Dallas Ice Jets

Learn to read and react in any offensive or defensive situation

February 1, 2011

The importance of team defense can't be overstated and plays a major factor in the success of any hockey team at any level. The defensive play of all hockey teams depends on the combination of two basic principles - individual skills of each player and the utilization of basic defensive principles which make up a defensive system.

It is also important that a team is able to recognize and react to the transition in the game of hockey from offense to defense. Once a team and its players have a solid understanding of defensive principles and systems, then the transition of players and their ability to read and react to both offensive and defensive situations will prove to enhance the success of the team.

Along with strong individual skill, a team must also understand the numerical importance within the framework of defensive play. To play successful defensive hockey, 6 players working together as a single unit must be the primary goal of the system. The ability to communicate and interchange positions at times during breakdowns allows players to use both their individual defensive skills and play as a six man unit.

Most players believe that defense is dull, boring and commonplace. But a closer look reveals a direct relationship or duality between offense and defense. Hockey can be compared to chess in many ways … if you are somewhat familiar with the game of chess, you will readily acknowledge and appreciate that each move has an offensive and defensive dimension. For instance, if you are under serious attack, you will respond by moving a piece to protect, or at least reduce the threat against, your king, but at the same time calculating the offensive potential of your move.

Similarly, if you are thinking of checking your opponent's king with a series of attacks, you will also weigh the relative risks of these moves in terms of vulnerability to your own defensive position or alignment of your chessman. This same approach is used in ice hockey. The game of hockey is made up of highly diversified but integrated tactical offensive and defensive plays. We can even say that many offensive movements are protected defensively and similarly, many defensive actions are also potentially the start of an attack. This being said, playing strong defense can lead to more possession time with the puck and greater opportunities to score goals - there is nothing dull or boring about that.

Playing good defense often discloses a team’s character and pride. The effort and energy it takes to play defense is typically greater both physically and mentally. But there is never a day a team can't use defense. All you need is the decision to 'put out' and give one hundred percent. To score goals against a team with a good defense takes great effort. On the other hand it is easy to score goals on teams that play poor defense. On offense you can have an 'off-game,' where you don't get the bounces or face a hot goalie. But there needs to be no such thing as an 'off-game' on defense unless you’re not working hard.

Team Defense Philosophy

Objective

To prevent the opposition from creating scoring chances and to regain possession of the puck.

Individual Defensive Play

• Knowing how to check the puck carrier (angling, containment, stick check, body check)
• Poke checking, shot blocking, intercepting passes
• Clearing the opponents in front of net (legally) preventing rebounds
• Covering an opponent, taking away passing lanes
• Tenacity and determination

Defensive Team Play

Defense is a basic phase of the game during which the team is not in possession of the puck. Checking the puck carrier, supporting teammates checking the puck carrier, covering opponents away from the puck and areas of the ice that are critical in relation to the position of the puck and the goal. All of these make up the foundation of team defensive play.

10 Defensive Play Principles

1. Play on defensive side of the opponents
2. Keep a tight gap
3. Protect the middle of the ice (inside the face off dots)
4. Deny time and space to the attacking team
5. Communicate (let your mouth be your teammate's eyes)
6. When in doubt get it out (defensive zone) / when in doubt get it in (offensive zone)
7. Backcheck hard through the middle of the ice
8. Outnumber opponents in the defensive zone
9. Keep stick on ice to block passing lanes and intercept passes
10. Play physical to separate the opponent from the puck.