A Hockey Center’s Defensive Role

I’d like you to know that this series was inspired by a number of members.  Actually, I thought it was going to be an easy job — following different positional players around the game ice.  But, for a reason I’ll save for the final installment, it’s been a whole lot more difficult.

Anyway, for the time being, let’s follow a centerman around the ice.

– Dennis Chighisola

A Hockey Center’s Defensive Role

Beginning with a game-opening draw, I ask my centermen to move nearly all face-offs back towards their rear.  There’s a far better chance of gaining control of the puck if it’s pulled back amid teammates.

Immediately after the draw, a centerman should tie-up his counterpart, at least for a few seconds.  (I can’t tell you how many ways that guy can hurt you.  But, to name just a few:   a free center can steal the puck and head straight towards our net; or he could break through to pounce on one of our players with the puck.)

Thereafter our centerman will likely defend in all three zones as I’ve shown in the following video…

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Okay, as you should have noticed, I couldn’t be specific about the way a given forward should move in the offensive zone, mainly because it would depend on the forecheck that forward’s team is using, as well as the player’s specific role within that forecheck.  I have two great videos within these pages when it comes to forechecks, so you might refer to the 2-1-2 or my “L” forecheck for some good ideas.  All forwards are interchangeable in both of those schemes, while I only use one forecheck — the “wing on wing” (or a 1-2-2) — that designates specific roles for each winger and the centerman.)

All players — including our centers — must help by backchecking an enemy rush through the neutral zone and into our own end.  And it’s important for all of our players to know the rules our team follows for covering the various numerical rush situations.

Then, in my usual way of covering in our defensive zone, I ask a defenseman to deal with a puck-toting opponent in a corner, while my centerman backs-up that teammate.  If need be, he can help his mate in the corner.  However, I especially want my center to be the last line of defense to our net, in the event the enemy puckcarrier is able to walk out of the corner.  And, as shown in the video, our centerman has to move from side to side in our end, backing-up a defenseman in either corner.

I want to remind members that there’s an awesome series of videos covering all aspects of the defensive game, and it begins with “Checking — the REAL Definition“.

Finally, the centerman comes to mind when I think about something I always take into consideration as I put together any playing system (and I have to encourage other coaches to do the same)…   What I’m getting at is the need to share the workload fairly evenly among players.  What I’m thinking about right now is the possibility that someone like a center might be asked to be the first guy down the ice applying the forecheck in a corner, and then require that same player to hustle back to work deep in his defensive zone.  It’s not fair, of course, and it surely is going to wear-out a player in short order.

Replacing a Tired or Injured Player

Always trying to respond quickly to member questions, the following one just came-in moments ago.  Actually, the real question (that wouldn’t fit in the title area) is whether an injured or tired player who is stuck behind the play should come-off the ice.

– Dennis Chighisola

Replacing a Tired or Injured Player

First, it would probably be helpful that I describe my “basic rule” for changing on the fly…

A player looking to come-off the ice should always make sure the puck is safe before doing so.  Or, in general, he or she would want to be absolutely sure there isn’t going to be a threat to his or her net within the few seconds it’ll take to make the player exchange.

Now, under normal conditions, a player who is very far behind the play should still really hustle back.  It’s pretty likely that the only opponent left uncovered will be an enemy point-man, and those guys (or gals) oftentimes DO — left uncovered — get their chances at walking to our net for a rebound or pass.

That said, I guess every rule is meant to be broken.  Or, in this case — with a player overly tired or injured, I think we have to use a little common sense…

- Frankly, that sort of player is probably no immediate use to us.

- For safety purposes, we probably won’t want an injured player to stay on the ice, anyway.

- As for the guy or gal who is really dragging, it probably would be a good idea that he or she get to the bench.

Of course, there’s always a gray area in all of these types of situations.  And, within the few seconds it usually takes for a player to limp back towards his or her end, I’ve often been able to communicate with him or her.  In other words, it’s quite likely I would call or wave for that player to get to the bench as a fresh player speeds onto the ice and towards our zone.

Following a Defenseman Through His/Her Defensive Duties

As I’ve mentioned numerous times before, I develop a lot of my drill ideas from following either a team’s or an individual player’s movements — from zone to zone, and depending on whether the team or individual is in possession of the puck.

With that, this first post in a series of related ones is going to trace the movements of a defenseman through all three zones while the opposition controls the puck.

Again, though, the main idea for doing this is to arrive at ways of helping a blueliner perform his or her job well.

– Dennis Chighisola

Following a Defenseman Through His/Her Defensive Duties

The first thing I need to emention is that almost every thing in this section should seem pretty obvious.  The second thing I feel compelled to say is that far too many hockey folks skip the obvious.  Thirdly, if there’s a reason I often get really good results in helping my players, it’s because I make absolutely sure they can execute the very basics perfectly.

Now, don’t worry about the following defenseman’s movements whizzing across your screen rather quickly.  You can watch it a number of times if you’d like.  Besides, I’m going to next cover each of these one by one…

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Now, for whatever reason/s, I personally always begin my studies in the zone furthest from my team’s net.

• Doing so, I suggest that a defenseman’s movements across the offensive blueline are critical.

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I want my D — in this kind of forchecking system — to move quickly from a stick’s length off their own side boards to a spot in-line with the net post on their side of the ice.  Perfection is what I look for here (and everywhere else), with each defenseman being ready to corral any loose puck and any time.

As for developing a drill for this…

- A coach might just call-out key commands — like, “Forecheck left!” and “Forecheck right!” to have the players react.  The coach could also have the defensemen react to a puck being passed from one corner to the other.

- I ultimately make this even more game related by occasionally sending pucks out the D’s way — up the boards, or towards anywhere within their movement patterns.

• A defenseman’s pinch can be executed a little differently, depending on the forechecking system used.  It can be more difficult for the D to pinch straight down the boards as in the above point positioning.  On the other hand (although I messed-up the following video by placing the defenseman too close to mid-ice), D in my 2-1-2 position in-line with the face-off dots, which makes it easier for them to trap the near winger by approaching from about a 45-degree angle.

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- For a drill, I will usually fire pucks around the boards from the far side corner, this signaling to the defenseman to move toward the near winger.

• Sad to say, our opponents are at times going to start carrying the puck out of their zone.  And with that, our defensemen must be very quick getting off the mark.

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- This is a biggie to me, and I especially think this is important to my HS Prep defensemen as they ready to go off for the high school tryouts.  So, the following video shows just one drill I developed to put my D under game-like pressure.  (Actually, as you’ll see, I’m also trying to get my forwards to practice moving the puck as quickly as possible.)

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- FYI…  The idea of that drill wasn’t for my defenseman to really “play” the forward.  All I wanted was for him to concentrate on his speed of execution, or to beat the forward in a race to the rink’s center-line.

• As defensemen retreat through neutral-ice and into their defensive zone, they must be well versed in playing each unique numerical rush.

The photo to the left shows typical match-ups a single defender might face, while the photo to the right shows the situations a pair of D must prepare for.

Not shown here are the situations where a backchecking teammate’s help slightly alters what the defensemen might do.

• Once back in their own end, a pair of defenders usually have to rotate from covering a puckcarrier in their own corner to guarding in the slot area.  So, a lot like the point rotation movements shown at the start, I like to also have my D work on quickly moving between their two main stations (the corner and the slot).

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Is there a silver bullet for perfecting a defenseman’s play?  I think not.  There’s a lot to be perfected from the above, and just doing that — mastering each of the described movements — is going to make a defender pretty valuable to his or her team.

If anything, there is quite a bit of explosive skating and agility required in many of these movements.  And as such, older players should practice them for short durations at maximum intensity.  I mean, like fly across the offensive blueline, and then react back; fly across, react quickly back.

Finally, long ago I described something called my “MP Drill Format“, which is an awesome way to practice all of a team’s movements — from forechecking to backchecking to playing numerical rushes to defensive zone coverage, and then on to the offensive side of the game.  So, I highly recommend members review that system of drilling, and put it to use.

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I was able to gather some new video a few days after I initially posted this article.  So, having shown you an off-ice version of my defensemen working on their quickness off the blueline, I thought I’d add for you some footage of the same guys working on the ice…

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PS:  The timing of this drill is tricky — in order to get a meaningful foot-race going between the forwards and the D.  At the same time, I had to later prod my forwards to work on their speed, since they’re not helping their defensive teammates by going less than all-out.

The “Logo Forecheck”

I like to respond quickly to member requests (hey, being here for YOU is what I and CoachChic.com should be all about).

I mention this because Tim T just wrote and asked, “What are some situations where a coach would have players back off from an aggressive forecheck?”

Ah, what an awesome question, and it’s one that I actually wanted to address with my members sometime this month.  So, with that, let’s explore something called…

– Dennis Chighisola

The “Logo Forecheck”

Actually, that title — in reference to the “Logo Forecheck” — is not the way I usually present this line of thinking to my players.  I happen to call it “Facing-up”.  Still, as you’ll soon discover, either name will work for a group of players, mainly because both names are very descriptive of what needs to be done or needs to be considered.

Now, in case you don’t totally appreciate Tim’s question, I think the best way to begin is to share something I witnessed a few years ago while watching one of my grandson’s high school hockey games…

He played in a pretty high caliber league back then, which not only included a lot of great players, but also a lot of pretty sharp coaches.

Anyway, one evening The Good Guys played a very talented and well coached team from Rhode Island.

Every so often I’d hear some fairly loud communications going on down on the ice below me, this usually happening as the RI team dumped the puck and moved into their forecheck.

It only took a few instances for me to understand what the yelling was all about.  You See, if my grandson’s team was able to quickly gather the dumped puck, there was the likelihood that they could begin their breakout before the RI group could move into their aggressive forechecking positions.

Now, think about that a little more if you need to…  In other words, as Tim T has suggested, an aggressive forecheck is going to get stuck — or trapped — any time the opponents are able to start their breakout quicker than the aggressive forecheck can be deployed.

As I recall, the RI team was using a version of the 2-1-2 as their basic aggressive forecheck.  However, what I’d hear one or more of their forwards yelling at times was, “One!  One!”  Yup, upon seeing certain conditions unfolding, at least one lead forward would alert everyone else as to the need to abandon their aggressive 2-1-2, and to instead move into a more conservative scheme that had only one forward pressuring the puck.

Okay, so you’re wondering where the “logo” or “facing-up” designations come in?

Well, as I’ve heard other coaches say, one good read — on whether it is safe to be aggressive or not — is if the earliest forechecker/s can see the logo on the front of the rival puckcarrier’s jersey.  Said yet another way, if an enemy puckcarrier has good control of the puck and he’s already facing-up ice as you’re moving into the offensive zone, it might not be wise to be aggressive.

Again, I think the use of the term “logo” is fine.  However, as I attempted to teach related principles to my high school prep team a few years back, I wanted whatever key word or phrase I’d use to cover a number of things…

As I mentioned just moments ago, an opponent’s good control of the puck is as important in this read as is his posture (like facing-up the ice).  I mean, if you can see that player’s logo but he’s fumbling with a puck in his skates (or whatever), there might still be a chance to check aggressively.

Then, while I’ve never heard this kind of reading and reacting mentioned by color commentators during television broadcasts of games, I can assure you that every high level team employs some form of this decision-making.  They use it as I’ve described above, and they’ll at least use it while in the midst of a line change.

Of course, the first question I expect from member coaches will have to do with the age groups that might be able to deploy this kind of tactic.  So, in my opinion, it should at least be used by teams from Midgets and high schools on up through juniors, colleges and pros.

Could pretty headsy Pee Wees and Bantams use it?  I think so.  The main criteria, as far as I’m concerned, would be that a team be able to understand and effectively apply two drastically different types of forechecks — one being aggressive, the other being conservative.

Oh, and one last thing…  Within this “Thinking the Game” category, you’re going to hear me frequently refer to the need for players to play with balance and to be able to think and skate at the same time.  Ya, as one moves up the hockey ladder, he or she can’t just run around without a purpose.  And ultimately, he or she is going to need to read and react to various situations much like I’ve described here.

Bergeron Burns Pronger

By Dennis Chighisola

Just a short time ago I critiqued another spectacular (minor league) pro goal in a little more detail.  So, I highly recommend that you take a look at what I titled “Good Offense or Bad Defense?”. I think you’ll find it interesting, and a very good introduction to the things I plan to address here.

As for that Pratrice Bergeron match-up with Chris Pronger, let me begin by stating that both of these guys are among the best in the world.  But, that’s going to be part of my point, in that even the very best slip-up.  (My guess is that some digging would probably uncover another video showing Pronger taking advantage of Bergeron.  Ya, to me, it just tends to work that way.)

That said, let’s get to the video (thanks to YouTube, the National Hockey League and NESN)…

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Now, I’ve said it often here – that great puckhandlers – or real “danglers” — can sometimes mesmerize good defenders.  And, Bergeron versus Pronger – at least in this instance – surely makes that point.  I think it’s pretty obvious that Pronger commits a cardinal sin as a defensive player, as Bergeron (somehow) causes him to look down at the puck.

So, here’s more of what I want to convey at this time…  I’ve known and worked with a lot of pro defensemen through the years, and I can tell you that guys who reach the status of a Chris Pronger are overly aware of their need to focus on their man’s body (their chest, their jersey logo, whatever).  And I can tell you that those guys also constantly work on their 1 on 1’s in practice.  I mean, it’s THAT important for them to make that play correctly in their games, mainly because it’s a huge part of what solid “D” do.

All that said, why is it that I so often get that eyes-glazing-over look as I talk to young defenders about their 1 against 1 skills?  Oh, I have a good hunch here…  It seems to me that young blueliners – as well as young forwards – sincerely believe they can turn it on and turn it off in a game.  Or, despite the fact they’re looking down or lunging at pucks in practice, I think many young players believe they can just change their ways once a game starts.

That’s not true, of course.  There’s little time to think in the heat of battle, so most of what players do happens instinctively.  Or, using the latest coaching terminology, they need to “read” a given play and then instantly “react” in the correct way.

Knowing my stuff when it comes to motor learning and such, I’ll suggest that a player usually reacts in a way that corresponds to whatever he or she has done the most in the past.  In other words, if the defender has been lazy in some practices – and works sometimes rightly, sometimes wrongly, there’s a pretty good chance his or her game play will reflect that.

Returning to Pronger again, let me say that he could play for me — any day.  And I’m guessing most pro GMs feel the same.  Yet, with all Pronger knows, and with all the thousands of times he’s likely practiced the right way to handle an oncoming attacker, we have him caught on video getting pretty much undressed by Bergeron.  Ya, as I said earlier, even an experienced defender can sometimes be mesmerized by a dangler.

And this all brings me to the real reason I’ve written this piece…  My hope is that hockey coaches and parents will show this post to any young defensemen (and even forwards) they have the chance to influence.  Actually, I’m going to do the same for my Team NEHI guys.  Hey, we have to figure that if a guy as good as Pronger can get burned, well…

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Do you have any feelings on the above?  I love your comments, ya know!

Good Offense or Bad Defense?

One of my favorite CoachChic.com members, Craig Shaw, recently added a few great Comments under the “Troubleshooting the Tight Turn (or Boston Turn)” article. In the latest one, he asked me to “do a YouTube search for a Victoria Salmon Kings goal,” suggesting it will “knock your socks off”.

As it turned out, my grandson had sent me a link to that play about a week ago, but it was worth it for me to see it once again (and maybe again and again).

As I watched the video one last time, however, it struck me that, while it was loaded with some unbelievable offensive moves by the Salmon Kings, there had to be a kzillion defensive mistakes made by their opponents. (Ya, if I was coaching the other team, I’d have likely suffered 32 heart attacks on the one goal!) So, I thought a study of this video might just best be undertaken under Thinking the Game – Defensively.

– Dennis Chighisola

Good Offense or Bad Defense?

Remember that I’m a hockey coach, so I see things a little differently than the typical fan. Oh, when wearing my skills coaching cap, I love the kind of puckhandling and passing demonstrated in the following video. Still, I’ve also been a team coach for most of my adult life, and over the past decade I’ve been readying my Team NEHI players to do well at the higher levels of our game. So, that means I work on both highlight reel skills AND smart playing principles (many of them having to do with the defensive side of hockey).

That said, take a look at the following video. For sure, you’ll be entertained (and it might even knock your socks off).

Now, after you’ve marveled at the offensive skills demonstrated in that video, try to go back and watch it at least once from a defensive perspective.

As an aside… I have the technical ability to work within videos like those offered on YouTube.com – to copy them, break down the plays, and run them in slo-mo, stop-action, whatever. But, I don’t believe it would be either legal or ethical to show that here. So, you might need to go back and forth between this page and the above video to follow along with me. Sorry ‘bout that. (But, hey, I’m just thankful the likes of YouTube, TSN and the NHL make these kinds of videos available to us.)

Hopefully you’ve now watched that video from a defensive perspective, and I’m also hoping it’s opened your eyes to what a coach might see (and agonize over).

As another aside… When we’re working on the defensive side of our game, I am forever telling my players that good puckhandlers can be absolutely mesmerizing. Actually, the great offensive players just die for moments when they can get defensive opponents to do some of the things I’ll note below.

So, the following is MY defensive breakdown of this play:

• If I might let any defender off the hook in this mess, it would be the first guy. He initially had good inside positioning on the first puckcarrier, but he just got physically out-muscled. (I tend to be a lot more understanding when it comes to physical mistakes versus mental ones. But, that’s just me.)
• From there onward, everything goes downhill — fast… The second defender makes an attempt to take the puckcarrier’s body (or cross-check him?), but he lunges far outside his center of gravity and has almost no strength as he makes contact. Missing the hit, he looks down at the puck from then on. My guess: The mesmerization has begun (as evidenced by the second defender being beaten several times after the attempted body-check).
• The third defender may have started okay, as he tries a pokecheck. However, it becomes obvious that he had his eyes down and was looking at the puck when the second attacker beats him – badly — with a deke or two.
• If you freeze the video right after the pokecheck, you should see a scene that includes four dark jerseys and only two white shirts. Darn, but the checkers should have had the advantage here. Ya, they should have. What I tell my players to do in this situation is to grab a man and totally negate him. That would have worked here, but that’s not how the defensive team played it. And that’s why the original puckcarrier is wide open for a return pass.
• Now, the one-touch pass from the first white player to the eventual goal-scorer helps to make another point I try to impress upon my players… If you watch things leading-up to the goal, you might sense (as I do) that the defender in front of the net is stuck because of what his teammates have done (or not done) to that point. In other words, if his mates had grabbed and eliminated an attacker (or two), he could stay at home to just pay attention to his own man (that guy near the goal-mouth). However, he is stuck in what I see as a 2 on 1 here, with a puckcarrier moving towards the net and a man behind him open at the backdoor. Ugh.

I will say this again: that really good puckhandlers can entice a defender into doing things he doesn’t want to do. And, in certain cases – as in this one, the whole thing can snowball and throw a bunch of players into total disarray. (Actually, I’ll tell my players that, “If you don’t do YOUR job, the guys around you are going to have a hard time doing there’s!”)

Then, one last point… Realize that we’ve been watching pros here. (I interviewed three different times for ECHL head coach/GM jobs, I’ve coached many guys who have attained that level, and I can tell you that all the guys in that video are REAL players.) Moreover, I guarantee you can find NHL players making the same mistakes as I’ve outlined above (just find a highlight reel video on-line, and then look at it from a defensive viewpoint). All things are relative in our game, you know. So, an attacker who has reached the NHL can, at least sometimes, tantalize an equally gifted defender to look down at the puck and look stupid. And, if that’s true – that the best players in the world can make such mistakes, appreciate that younger players need even more help with their defensive discipline and technique.

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I would REALLY like your Comments on this one!

Russian Circle Passing – Variations #3, #4, #5

Please see Drill Submission Rules and Help at the bottom of the Free Drills page.

Contributor: Stirling Wright – Virginia & Maryland, USA

Drill Category: Skating, Passing, Pass Receiving, Attacking and Goaltending

Please first see the basic set-up of this drill as described under the free Drills section.  For, from that basic format, some really awesome offensive and defensive variations are possible.  (Click here for: “Russian Circle Passing“.)

Stirling has added quite a few great variations to the basic drilling.  So, I’ll let him take it away from here…

– Dennis Chighisola

Russian Circle Passing – Variations #3

Drill Description:

Comments:

The set up is the same as the basic drill, but the first player starts with a puck and is skating backwards. As he gets to the red line, passes the puck back to the line he came from, and continues backwards until the apex of the circle, where he opens up his stick to get a pass from the other line.  He quickly transitions to forward, now attacking the net.

Benefits:  Players become more aware of the transition space in the neutral zone, and able to transition the puck forward twice in the same drill.

Running the drill:

- In the basic set-up, skaters are lined-up along the boards and behind a blue line on both sides of the ice.

- The drill begins with one player skating backwards (with a puck) around the center face-off circle.  Nearing the red line, he passes the puck back to the original line.

- Continuing on, he pivots from backwards to forwards near the bottom of the circle, and then receives a pass from the other line.

- That player then continues to attack the far goal.

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Click image below to see a short video of this drill in action.

PS:  If you set your video player to “Loop”, the drill will play over and over again.

Russian Circle Passing – Variations #4

Contributor: Stirling Wright – Virginia & Maryland, USA

Drill Category: Skating, Passing, Pass Receiving, Attacking, defending and Goaltending

Drill Description:

Comments:

This next variation is the same as #3, except that the second person in line becomes a defenseman for a 1 on 1.

I’ve altered Stirling’s variation a bit here, placing a line of defensemen next to each line.  In this way, “D” get to handle each rush.  (To be honest, I also did this so that the video would be a little clearer.)

– Dennis Chighisola

Benefits:  All the previous skills are honed, along with the addition of players getting to work their 1 against 1 skills.

Running the drill:

- In the basic set-up, skaters are lined-up along the boards and behind a blue line on both sides of the ice.

- The drill begins with one player skating backwards (with a puck) around the center face-off circle.  Nearing the red line, he passes the puck back to the original line.

- The first skater continues on to take a pass (as in the earlier drill), while the second player in the original line (or the red defenseman in my sketch) jumps out to defend against the first skater.

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Click image below to see a short video of variation #4 in action.

Russian Circle Passing – Variation #5

Contributor: Stirling Wright — – Virginia & Maryland, USA

Drill Category: Skating, Passing, Pass Receiving, Attacking, and a faster pace on the Goaltenders

Drill Description:

Comments:

From the same set up as all the rest, but this time the second person in line takes the pass from the first player and immediately heads straight in on goal for a scoring chance. This keeps the pace up and both goalies staying very busy. (Remember to allow time for goalies to recover, but keep in mind that speed drills are not just for skaters.)

Benefits:  All the previous skills are honed.

Running the drill:

- In the basic set-up, skaters are lined-up along the boards and behind a blue line on both sides of the ice.

- The drill begins with one player skating backwards (with a puck) around the center face-off circle.  Nearing the red line, he passes the puck back to the original line.

- The first skater continues on to take a pass (as in the earlier drill), while the second player in the original line quickly attacks the net..

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Click image below to see a short video of variation #5 in action.

Variation #6 coming soon!

Russian Circle Passing Variations

Please first see the basic set-up of this drill as described under the free Drills section.  For, from that basic format, some really awesome offensive and defensive variations are possible.  (Click here for: “Russian Circle Passing“.)

– Dennis Chighisola

Russian Circle Passing Variations – Basic Set-up

- From the basic set-up, I will occasionally have the last attacker stop at the net and then attempt to screen, deflect or pounce on the rebound on the next attacker’s shot.

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- Also from the basic set-up, I like to send two players at a time from each line, thusly having them attack 2 versus the netminder.  At times, I’ll ask the attackers to weave — or criss-cross — on their way to the net.

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- When I’m looking to mix a little conditioning into this drill (as well as work on our attack triangle pattern), I’ll send three attackers from each line.  Man, do the guys run out of gas quickly, since there’s little time to rest as groups of threes return to line.

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Russian Circle Passing Variations – Set-up with “D”

The next phase of this drill requires positioning forwards and defensemen as shown in the accompanying sketch.  From this layout, numerous different match-ups can be practiced.

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- Clicking on the image to the left will show how 1 on 1′s work from this set-up.  As the sketch shows, defensemen are stationed at the opposite side red line as they await playing an oncoming attacker.  I tend to like this way of practicing such match-ups, mainly because each play is preceded by a pass to the attacking forward, which forces him or her to catch and control the puck in anticipation of confronting a defender.

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- From this set-up, all the various numerical rush situations can be practiced — from 1 on 1′s to 2 on 1′s to 2 on 2′s to 3 on 2′s to 3 on 3′s.  All the coach needs to do is send the appropriate number of players from a given line.

And, as suggested in the initial drill description, it’s important for the coach to frequently change the direction in which players circle (either towards their left or towards their right).

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Might you have any further ideas for making this drill format even more useful?  I’d love to hear from members — either in the Comments box below, or from your following the directions provided for drill submissions (found in the free Drills area).

The Angle of Pursuit

Although I had my share of notoriety and recognition as a young football player, I’ll tell you — right up front — that I wasn’t all that hot.  However, I did have great hands (from my baseball background), and I could run like a deer (from honest to goodness great genes)! 

That said, I always was kind of a “thinker”, even as a kid, and even as a football player.  Oh, by the way, I also had one of the region’s best high school football coaches — far ahead of his time, I think he was, and he later went on to coach a string of championship semi-pro teams before settling in as a game film rater for the New England Patriots.

Anyway, the reason I mention all this is so that I can introduce the topic at hand.  For, one day during a defensive segment of a team practice, my old high school head coach described that “angle of pursuit” thing to his players.

You don’t have to totally understand this, because I’ll explain it better and show you later how this relates to our game.  But for now, what my coach was suggesting had to do with defenders needing to watch a ball carrier’s route — or anticipate where that route would take him, and then meet him at some point along that route.  Again, I’ll explain that far better in a minute.  However, just so you know, I was playing The Thinker again that day, inwardly shaking my head, and wondering to myself, “Does anyone really have to be told this?”  Oh, well…

– Dennis Chighisola

The Angle of Pursuit

Now, the answer to my question actually came by way of a video I watched just a few years ago, this from the Centre for Hockey Excellence in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.  For, in that video, former Canadian National Team coach, Dave King, took quite a bit of time explaining that very concept, and almost in the same way my old high school football coach had.

Okay, so here’s the gist of it, as it relates to our game…  If you click on the adjacent photo, you’ll see one player dump a puck that is destined to go around the boards and arrive near the opposite corner.  What you’ll also see is a skater from the other team chasing the puck in the wrong manner.  Go ahead, and watch that short video before you read on.

Confounding me, but giving validity to Dave King and my old football coach, I’ve come to realize that some athletes actually do follow behind in the pursuit of a puck or opposition player.

That out of the way, I’m sure my late-coach would appreciate the animation I’ve just created to show a little smarter way to pursue that same puck.  So, please click on the (left) photo to watch that video.

Now, it has been a long time since I viewed that piece by Dave King.  But, I recall him suggesting that we (hockey) coaches can run drills to show the merits of pursuing the puck rightly.  So, my next video shows two players taking different routes as they race for the loose puck (click on the photo below to view that).

You’re probably wondering what caused me to raise this “angle of pursuit” issue tonight.  Well, as I’ve been standing back and watching my young Mighty Mites team, attempting to drink-in as much as I can — about their specific needs, and about the way they learn.  And, I’ve been fascinated by a number of things…

- In one instance I watched a little 4-year old race back out of our offensive zone for a puck that had been tossed out to neutral ice.  The little tyke was skating right towards where I stood on the bench that afternoon, so I had a great view of what was to happen.  For, as he began to approach the puck, I saw him turn his head about halfway, this so he could see if anyone was nearby.  He next snatched the puck and made his exit in the direction opposite from the nearest rival.  Unbelievable or what?  The truth is, I actually run drills to ingrain that looking-over-their-shoulder thing in my older players, and most of them take quite awhile to make it a regular part of their game.  ???

- On a number of occasions I’ve seen members of that Mighty Mite team gain the puck along the side boards in their offensive end, and somehow realize they weren’t on the greatest shooting angle.  With that, they kept moving towards mid-ice with the puck, finally sending it on-goal once they reached a better angle.  And again, I felt this to be really good thinking for little guys who had only played a handful of games.

- Then, that old angle of pursuit thing…  I shot the following video really only as an example of how the game action looks in that instructional league.  I’m not sure you can pick-up anything special in this brief clip, but I’m going to suggest that some kids are moving laterally at times, just to keep themselves in the path of a rival puckcarrier, or — as if they knew enough to anticipate it — right in the path of a possible pass up-ice.  Go ahead; click on the photo (below), just so you can see some of their game action (my kids are in black, with our opponents in dark blue).

Now, I’ve written this entry for a number of reasons…

• First, if you never had cause to think about or teach the correct angle of pursuit, perhaps I’ve armed you with some valuable knowledge.
• Secondly, I hope the observations I’m sharing about my youngest team members awakens you (as it has me) to the fact that all of our players are growing organisms.  And, as such, we coaches and parents have the awesome responsibility of guiding them in that growth.
• Then, from what I learned on that long ago football practice field, it’s important to appreciate that some players do certain things instinctively (or seemingly so), while those same things evidently don’t come naturally to others.  And, while it might be easier to coach the gifted ones, I believe the true measure of a “teaching coach” is in our ability to help the players who really need it.  (Come to think of it, it’s only since I’ve grown older that I realized my old high school football coach dealt with us in that way.  So, God bless, Coach, and thanks so much.)

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Backchecking Drill (1/2 Ice)

Please see Drill Submission Rules and Help below.

Contributor: Dennis Chighisola — Whitman, MA USA

Drill Category: Team Defense, Backchecking

Drill Description:

Comments: I’ve only used 3 pairs of players per drill because it’s easier to keep an eye on and inspect the efforts of a few at a time.  Also, all positional players — both forwards and defensemen — take part in both offensive and defensive roles.

• Backcheckers:  Lie facing away from attackers so that no plans can be made ahead of time on which defender will cover which attacker.
• Attackers:  Begin the drill by lying face down; on command, circle the back obstacle in order to make it more difficult for the backcheckers to sort whom they’ll cover.  (With younger players, or to initially teach the drill concepts, I might not have the attackers circle an obstacle, but instead have them go on the attack on the command.)
• Coach:  Holds a puck at side boards and ultimately (maybe after about 3- to 5-seconds) feeds to an open attacker.

Objective of the Drill:

The attackers attempt to get open for passes (from the coach and then from open teammates) to attack the net, while all defenders attempt to cover their men so tightly that passes can’t be made to them.

As an extra benefit, the attackers tend to work extra hard to get themselves open for passes or scoring opportunities.

Running the drill:
Usually the drill lasts about 10-seconds, or until the coach is satisfied that the backcheckers completed their tasks (or didn’t).

Click image below to see a short video.

Defenseman’s Slot Coverage Drill

The Best Slot Coverage Drill I Know!

Why is this “the best slot coverage drill I know”?  It’s because it deals with what I believe are the two most important aspects of a defenseman’s work in that critical area.  As a side benefit, forwards get the chance to work on their toughness and other offensive skills in that area.

– Dennis Chighisola

Although I’m going to introduce this drill in two phases, you’ll later see how it combines those phases into a drill that forces defensemen to adapt to our game’s constantly changing conditions.

The Drill Set-up

Create lines as shown, with forwards split between the outside two lines, and the defensemen lining-up in the middle.  Here the forwards on the right have pucks, but the drill can — actually it should — be run from both sides.  Also, as the forwards complete their roles coming from one line, they should then move to the other line.

Phase One

The drill begins with a forward moving into the offensive zone and circling behind the net with a puck.  This player has only one duty in this drill:  to make a pass.  Thereafter he must exit the play after making a pass (we don’t want to confuse things by making this a 2 on 1 for the defender).

As the drill begins, the forward from the other line drives to the net, while the first defenseman backchecks that man to the net.

As the player with the pucks emerges from behind the net, his first option would be to pass to his teammate who has moved to the slot.  Only the defender’s success at covering his man will prevent a pass to him.  (Click the sketch to the right to see a video of Phase One.)

Phase Two

This drill moves to Phase Two if a pass can’t be made to the forward in the slot.

In Phase Two, the player with the puck then passes to the second defenseman in line.

As the puck moves to the point, the role of our slot-area defenseman changes drastically.  No longer should he be as concerned with the pass, since the new problem is that his goaltender is now in danger of losing sight of the puck and facing a possible deflected shot.  (If you click-on the sketch to the right, it will show the full drill, as it flows from Phase One to Phase Two.)

Putting the Two Phases Together

Really, the drill runs as shown in the second video…  As you saw, the puckcarrier quickly moved through his pattern and the defenseman is forced to deal with the problems as they occur:  covering for a pass with the puck down low, and then quickly driving his man outward and controlling his stick if the puck moves to the point.

As I said in the beginning, what makes this such an awesome drill is the fact that the defensemen ultimately learn to deal differently with the different threats.  I happen to use this drill fairly often in my practices, and it has served me well for over a decade (maybe twice that long).  It’s that good, at least to me, and I urge every coach (of players probably older than 10-years) to give it a try.

– Dennis Chighisola

If you either agree or disagree — about this being one of the best drills ever, please let me know what you think in the Comment area below.  And thanks so much!

The 2-1-2 Forecheck

Before getting into the following video, I mention in it that there’s a simpler forecheck — more suitable for younger or less experienced players — offered elsewhere on this site.  So, if you happen to be coaching a team that fits such a description, I’d really suggest you try the old “L” forecheck.  I’ve found even young Mites capable of learning it and executing it well.

Now, although I define this as THE 2-1-2, I should really say that it’s MY version of that forechecking scheme.

You see, by saying it’s a “2-1-2″, I’m really only describing the layout of players — as in 2 guys working in deep, one guy back high in the middle, and 2 defensemen positioned as the third wave.

Coaches all around the world use the layout I’ve just described.  And, while most of us probably teach a lot of the same tactics within this formation, I’ll suggest that every coach adapts each role to his or her liking (or philosophy).

All that said, here is MY version of the basic 2-1-2 forecheck…

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Coach Chic’s MP Drill Format

As a preface, I want to explain my need to place this entry in three different “Thinking The Game” categories.  For, while it surely does involve some General knowledge, the drill format I’m going to explain and show here is awesome for perfecting both the Offensive and Defensive sides our game, as well as for helping our players improve their transitions from one phase of play to another.

Now, I’ll once in awhile joke that some of the biggies in our game follow what this old coach is doing.  And the start of this video might give you an indication of how that probably started.  (Oh, I’ve given them plenty more cause through later years, but…)

As I said in the preface, my MP Drill Format is truly awesome for teaching, practicing and then perfecting nearly every phase of a team’s playing system.  As I also suggest in the video, my MP has continually evolved through the years, and I’ve found ways to adapt it to all sorts of practice conditions (like off- or on-ice), and with all the different age groups.  I will even suggest that member coaches should seek ways to alter the concepts to meet their own teams’ needs.  That’s okay; I don’t believe the MP Drill Format is done evolving yet.

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By the way…  A few years ago, I went to a far different type of forecheck than that depicted in the video.   And this presented some real challenges as I tried to fit it into my MP.  Again, though, coaching is all about troubleshooting.  And, as I said previously, the MP can — and should — be adapted to meet a given team’s needs.  So, sometime in September I’m going to show you a simple but rather interesting thing I added over the past summer.  For now, however, get your own MP Drill Format going.  You won’t be sorry.

PS:  No, that isn’t me shown coaching in any of the video clips.  I’m always stuck with the camera.    Instead, the most prominent guys shown are two great former NEHI camp coaches, Dave P and Rich B.

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In hockey defense, know that “Sticks Score Goals!”

I hear you chuckling as your read that title.  Sure, everyone knows that hockey sticks are ultimately responsible for putting the puck in a net.  Yet, the following video is going to give you a better idea about why I make such a big deal out of such a simple premise.

You might also get a hint here about my (unique?) teaching method.  Because, despite all the things that go into preventing a rival player from scoring, I try to give my guys a very simple and clear end-goal to accomplish that.  Said yet another way, I’ve found that my players are ultimately able to measure their own successes or failures in this area because I’ve given them this clear cut responsibility.

Oh, by the way…  Member coaches should see a couple of drills I use to work on this “stick controlling” skill, and I highly recommend you borrow these for your practices…

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Implementing A Simple Forecheck – The “L”

As you likely know, there are countless forechecks being used at all the various levels of our game — some very aggressive, others more passive.

Still, I find the “L” forecheck to be the simplest of all, and easy enough for most beginners and intermediate players to eventually understand and execute.

Better yet, as you’ll soon discover, this forecheck is great for teaching basic playing principles.

Also, I think my explanation of this strategy provides some insight into the way I deal with our game (and the way you can expect me to deal with most other areas).  I mean, a lot of coaches will just dump a sketch in your lap and expect you to go out and immediately teach it.  As you’ll see, however, there’s a lot more that should be understood about any given tactic or strategy, including the thought processes or decisions each player encounters.  And, once he or she has gotten into the following, I think any member coach will have the confidence to implement — and even troubleshoot — this simple way to forecheck.

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Checking — Tactical Advice & Summary

This will conclude the 4-part series on Checking — or, an overall view of the defensive side of hockey.  The first section includes the application of these principles within a team’s playing system, followed by a brief summary.

Once again I apologize for the fact that the following video was produced just prior to the drastic changes made to rules involving body contact and such.  And again, I promise to do an update in time for your new season next fall.

Also, this VERY important note…  When I think about a smart player, checking — or the defensive side of his or her game — comes quickly to mind.  It’s that important, and it’s a major part of our game’s X’s and O’s.  So, while players and parents should certainly know this information, I truly believe the dedicated coach has to understand these principles well enough to convey them well to his or her players…

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Checking — The Physical Side of Hockey

To this point we’ve covered a lot of theory.  Now, for a little more on the thinking side, along with the physical skills required to play solid defensive hockey.

Oh, apologies in advance…  This video was produced just before the sweeping new changes came into effect involving physical contact.  So, please take what you can from that area, and trust that I’ll create an updated version in time for you’re next season.

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Checking — Rink Markings and Imaginary Areas

The Old Coach could go on and on (and he usually does) about the way various rink markings and certain imaginary areas influence strategies.

By the way, some viewers might feel as though some of the information — here and throughout this site — is sort of basic.  That’s this old coach’s nature, though, to make sure absolutely nothing is skipped or glossed over.  And, if you think about it, the so-called “little things” tend to make the biggest differences to the success of individual players and teams.

So, take a look at installment two in this special series on Checking, or the defensive side of your game…

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Checking — The REAL Definition!

Part 1:

I always like to begin any discussion about the defensive side of hockey by putting some things into perspective.  I mean, it can sometimes be difficult for skaters to play a truly balanced game without a solid understanding of where their defensive efforts fit.

So, I’ll be including several short videos in this section over the next few months, with this first episode aimed at better defining the term “checking”.

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A Follow-up to "Chasing-out"

Right after posting my ideas on Chasing-out last month, I was asked if there are ever times when it’s okay for a forechecker to chase a puckcarrer out from behind the safety of his net.  Great question, because it gives me the chance to share even more extremely important checking principles…

I think the short answer provided by most high level coaches would be that, “You’d better KNOW you’re going to be able to get that guy — or the puck!”

But, here’s a better, more detailed explanation, and it has to do with how much a checker should respect a given puckcarrier…

• Obviously, there’s a huge difference in whether a puckcarrier is facing the checker or has his back to him.  For, if the offensive man is turned away, he usually has fewer escape options, and he can’t be as tricky from this position.  In contrast, the defensive player MUST respect a man who faces at him (and also has the next thing going for him).
• For, just as obviously, an offensive player has to really be respected if he is facing up-ice and in good control of the puck.

I might mention that conditions can change in an instant, though.  I mean, the offensive player might have both things going for him one moment, which calls for the checker to act conservatively.  Just as suddenly, however, he could turn his back or fumble the puck, either being a signal for the defensive player to pounce right on him.

"Chasing-out"

Very much like my comments under last month’s entry, Plus and Minus Positioning, I think certain defensive mistakes can cause our opponents to gain a dangerous man-advantage rush.  And, such is the case when a defensive player chases a puckcarrier out from behind his own net…

Actually, I liken this to when my little sister and I used to play tag around the diningroom table…  That table sure did protect the one trying to avoid being tagged.

And so it is for the puckcarrier behind the net.  He or she can bide their time until a teammate gets open for a pass, or until the first checker decides to chase.  For, if that defensive player does chase-out, he or she usually falls far behind the puckcarrier, thusly allowing a man-advantage for the offensive team.

Plus and Minus Positioning

No, I’m not going to be talking about +/- stats here.  Also, I know that some other coaches use different terminology for what I’m about to explain.  Still, the following concept is an extremely important one, no matter what we call it…

Now, the above diagram shows my “X” defending against a puckcarrier shown as the “O”.  My guy’s positioning is pretty good here, since he’s in between his man and our net, and he’s also holding something close to a 45-degree angle on that man.

When it comes to terminology, I say that my guy’s location — between his man and his own net — puts him on the Plus side of the play.  (As an FYI here, his holding the 45-degree angle assures us that the puckcarrier is trapped towards the boards, and that he isn’t going to easily make his way to our goal.

However, here’s where things can sometimes get tricky — and go terribly wrong — in my Plus and Minus view of things…  Very frequently, two rival players such as these get involved in a tussle along the boards.  And, in the middle of that brief wrestling match, it’s a no-no if my guy at any point gets rolled towards the Minus side.  And, all it takes is for the attacker to gain an advantage for a brief moment.  For, if our guy does get rolled towards the Minus side, it’s quite likely our opponents will have something akin to a man-advantage from that point onward (as indicated by the green line in the sketch below).

Of course, these brief skirmishes can happen anywhere along the boards, in any of the three zones.  Yes, I feel the situation is just as dangerous if our man loses his Plus side positioning far down behind our opponents’ net.