Angles of Checking
Angles of Checking
This discussion will talk about how it helps you check an opposing player in the following game situations: angles of checking in the corner, defending a "D" to "D" pass in the neutral zone, and attacking a "D" on your defensive blue line.
Checking in the Corner
Whether you are a "D" defending a "F" in the defensive zone or a "F" attacking a "D" in the offensive zone the angles are the same. The normal tendency of most players is to react to the puck going into the corner by skating as fast as they can straight at the player and the puck. The problem with this is that the opposing player has an equal chance of going making a move on you to the left or the right. The attacking player would have to guess or react at the last moment when the opposing player makes their move. This often leads to poor results.
Before you attack or defend the player in the corner, you need to know where you want them to go. You also need to know where your support is and where the less dangerous area of ice is located. Let us say that you want the opposing player to go up the boards, because your wing is there to support. Your first motion towards the opposing player is toward the side of the net you are defending. This will give the impression that the boards are open. Most likely, they will skate up the boards, and you can angle them off without worrying if they cut back toward the net. If they do cut back, they turn back into you. In other words, you have taken control of their options and forced them to go and do what you want them to do.
Defending a "D" to "D" Neutral Zone Regroup Pass
The new rule for offsides has changed the game considerably. Players are now forced to bring the puck back into center ice or the "Neutral Zone" as it is called. The "D" on the opposing team will try to do a "D" to "D" pass giving his/her forwards more time to get out of the offensive zone and come back to support.
Most of the time, players will go straight at the first "D" who has the puck and allow them to make that "D" to "D" pass. Actually, what you want to do is go right down the middle. Your first thought may be that this is crazy. Why not attack the "D", and why allow them to skate with the puck along the boards? It is quite simple. Just remember why they are trying to make the pass in the first place: to buy more time. You want to control them and the play. By going through the middle and then at the "D", you have isolated or blocked off the "D" with the puck. This may make them force a bad pass, an offside, or an icing. At worst the "D" may dump or skate the puck up the strong side of the ice where there is support from your teammates. In other words, you have controlled their options, their time, and the play.
Attacking a "D" on Your Defensive Blue Line
This is very similar to defending a "D" to "D" pass in the neutral zone. However, the reason is slightly different for angling your check from the middle of the two "D" in toward the boards. You will also have a slightly different angle of approach. Attack the "D" by skating in his line of fire. Meaning, if you drew a line from the puck to the net, that would be the line of fire. You need to start by skating as fast as you can to that line and then attack the "D" taking away the shot. As you get close to the "D", you angle from the middle of the two "D" in towards the boards taking the other options away. For example, if you were the right wing attacking the opposing left "D" whom has the puck on your defensive zone blue line along the boards; you would create at least three bad situations to go straight at him/her. First, you give them the opportunity to get a quick shot on net. Second, you give them the opportunity to pass the puck across the center of the zone or the "Slot", as it is called, to a player in a better position to shoot. Finally, you would be giving them the opportunity to pass "D" to "D" across the blue line to the "D" in a more dangerous position to shoot or pass the puck. By going up the middle and back at the "D" toward the boards, you take all of these options away. The "D" would have to shoot or pass the puck through you or traffic making it a difficult play. In most cases the "D" will end up hitting you with the shot or pass, or he/she will just make the safe play and throw the puck back into the corner. In other words, you have again controlled the options and the play of the opposing team forcing them to make a safer play or possibly turning the puck back over to your team.
Hint: Always use your stick to help angle the player in the direction you want them to go. It will also help you take away more of a passing lane by putting your stick in the open area that your body can not and does not cover.
This discussion will talk about how it helps you check an opposing player in the following game situations: angles of checking in the corner, defending a "D" to "D" pass in the neutral zone, and attacking a "D" on your defensive blue line.
Checking in the Corner
Whether you are a "D" defending a "F" in the defensive zone or a "F" attacking a "D" in the offensive zone the angles are the same. The normal tendency of most players is to react to the puck going into the corner by skating as fast as they can straight at the player and the puck. The problem with this is that the opposing player has an equal chance of going making a move on you to the left or the right. The attacking player would have to guess or react at the last moment when the opposing player makes their move. This often leads to poor results.
Before you attack or defend the player in the corner, you need to know where you want them to go. You also need to know where your support is and where the less dangerous area of ice is located. Let us say that you want the opposing player to go up the boards, because your wing is there to support. Your first motion towards the opposing player is toward the side of the net you are defending. This will give the impression that the boards are open. Most likely, they will skate up the boards, and you can angle them off without worrying if they cut back toward the net. If they do cut back, they turn back into you. In other words, you have taken control of their options and forced them to go and do what you want them to do.
Defending a "D" to "D" Neutral Zone Regroup Pass
The new rule for offsides has changed the game considerably. Players are now forced to bring the puck back into center ice or the "Neutral Zone" as it is called. The "D" on the opposing team will try to do a "D" to "D" pass giving his/her forwards more time to get out of the offensive zone and come back to support.
Most of the time, players will go straight at the first "D" who has the puck and allow them to make that "D" to "D" pass. Actually, what you want to do is go right down the middle. Your first thought may be that this is crazy. Why not attack the "D", and why allow them to skate with the puck along the boards? It is quite simple. Just remember why they are trying to make the pass in the first place: to buy more time. You want to control them and the play. By going through the middle and then at the "D", you have isolated or blocked off the "D" with the puck. This may make them force a bad pass, an offside, or an icing. At worst the "D" may dump or skate the puck up the strong side of the ice where there is support from your teammates. In other words, you have controlled their options, their time, and the play.
Attacking a "D" on Your Defensive Blue Line
This is very similar to defending a "D" to "D" pass in the neutral zone. However, the reason is slightly different for angling your check from the middle of the two "D" in toward the boards. You will also have a slightly different angle of approach. Attack the "D" by skating in his line of fire. Meaning, if you drew a line from the puck to the net, that would be the line of fire. You need to start by skating as fast as you can to that line and then attack the "D" taking away the shot. As you get close to the "D", you angle from the middle of the two "D" in towards the boards taking the other options away. For example, if you were the right wing attacking the opposing left "D" whom has the puck on your defensive zone blue line along the boards; you would create at least three bad situations to go straight at him/her. First, you give them the opportunity to get a quick shot on net. Second, you give them the opportunity to pass the puck across the center of the zone or the "Slot", as it is called, to a player in a better position to shoot. Finally, you would be giving them the opportunity to pass "D" to "D" across the blue line to the "D" in a more dangerous position to shoot or pass the puck. By going up the middle and back at the "D" toward the boards, you take all of these options away. The "D" would have to shoot or pass the puck through you or traffic making it a difficult play. In most cases the "D" will end up hitting you with the shot or pass, or he/she will just make the safe play and throw the puck back into the corner. In other words, you have again controlled the options and the play of the opposing team forcing them to make a safer play or possibly turning the puck back over to your team.
Hint: Always use your stick to help angle the player in the direction you want them to go. It will also help you take away more of a passing lane by putting your stick in the open area that your body can not and does not cover.
posted by Coach John's Hockey Tips at 9:37 AM
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