Fundamental Skills Analysis

Defense:

Defense starts with quality goaltending and is reinforced with good foot and body positioning by the players in front of the goalie ("position before execution"). In the same vein, the “athletic position” (with a wide/balanced stance) should also be maintained as best as possible while playing defense. All defenders should have their sticks up in the passing lanes as a good habit, something that will unintentionally "knock down" or deflect 1 or 2 passes out of 10. It is also something that becomes harder to routinely do as fatigue sets in late in periods/quarters and late in games.

Generally, you want bigger defenders low; players who are willing to block shots, box-out in front of the net and ideally someone with good stick skills able to pick off passes going through to the crease. Up high, you want your quicker, smarter defenders, able to make split second decisions like "closing the gap" on shooters, "getting on the gloves" of passers and pursuing loose balls.

“On-ball” positioning should be a few steps back to the middle, hips parallel to the side boards, in line with the offender’s top shoulder; between their stick and the net (standing in the "shooting lane"), ready and willing to block shots. "Off-ball" defenders should position themselves further away from their check (in line with the far-side goal post) in an open stance, defending against back-door passes, with cutters being followed and "passed off" where appropriate (with proactive communication); ready to help in the “prime scoring” area and “tight” as a unit. Off-ball and “adjacent” (same side) defenders need to “sag” over “showing help," but also be able to recover to their check if necessary ("flowing like an amoeba" on swing/skip passes). The thought is that the offense has to beat all 5 defenders in order to score a goal; another analogy would be that you must cover 1.5 players at all times, your check and half of someone else's.

The general team rule in a Helping “Man-To-Man” Defense is that the “high” defenders should always deny offensive players from getting over the "top-side." The "low" defender should always “funnel” low offenders upward towards the defensive help, while also denying getting beaten “underneath” (where they have no help). It's also worth noting the the low defenders should be as low as the other teams lowest offensive player on their side, as a general "rule." The low defenders also have a greater responsibility for communicating picks against the high defenders, as they can see everything happening in front of them, as opposed to the high defender who has a harder time seeing what’s going on behind them.

If a teammate gets beat towards the net then the next closest defender should “slide” over and help out, with other all defenders "helping the helper," if need be. Beyond all else, communication amongst defenders for picks coming, when to “stay” on a check, and when to “switch” checks, is the key to a successful team defense. Players should constantly be talking to each other. The ultimate goal is not to get scored on, defending just your check isn’t good enough!

Be proactive in maintaining good defensive positioning by moving around, “fighting through” seals and/or blowing up offensive picks. A defenders head should be on a swivel at all times, allowing them to see picks coming from both right and left, and help where required. All defensive player should have "two hands" on their stick as much as possible, helping to avoid taking penalties, but also to be ready to knock down balls and pick off passes. Otherwise, their stick should be clamping their check as much as possible as they look to help teammates and possibly “double-team.”

As offensive motion develops with ball movement, arrive at a check in control, never over-committing or over-checking, while keeping balanced. Deliver “cross-checks” & short “slashes” as the opponent gets closer to a threatening scoring area, shadowing them backward towards the goal. Think "position then pressure," as a general rule. Defense in it's most basic form is a "numbers game," you are always playing percentages in a cat & mouse-like affair.