Playing Defense

[danielb 0]

I have a question regarding matching the speed of an incoming forward.

I tend to lurk on/near the blue line near the boards on offence and will start skating into the middle and backwards as soon as I think the other side has got possession and is going to manage to hold onto it long enough to attack. I tend to be crossing the centre line backwards about the time their forward crosses their blue line, my issue is if I skate hard backwards (i.e crossovers) and accelerate to top speed I'll open up too much of a gap but if I wait for their forward to close the gap I risk them blowing past me with their higher speed. How do I manage my speed in such a way to close the gap but prevent a forward blowing past me?

Is there any tips to gauging their speed compared to mine other than experience?

[D-MaN88 0]

The rule of thumb my coach always gave me was when the other team in their defensive zone had full control of the puck and started coming out of the zone, that's when you start skating backwards. Remember, you don't want to give up the blue line while your team has control too easy or too quick. As you start going back, get a couple of powerful first strides to get going and then slow down/speed up as the guy with the puck slows down/speeds up. That's where the gap control comes in which will be easier after working on it and getting more familiar with it by playing more.

Also, I don't think you stated what level your playing but you will have your back-checkers coming back as well. (Well hopefully). That will make the speed of the opposing forward either increase or decrease, it's all about timing and positioning.

[danielb 0]

Cheers for the tip, now about stick positioning when I'm skating backwards: I should hold my stick in one hand with that hand holding the top of my stick at my hip (roughly) that seems to be how most effective defencemen I've seen carry their stick?

For reference I'm in the beginner level of play.

[Smitty34 0]

You want to hold your stick with one hand, and try to keep it in, close to your hip, because that gives the puck carrier the illusion that he has more room to skate in, then you can surprise him with a poke check.

[lampliter87 8]

Cheers for the tip, now about stick positioning when I'm skating backwards: I should hold my stick in one hand with that hand holding the top of my stick at my hip (roughly) that seems to be how most effective defencemen I've seen carry their stick?

For reference I'm in the beginner level of play.

Definitely in one hand at your hip. It's a good idea to disguise just how long your stick is to fool forwards about how much reach you have. Do this simply by where you position your stick relative to your body (cocking your wrist can help do this) or by actually holding your stick a few inches below your knob.

[biff44 0]

Also, i was always told, that on odd man rushes, you should always take the pass, and let the goalie take the shot.

That is a "rule of thumb" only! If you watch top defensemen play, many times they will take the shooter. There is a split second decision made where the Dman judges how the shooter is skating, what he knows about the shooter's attitude (is he a puck hog), and if the passer is getting into a bad position to shoot, etc.

One effective technique I have seen in Major Junior games is to keep backing up, taking the passer, but end up right near the net to keep the shooter from moving laterally across the net mouth. That way the goalie has him somewhat contained for available shooting angles. Also, you are right there ready to clear out a rebound.

Often the Dman foolishly gets hung up a with the passer at a distance a little too far from the net to keep the shooter honest.

[Chadd 916]

Also, i was always told, that on odd man rushes, you should always take the pass, and let the goalie take the shot.

That is a "rule of thumb" only! If you watch top defensemen play, many times they will take the shooter. There is a split second decision made where the Dman judges how the shooter is skating, what he knows about the shooter's attitude (is he a puck hog), and if the passer is getting into a bad position to shoot, etc.

One effective technique I have seen in Major Junior games is to keep backing up, taking the passer, but end up right near the net to keep the shooter from moving laterally across the net mouth. That way the goalie has him somewhat contained for available shooting angles. Also, you are right there ready to clear out a rebound.

Often the Dman foolishly gets hung up a with the passer at a distance a little too far from the net to keep the shooter honest.

You want to take away the pass and try to deny the middle of the ice to the guy with the puck. Draw a line out from the short (puck) side post and neither the puck, nor the puck carrier should cross that line.

[15yearsofhistory 0]

What should you do in the case where your team is playing the man-to-man system and one member slips up on their man in your defensive zone? Should you step up and put pressure on him and keep an eye on your man or should you completely take him and maybe ask for some cover on your man?

[Jarick 5]

I'd stick with my man unless the other guy was sneaking towards the net. Your center SHOULD be watching for that kind of thing, but for me the biggest thing would be to not let anyone hang out in the slot with no coverage.