Tips for Defensemen

By Mark Tabrum, USA Hockey Director of Coaching
Dan Brennan, USA Hockey InLine Coordinator Coaching & Player Skill Development
Illustrations by Mike Curti

Objectives of Defensive Play

Follow these tips to improve your defensive skills.

KEEP YOUR HEAD ON A SWIVEL'
Don't get caught puck watching. Know what's'going on around you. Make sure you'know not only where the puck is'but also where the other players'are on the ice.

'IDENTIFY AND'COMMUNICATE'
Know who you're covering and'make sure you communicate that to'your teammates.

'GAP CONTROL'
Try to limit the time and space a puck carrier'has by maintaining a distance of one'stick length from him or her.

'HEELS TO THE NET'
Maintain proper defensive positioning. Always approach the opponent from the'inside out. Keep your heels pointed toward the net. Being in the proper position will'allow you to cut off potential passing lanes and force a turnover.'

Hit and Pin
By taking the proper angle you can contain your opponent. Once you angle the puck carrier out of the play, pin him or her against the boards, position your stick under your opponent's to create a turnover and allow a teammate to gain possession of the puck.

STAY BETWEEN YOUR OPPONENT AND THE NET
Once you identify who you are covering, create a wall between your opponent and your goal.

CONTAIN THE PLAYER WITH THE PUCK
Don't chase your opponent; contain him or her. Take the proper angle and use your body and stick to steer your opponent where you want him or her to go.

MOVE YOUR FEET AND DON'T REACH
Keep your feet moving and maintain the same speed as your opponent. Play the body and not the puck.

GOOD DEFENSE LEADS TO OFFENSE
By following these individual tips you can minimize your opponent's scoring opportunities and help to regain possession of the puck to get your team back on offense.

BEGINNER: PIVOT DRILL
Divide the players up into two lines. The forwards are along the boards atthe red line, the defensemen five feetaway from the boards at the blue line.On the whistle the forward skateshard down the boards. The defensemanskates backwards, trying to keeppace with the forward. Once the forwardis even with the defenseman hepivots and angles the forward towardthe boards. The next pair starts whenthe first group finishes up in the corner.The players rotate sides and positionsso everyone plays offense anddefense. Try this drill with and without the puck.

INTERMEDIATE: 1-ON-1 DRILL
In the corner place the forwards against the boards andthe defensemen near the side of the goal. On the whistlethe forward skates out up the boards and receives a passfrom the defenseman. The forward skates out around apylon near the blue line. After making the pass, thedefenseman skates out around a pylon at the top of theface-off circle and pivots backwards and plays the forwardcoming in for a shot on goal. This drill is designed to helpdefenseman with gap control and angling of puck carrier.This drill is designed to help defensemen with gap controland angling the puck carrier.

ADVANCED: 1-ON-1 DRILL Place two players behind the net spread out 15-feet apart. Have a goaltender in net. Position aforward and a defensemen in the slot ten feetout from the crease. The two players behind thenet pass back and forth to each other while thetwo players in front battle for position. On thewhistle the players behind the net try to pass to theforward in front for a scoring chance. The defensemenin front tries to take away the scoring chanceby tying the forward up and maintaining defensivepositioning. Rotate the players every few minutesso everyone tries each position.