Hockey Defense Strategy: The Must-Have Guide

This guide covers the must-have hockey defense strategy. It details the importance of good positioning, communication, and active stick work.

The Different Types of Defenses in Hockey

Hockey is a sport that is constantly evolving and so are the strategies teams use. In this must-have guide, we will go over the different types of defenses in hockey, what they are best used for, and how you can use them to your advantage.

The first type of defense is the 1-2-2. This is when one defenseman covers the middle of the ice, two forwards cover the wings, and the other defenseman covers the point (the area near the blue line). This system is best used when you want to protect your lead late in the game or if you re Playing against a team with a strong offense.

The second type of defense is the 2-1-2. This is when two defensemen stay at home to protect the net, one forward covers the middle of the ice, and two forwards cover the wings. This system is best used when you are trying to hold on to a lead or if you are playing against a team with a strong Power play

The third type of defense is the 1-3-1. This is when one defenseman stays at home to protect the net, three forwards cover the ice from side to side, and one forward stays high in order to be able to get back quickly on defense if necessary. This system is best used when you need to kill off a penalty or if you are trying to protect a one-goal lead late in the game.

As you can see, there are many different ways to set up your defense in hockey. It all depends on what your team’s strengths are and what your opponents’ strengths are. By using these different strategies, you can give your team the best chance to win!

The Three Zones of Defense

In hockey, defensemen are given a lot of responsibility. Not only are they tasked with stopping the other team from scoring, but they also need to be aware of where their own forwards are on the ice and make sure they’re in the right position to support them. To be successful, defensemen need to have a good understanding of the game and know how to read the play in order to make the right decisions.

There are three main zones on the ice that defensemen need to be aware of: their own defensive zone, the Neutral Zone and the offensive zone Each zone has its own set of guidelines that defenders should follow in order to be effective.

The defensive zone is often referred to as the “danger zone” because it’s where most goals are scored. Defenders need to be aware of where the puck is at all times and stay between their net and the puck carrier They should also maintain good communication with their goalie so that they know when they need to stay back and when they can move forward to support the play.

The neutral zone is important because it’s where transition happens. It’s important for defenders to have a good understanding of how fast or slow the play is moving so that they can make the proper decision on when to pinch in or step up. They also need to be aware of what’s happening on both ends of the ice so that they can anticipate where the puck might go next.

The offensive zone is where defenders can really use their skills to create scoring chances for their team. If there’s an opportunity to jump up into the play, then defenders should take it. However, they need to make sure that they don’t get caught too far up ice and leave their goalie stranded. Good communication with forwards is key so that everyone knows when someone is going for a puck or taking a shot.

By understanding these three zones and how to play in each one, defensemen can put themselves in a better position to succeed on the ice.

The Neutral Zone Trap

The dreaded Neutral Zone Trap. It’s a strategy that’s been used by teams to stifle opponents and clog up the middle of the ice. It’s also been the cause of many a bored hockey fan as the game can turn into a snooze-fest when it’s employed.

Here’s a quick primer on the trap: it’s typically used by teams with a lead late in the game, or by teams that are trying to protect a lead. The aim is to keep the puck in the opponent’s end, and to force them to take long shots from the outside that are easily defendable.

The trap is executed by having the team’s forwards pinch in along the boards in the neutral zone, and its defensemen drop back to provide support. This leaves a large space in the middle of the ice for the puck carrier to skate into, where they will then be met by opposing players and hemmed in.

The strategy can be highly effective, but it requires disciplined skaters and good communication between teammates. It can also be very boring to watch, as it often leads to slow play and little scoring.

The Forecheck

In hockey, the forecheck is a defensive strategy in which forwards pressure the opposition’s defencemen in order to regain control of the puck. It is often used as a response to the other team’s offensive play. The purpose of the forecheck is to force a turnover, that is, to make the other team give up possession of the puck.

The most common forechecking system is the 2-1-2, which features two forwards pressuring the puck carrier along the boards while one defenceman covers the opposition’s point man and the other defenceman remains at the top of the faceoff circle in case of a breakaway. Other forechecking systems include the 1-2-2 and 1-3-1.

The main principle of all forechecking systems is to keep as much pressure on the puck carrier as possible and to make it difficult for him to make a clean pass to one of his teammates. The forwards need to be in constant motion and they must be able to quickly change directions when necessary. They should also be aware of where their teammates are at all times so that they can support each other when necessary.

One common mistake that players make when forechecking is that they get too far ahead of the play and they end up being caught out of position. This often leads to odd-man rushes going against your team. Another mistake is not applying enough pressure on the puck carrier which allows him time and space to make a good play.

The Backcheck

In hockey, the backcheck is a defensive strategy whereby forwards pressure opponents who are behind them in the defensive zone, in an effort to regain control of the puck or disrupt the opponents’ attack.

Backchecking is often referred to as “tracking back”, “coming back”, or “getting back”. It is distinguished from “forechecking”, which refers to defensive pressure applied by forwards towards opponents in their offensive zone

Defending the Rush

One of the most basic and important defensive strategies in hockey is defending the rush. It is critical for every player on the ice to understand how to properly defend the rush, as it can often be the difference between victory and defeat.

There are a few different ways to defend the rush, but the most important thing is to keep yourself between the puck and your net. You want to force the attacking player to the outside and make them take a less dangerous shot. Another key element of defending the rush is to communicate with your teammates. You need to be aware of where they are on the ice so that you can work together as a team to effectively shut down the attacking players.

Defending the rush may seem like a simple task, but it is actually quite difficult to do well. It requires great communication, teamwork, and effort from all players on the ice. If you can master this defensive strategy, you will be well on your way to success in hockey.

Box Plus/Minus

Box Plus/Minus (BPM) is a player valuation metric created by Jeremias Engelmann and now commonly used by analysts in the NHL. It attempts to measure a player’s contributions to his team’s offense anddefense, while adjusting for the strength of the team’s other players, the league average, and various situational factors. The metric has been praised for its accuracy in valuing players, and has been used by NHL Teams to help make personnel decisions.

The Puck Support Defense

The Puck Support Defense is a must-have for any Hockey Coach This guide covers everything you need to know about this essential defense strategy, including how to properly execute it and how to troubleshoot common problems. With this guide, you’ll be able to take your team’s game to the next level.

The 1-3-1

The 1-3-1 is a very effective hockey defense strategy, especially if you have a fast team. The forwards cover the offensive zone from side to side, while the defencemen stay close to the blue line The goalie plays deep in his net.

This system is designed to clog up the middle of the ice and force the other team to the outside. It’s important that your forwards are disciplined and don’t get caught chasing the puck carrier around the perimeter. You want them to force him to make a mistake or take a bad shot.

The main weakness of the 1-3-1 is that it can be beaten by good passing teams that move the puck quickly from side to side. If your forwards are not quick enough to keep up with the play, you will be giving up a lot of uncontested shots from the slot area.

Another weakness is that if your forwards get too aggressive in their checking, they can get caught out of position and leave big gaps in the middle of the ice for enemy players to exploit.

The Reverse Forecheck

In hockey, the reverse forecheck is a defensive strategy used to regain control of the puck after the opposing team has gained control of it in the defending team’s zone.

There are two main types of reverse forechecks: the 1-2-2 and the 2-1-2. In a 1-2-2 reverse forecheck, the first defenseman (D1) pressuresthe puck carrier along the boards, while the second defenseman (D2) defendsthe middle of the ice. The two forwards (F1 and F2) position themselves high in the zone, just inside the blue line in order to prevent a breakout pass.

In a 2-1-2 reverse forecheck, D1 and F1 pressurethe puck carrier along the boards, while D2 defendsthe middle of the ice. F2 positionsthemselves high in the zone, just inside the blue line in order to prevent a breakout pass.

Both types of reverse forechecks have their advantages and disadvantages. The 1-2-2 is more effective at preventing shots from close range, while the 2-1-2 is more effective at preventing passes out of the zone.

The main disadvantage of both types ofreverse forechecks is that they can be easily beaten by a well-executed breakout pass. For this reason, it is important for defenders to communication with each other and be prepared to adjust their positioning if necessary.