Feature Story
Another look at defensemen (part III )
Let’s Play Hockey Columnist
Over the past two weeks we have discussed
eight concepts that are important to defensemen. This last segment deals with
the final two items.
9. Shooting for best results
Top scoring defensemen seldom carry the
puck up the ice and score. They are more likely getting their points from
passing or from shooting well from the point. The top scoring defensemen in
Most defensemen overshoot the puck and,
in the process, lose accuracy – after missing the net and thus turning the puck
over. This practice also increases the chances of the puck not getting through
– and even bouncing back to create opposition scoring chances.
Some coaches discourage their D’s from
shooting from the point unless there is a wide open lane to the net. Actually,
a wide open lane to the net makes the shot not really worth much. Coaches would
be much better off teaching, then requiring, proper shooting by their D’s.
Proper shooting from the blue line is
pretty simple. Shots should be strategic, timely and accurate.
• Strategic
- This means that just teeing up and shooting the puck is not really a very
good option. If a D is shooting from the top of the circle-in, then the D could
be shooting to directly score. This seldom is the case. Any shots from outside
the top of the circle are not going to go in against a good goaltender unless
deflected, tipped or reshot. So, the idea is to find
areas where deflection or tips might happen or where a teammate can catch a
pass and score (reshot).
• Timely
- This means that the time to shoot is when support for deflections, tipping
and reshooting exist. It may
be that a delay (sliding along the blue line, moving in or
out) are in order so the puck reaches the front of the net at the proper
time.
• Accurate
(and proper speed) - Putting the puck where it should be is the most important
thing. Previously, I said that overshooting decreases accuracy. That can’t be
stressed enough. Good scorers (goals and assists) shoot at many different
speeds depending on the situation. Most times a good 60-70 mph wrist shot will
get to exactly where it needs to be fast enough. High shots are seldom of value
from the outside and could be knocked down easily. Upper bodies take up much
more space than legs, ankles, skates – a “pinball” shot for deflections is best
at the 4- to 8-inch level; the same for shots to be tipped. Passing attempts
for reshots mostly should be on the ice. So shooting
over a foot high is not going to be nearly as productive.
10. Body checking for purpose
It is not necessarily how to bodycheck that is most critical about this topic. It is
more about when and what kind.
My view of bodychecking
is that there should be a reason for it each time. Checking is not for
punishment (most of the time) and it is not to thrill the crowd. Playing the
body is an important part of the game. However, playing the body does not
necessarily mean head-on collisions, over even violent collisions of any kind.
Playing the body (checking) just means that the player with the puck has been
stopped and hopefully the puck popped loose.
It would be ridiculous to have a full
collision check on the puck carrier during a 2-on-1 – as the puck is slid over
to the other forward for a breakaway. It would be equally as ridiculous to have
a head-on collision with an opponent that is 30, 40 or 50 pounds heavier (unless
situation is perfect). In the first case
it would likely cost a goal – in the second, it might cause an injury.
The ultimate goal (good word) in hockey
is to get the puck and score. So if the puck can be collected without too much
physical collision, that is best most of the time.
Does that mean that “rubbing out” someone should be the primary check used by
defensemen? I believe it does – as long as collecting the puck is part of the
“rub-out.” Good D’s move players to the outside (the boards) and rub them out!
The more violent checks should be saved
for advantageous situations. When
opposition player(s):
• Has head down
• Is trapped
• Is smaller (no mercy!)
• Needs to be reined in (taught a lesson)
They also may be appropriate to slow down
a very nifty team or one that does not handle physical play well.
John Russo, Ph.D., is founder and
director of the