BEGINNER SHORT HANDED

Box  

• The box is structured to defend both crease players and both shooters, with the two high defenders also splitting the point player (or the player in the middle if the powerplay is in a 2-1-2).  Should the point player attempt to shoot, both defenders should “pinch” tight together, trying to block the shot.

• When one of the shooters cuts through the middle, it is also the off-ball “high” defenders responsibility to follow the "cutter," eventually “passing them off” to the on-ball low defender. 

• The “low” defenders’ major responsibility is to lock-off the creases, with all defenders keeping their sticks and bodies in the shooting and passing lanes.

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  • Generally, the “high” defenders’ sticks are towards the middle, and the low defenders’ sticks are towards the boards, in order to best defend these lanes.  Although, if either "shooter" on the power-play is a significant play maker, it may warrant the high defenders' stick being on the outside (board-side).

Diamond

• The diamond is structured to directly cover the point and both shooter positions, with one defender splitting both crease players down low, playing “cat & mouse.”

• This defense is designed to invite shots from the crease players and take away the shots of the offensive players up high.  Defenders must be careful not to get over-extended, leaving too much space in the middle.

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  Generally, the two players on the side of the diamond should have their sticks towards the board (except in a Rotating Diamond), and the player on the back of the diamond should be the opposite hand of the point player.

  The goalie usually plays back closer to the goal-line (“deep” in the net) to eliminate the angles for quick stick opportunities at the crease.