Table of Contents
The Basics
Have you ever watched a game of hockey and thought to yourself, “I have no idea how they play this game”? If so, then you’ve come to the right place! In this article, we will discuss offsides, how to teach it, and how to play it effectively. Let’s get to it.
Offsides
Offsides are an important facet of hockey because they affect how the game is played. Essentially, when a player is offsides at the moment of contact, the play is considered dead. The puck can be kept in play for a certain period of time, but once it enters the goal, it’s considered a goal. That is why it is extremely important to know the rules of offsides and play by them! Here are the basics:
- When a player is in their own zone, they must keep their feet in-bounds
- A player must be offsides when they are outside of their own zone and in the offensive zone
- A player is considered offsides when they are standing outside of their own zone and near the blueline or a player is in the crease and is in the process of stealing the puck
- A goalkeeper is offsides when he crosses the goal line with his hands or between his legs
How To Teach Offsides To A Younger Generation Of Hockey Players
As mentioned above, offsides are a very important aspect of hockey. Because they are so important, it is imperative to teach young hockey players about them. Otherwise, they may not know what constitutes acceptable gameplay. Luckily, this can be done simply by role-playing. The coach or an assistant coach can take on the role of the other team’s player, while the youngster plays the role of the coach’s player. This can help to quickly introduce key gameplay concepts, such as offsides, to a younger generation of hockey players!
Playing Offsides
Once you know what constitutes offsides, you can begin to play them. One of the best ways to do this is by using your stick to deflect the puck away from you. This is commonly referred to as a “backswing” and it is a very effective way of playing offsides. Here are some more tips:
- Use your body to protect the puck
- When defending, always look for the opening
- Do your best to keep the puck in the front of the net
- Maintain possession of the puck as long as possible
With these tips in mind, you can begin to play offsides even if you have no previous experience with the position. The more you practice, the more comfortable you will feel playing offsides, and the more attractive it will seem to you. This is crucial if you want to improve your game!
Summary
In this article, we discussed the basics of offsides in hockey. From knowing when you are required to be there to knowing how to play the position effectively, these are the basic tenants of offsides and hockey in general. Offsides will affect the way you play the game and how you perform, so it is important to understand them and play by them!