Hockey is a fast-paced game that requires your full attention. Between constantly changing ice conditions, puck movement and your opponent’s offensive style, it can be hard to keep track of what’s going on. Luckily, coaches and captains come up with effective strategies to keep things organized and easy to follow.
One of the most crucial elements of hockey is defending your goal. A well-executed defensive zone coverage can be the difference between a win and a loss, and it’s something that can be gradually introduced to young players as an extra layer of defense.
The concept of a defensive zone is fairly simple โ your opponent is trying to create scoring opportunities by getting the puck into the offensive zone. To stop this, you can focus on keeping the puck in your own end of the ice, or you can move towards the other team’s end to block shots and disrupt their formation.
Teaching children to defend their goal is a crucial step to incorporating hockey into their life. Once they’re aware of the value that a solid defensive zone coverage can bring, it will not be long before they’re asking for the drill at practice.”
Table of Contents
How Do I Defend My Goal In The Defensive Zone?
When playing hockey, you’ll need to decide whether you want to focus on offense or defense. Typically, coaches will instruct their players to focus on the โblue lineโ when playing defense. This is vital due to the fact that the blue line is the demarcation between the end boards and your goal. If the puck crosses this line, it’s considered to be in the โoffensive zoneโ and can be attacked with speed and intent, whereas a play in the โdefensive zoneโ has a much lower tempo and is generally more relaxed in nature.
Based on this information, here are a few tips on how to effectively defend your goal in the defensive zone:
Use Your Enforcer
As mentioned above, the โdefensive zoneโ has a lower tempo than the โoffensive zone,โ so you’re going to want to bring your enforcer. An enforcer is an additional player on the team who is there to protect his teammates and the ice surface. He is generally the last line of defense and the closest one to the opposing team’s bench. Using an enforcer in the defensive zone can be an inexpensive way to add some muscle and protection while still keeping your team’s defensive structure intact. However, be careful not to overuse this strategy as it can disrupt the flow of the game and prevent your team from pressing their attack effectively.
Protect The Puck
While you’re focused on defense, the one thing that you’re going to want to keep an eye on is the puck. Regardless of whether you’re in the defensive or offensive zone, the puck is still your ultimate objective. When you have the puck, you can maneuver to set up scoring opportunities or prevent your opponent from doing the same. One of the best tips regarding puck protection is to pick it up and protect it with your body whenever possible. For instance, if you’re on the receiving end of a hard check from an opponent and the puck is directly in front of you, grab it with your body and use your momentum to spin out of the check and continue the play. This is much easier said than done, of course, but you can use your instincts and practice makes perfect.
Know Your Strengths And Weaknesses
It’s important to know your team’s strengths and weaknesses before you enter the defensive zone. This is a crucial step because you don’t want to approach the game with a blind spot. A good place to start is by looking at your own team’s form. Are you a fast, elusive player who can beat your opponent to the puck with a burst of speed? Or are you a more structured player who likes to use your position to your advantage? Knowing your team’s speed and positioning allows you to pick your spots and anticipate what’s going on. In addition, your coach can help by offering advice and constructive criticism regarding your game plan. This way, you can become the best possible version of yourself and maximize your full potential while on the ice.
Offensive Zone: Breaking Down A Play
Now that you’re familiar with defensive zone coverage, lets take a look at how to break down a play in the offensive zone. As mentioned above, the term โoffensive zoneโ refers to the area directly in front of your goal, which is usually the ice surface. Once the puck leaves the blueline and enters the offensive zone, it is your responsibility to secure the puck and prevent it from going anywhere. It is advisable to take the puck low, near the ice surface, where your team has the best chance of maintaining possession. Depending on the situation, you can move the puck up the ice surface, towards the middle or down towards your goal. An experienced forward will typically stay near the puck and wait for teammates to join the play before entering the enemy’s end with the puck. This prevents the opposition from setting up in front of your goal and taking away scoring opportunities.
When playing against a team with a skilled goaltender, it is important to keep the puck away from their net, as this is a place where they’re most likely to stop the puck. This also means that it’s important to keep your opponent pinned to the outside of their goal. If you can prevent the puck from entering their defensive zone, it will be easier for your team to maneuver the puck to the back side of the net for a scoring chance. Alternatively, if the puck crosses the goal line and goes into the opposing net, this is usually considered a goal. Even if the puck was going straight up until it reached the goalkeeper’s glove, it is still considered a goal because the goalkeeper had no chance of stopping it. It is important to keep this in mind when playing against a skilled opponent that can shoot the puck very hard and accurately.
Defensive Zone: Puck Management 101
Once the puck is secured in the offensive zone, it’s time to manage it. One of the most important tactics in hockey is controlling the puck. To do this, you can use a number of strategies, but generally, you want to keep the puck away from the opposition’s net and make controlled (skilled) passes to move the puck forward. The defensive zone is all about puck management, and the best way to improve your game is by focusing on this. When you’re playing in the defensive zone, it is not only about protecting your goal, but it’s also about preventing the opponent from gaining possession of the puck. Typically, the responsibilities of a defenseman in the defensive zone fall into three categories: defense, defense and more defense. This entails taking away the puck, preventing it from entering the offensive zone, and keeping it away from the net. In other words, your sole responsibility is to prevent the puck from going in the other direction. To do this, you can use a combination of your stick and body to block shots, deflect passes, and engage in tough battles along the boards. This is where your team’s structure and discipline come in handy because they help prevent opponents from breaking in and out of the defense, keeping the puck in the defensive zone. In addition to defense, you also need to be thinking about offense. This entails getting the puck to the point where it can be effectively used to your team’s advantage. To do this, experienced forwards will typically skate down low while accessing the ice surface, looking for a short pass or an open lane to shoot the puck. Determining the best course of action for your team depends on the situation and what strategy your coach implemented for that game. Generally, holding the puck high in the defensive zone and preventing shots from getting the net is best because this minimizes the possibility of a rebound or deflected puck hitting the net and going into the goal.
Summary
Hockey is a thrilling game to watch and even more exciting to play. By mastering the basics of defensive zone coverage and knowing what to look out for, you’ll be able to position yourself for a scoring chance or prevent your opponent from scoring at all. In addition, by teaching your children the value of a well-executed defensive zone coverage, you’ll be incorporating this exciting sport into their lives and giving them a leg up on developing responsible, disciplined players who can make smart, well-informed decisions while under pressure. This is all part of growing up strong.