Defense Issues

[Scopes 4]

Lately I've been stuck playing left D, as a right handed shot I'm finding it difficult to do anything but backhand the puck back into the corner when on the point. I don't have enough time to pick the puck off the boards with my backhand and turn to shoot/pass, and our ice is bad enough that its hit or miss throwing the skate against the boards to try and get the the puck to pop out to my blade.

Off face offs on the left side, no matter where I line up the center seems to win the draw to my left foot, thus putting the puck near my backhand and leaving me in the same situation. The forwards are not making my life easier by a) not sending passes back to the point in a receivable manner (off angle fluttery passes) b) not being able to get to the puck when I back hand it in the zone, in resulting in a turnover.

So what do I do? I cant make a D-D pass while facing the left boards and trying to pick up the puck. I can't put enough force behind the puck on my backhand to bury the puck behind the net on a dump in, which doesn't leave the forwards enough time to forechek the play and I can't take a backhand shot from the point.

Any tips would be helpful because short of giving up the zone repeatedly and not challenging on the blue line I am at a loss. I got caught a few times pinching last game going to challenge the puck with the backhand on the boards and having it hop over/elude me, and I feel strange abandoning the zone so early and giving the opposition a free puck around their blue line.

Thanks

[beerleaguecaptain 999]

I know as a player you want to do more but as a coach I'd tell my kids if they had time to get it on their forehand and make a play but if they cannot do it safely then the must get it deep. Even if your just dumping it to the corner. The reality though is that this is where team play comes in. Your wingers should be holding up their man on the draw to buy you more time.

[Chadd 916]

What to do? First of all, work on your backhand. If that one aspect of your game is limiting your options that much, you need to improve it to the point where it doesn't matter how you play the puck.

If you're down in the left corner, why can't you rim it hard around the boards to the right wing or play it to your partner behind the net? As for playing it on your backhand from the point, it doesn't have to be a shot on goal or a hard dump in. You just have to get it through the defender to get it to your forwards. There has to be one available down the boards or towards the slot. One defender coming at you can't take away the entire sheet of ice. Pick your spot and get the puck through to your forwards.

I am also a RH shot that plays a lot of left D, so I do know what I'm talking about. Without being able to play the puck on your backhand, you can't play the position well.

[Scopes 4]

Thanks for the input, defensive zone play is not an issue Chadd, it's only when in the attacking zone on the blue line that I am having problems. You're right I do have to get the back hand working better and I guess till then stop attacking the 50% plays.