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A Good Defenseman is worth her
weight in gold!
Playing defense is a highly responsible position and defensemen
must be very intelligent individuals as their number one job
is to prevent goals, not score them. Any defensive error
they make could result in a goal against. To help you avoid
these errors here are a number of basic tips to help you prevent
goals against your team and to play your position correctly.
The very first thing a defenseman must do is to analyze the on
coming rush.
Is it a 1 on 1 situation, or a 2 or 3 on 1 situation, are the
wings covered or open? Depending on how you read the rush, you
react differently.
If it’s a 1 on 1, (the puck carrier against you) you play the
man, don’t even look at the puck, just play the man by staying
in front of him and prevent him from getting around you or
getting to the net for a shot. If you create a loose puck your
backcheckers or you can go for it.
If it’s a 2 or 3 on 1, (2 or 3 opposing players against you) you
play the puck, don’t even think of bodychecking as you will only
take yourself out of the play and allow them to get to the net.
Stay in the middle between the players and use your stick to
deflect any across ice passes. Your goalie should always play
the puck carrier. Your job is to try to force her to a bad
shooting angle, outside the slot area ,while retaining your
position between the opposing players.
Net coverage- in your defensive zone the opposing player in
front of your net must be covered at all times. Control his
stick and don’t let him get to any rebounds. She is the one most
likely to score not the player in the corner with the puck. Your
defense partner should go in the corner to check the puck
carrier. If she is late arriving play it as a 2 on 1 situation
and when she arrives it’s played as a 1 on 1 situation for each
of you. Do not go rushing into the corner and leave an opposing
player uncovered in front of the net unless there is a loose
puck and you are 100% sure you can get it.
Corner work- if the player is covered in front of the net, 1
defenseman must go into the corner and be aggressive with the
puck carrier, or stick check and retrieve or create a loose
puck. Your backcheckers should pick up any loose puck then lead
an offensive rush.
Communication- between defense partners is critical. Let your
partner know what you are doing. “ I’ve got the man out front,
you take the man in the corner” This verbal communication will
help you play your position correctly and not have 2 defensemen
going to the same player, as this will always leave someone
uncovered for a potential pass and a goal against.
If you retrieve a loose puck in the corner try to pass the puck
quickly up to an open forward with an accurate outlet pass. This
could trap the opposition deep in your end zone and lead to a
quality scoring opportunity for your team
These are but a few tips to help young defensemen play their
position correctly and will help them prevent goals against
their team if executed properly. Whether you’re 5 or 55 these
same skills are required to be an effective defenseman
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