Fact: A player skating forward will catch or pass a player skating backwards. Therefore, the initial starting point, or ‘Gap’, is the most important factor when playing defense. Gap: Refers to the distance that is left between a defenseman and an oncoming skater. 10-12 feet is generally the initial gap that a defenseman should allow which will provide ample time to generate enough power to stay ahead of the oncoming skater.

*Note – At 10-12 feet, the oncoming skater should gradually close the gap and allow the defenseman to maintain a constant speed, however, if the speed of the defenseman is greater than that of the oncoming skater, the defenseman will risk screening his own goaltender by backing up too far.  The defenseman should begin to force the oncoming skater wide before the top of the defensive zone face-off circles and into the corners.

Avoiding crossing over when skating backwards, with exception of the initial transition.  This will allow you to stay in front of the oncoming skater more easily.

Important – There are 5 low danger zones within the defensive zone which include: behind the net, both corners, & both sides of the blue line.  It is not necessary to chase an offensive player into any of these positions unless you are 100% sure that you can get the puck, or at least take out the man.  This will vary slightly in short-handed or power-play situations.

Always give an oncoming skater more room to the outside or boards.  This will make it more difficult for the player to get to the net by creating a greater distance that he has to travel. If an offensive player is passing a defensive player on the outside, he simply has to go to the net and the offensive skater will run into him.  This will occur because the offensive skater had to travel in an arc towards the boards, whereas the defenseman simply had to skate in a straight line to the net.

Very Important – NEVER WATCH THE PUCK.  By watching the puck, a defenseman is taking his eyes off of the oncoming skater and therefore risks being passed.  By watching the oncoming skater’s chest, keeping one hand on the stick, which should be lined up between the approaching skater’s legs, and continuing to skate backwards without crossing over, you make it much more difficult for the oncoming skater to fake around you.  The puck can be moved very rapidly from side to side, but a player’s chest can’t move more than a few inches, therefore, your odds of staying in front of the skater are much greater.  It is also important to hide your reach by keeping your elbows in close to your body.  This will give the oncoming skater the illusion of a larger gap and may force them to skate much closer to you when attempting a move.

Out of the corner – When an offensive player has the puck in the corner, a low danger zone, it is important not to rush after them.  Be patient and slowly approach the offensive player. If they begin to mishandle the puck, or you see a high percentage opportunity to get the player off the puck, then go in hard.  If the offensive player begins to skate fast towards the net, simply transition to backwards and force them away from the net.  If the player stops or changes direction, you do the same.  It is also important to stay between the skater and the front of the net so as to cut-off any passes that are made in that direction.

In front of the net – A defenseman’s job in front of the net is to remove any player who may be blocking the view of the goaltender and to not allow any shots or rebounds in this area.  Many defenseman have difficulty in this area and are prone to penalty situations because they do not know how to remove a player without checking them.  The thing you want to remember is that if you waste all this energy pushing a player out from the front of the net, you will probably not have the strength to prevent the offensive player from getting to the rebound.  Therefore, your goal should first be not to tie yourself up with the player in front.  Simply take the offensive player’s stick out of play and keep them in front and slightly off to your side.  This will allow you to see when you have to move them out of the way completely and will allow you to easily spin them off balance rather than use all your energy to push them away from the net.  As long as the goalie can see the puck and the offensive player’s stick is not in a position to touch the puck, you are doing your job.

When attempting to get the puck from an offensive player on the boards or anywhere where their back is facing you, simply extend your stick with your top hand only as if you were reaching in front of them.  This will cause them to turn the opposite direction and right into you as you step to the side.  Using your bottom hand to slightly pull the player’s shoulder as they turn will also cause them to spin off balance.  You must be careful not to pull too hard, which will warrant a penalty.

When chasing a player on a breakaway, always keep you feet moving until you have taken the player off the puck.  Do not hook or trip the player unless you absolutely have too, rather, use you stick or glove to push the elbow of the player’s top arm forward, which will, in turn, cause them to loose the puck.  If you cannot get close enough to do this, you can also use the heal of your stick to push one side of the skater’s pants.  This will cause them to spin off balance.  It doesn’t take much of a push for this to work and it can help you avoid a penalty if done correctly.

Clearing the puck – The job of a defenseman who has the puck in the defensive zone is to simply get it out of the defensive zone. Not unlike a football quarterback, the defenseman has the options to pass the puck to a forward for a breakout, skate it out of the zone himself, or shoot it hard and high off the boards.  Any of these methods are acceptable, but never pass the puck in front of your own net or up the middle of the ice where it will likely be intercepted by the other team.  If you get in trouble in front of the net, simply pass the puck into the corner away from any threat.

Playing in the offensive zone – The job of a defenseman in the offensive zone is to prevent the puck from leaving the zone, especially on the stick of an opposing player.  The defenseman’s position in the offensive zone should be either in the middle lined up with the net, or about six feet from the boards. In either position, the defenseman should be at least four feet inside the blue line to allow for any fumbling of the puck or turning that may become necessary.  If the opposing team retrieves the puck and is rushing the blue line, do not try to stand them up at the blue line because it is very difficult for a stationary object to stop a moving one.  When shooting the puck, make sure the puck is low and on the net to allow for rebounds.  Do not shoot if there are defensive skaters in your line to the net, simply dump the puck into the corner or as close to the net as possible.

Play boring – Defense is a simple position to play if you play it simple.  Your only responsibility is to remove the offensive player from the puck and to get the puck up the ice if possible.  Defensemen who go for the puck or who are impatient when defending a player, are the ones who get beat, so keep it simple.

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