
chances.
John Russo, Ph.D., is founder and
director of the