Hockey Goals To Playing Good Defense
Your defensemen are an integral part of your hockey team and although there are many different strategies on what makes a good defensemen here are some hockey goals to playing good defense.
In order to be a good defensemen you need to be patient, have great timing, and excellent positioning. Your goal is to be able to control both the neutral zone and the defensive zone. You need to attempt to control the middle of the ice forcing play to the outside walls. Of course goals aren’t always that easy to achieve but these tips should help.
Communicate
You need to be a good communicator. It makes it a lot easier if you are talking with your forwards, partner, and goalie.
Join The Rush
Remember your job is to join the rush not start it. Be sure to move the puck quick and hard to the open man.
Defense At The Net
You need to leave at least one defensemen near the net.
Know Where They Are
Pretend your one of those characters from the horror movies where your head swivels 360 degrees. You need to know where both defensive and offensive players are.
Don’t Get Tied Up
Don’t find yourself caught up in front of the net when you are outmanned. Bad move.
Avoid The Crease
Don’t make the mistake of getting too close to the defensive zone crease. Play off the post and keep your stick on the ice.
Don’t Get Tied Up
When you are pursuing your man hit and move in the corners. Remember to lead with your stick on the puck so you don’t get tied up.
Play The Rink
As the old saying goes play the rink within the rink so you can control the ice. Follow the dots to move up the ice.
Shots On The Net
If you don’t shoot you can’t score. Shots don’t have to be hard they just have to shoot away from the shot blockers.
Don’t Get Tired
Long shifts too early in the game will result in being too tired. When you are too tired you make dumb mistakes and you are more likely to get hurt.
Clear The Net
You need to avoid getting tied up with your opponent as this can only result in you getting tired and perhaps even getting a penalty. You need to learn to play off your opponent using your stick. Even if your opponent is bigger than you learn to use your stick to knock the pucks away.
Board Battles
Board battles are actually mental more than physical. Remember to use your stick to dislodge the puck using your body as a shield between your opponent and the puck. Stay low, get leverage, and keep your stick on the ice. You aren’t going to win the battle of the boards by beating on your opponent’s shoulders.
Attacking Zone
If you find yourself in the attacking zone stay about 5 feet off of them and make sure you are not outside the blue line. That way should a pass come your way and it’s over your stick you won’t get an offside call. If you’re rushed by a forward opponent just get rid of the puck and don’t bother trying to shoot unless you can get it off without having to align yourself.
Team Spirit
All the theory and all the moves in the world won’t do you any good if you aren’t playing with team spirit. Hockey is a team sport and it requires you to work with your team mates to win. You can’t play this game by yourself. If you’re looking for an independent sport you might try golf.
By setting your hockey goals to play a good defense you will be in a much better position to help your team score that winning goal!
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