Avoiding the Big Hits

Hockey is a dangerous sports, especially in bigger leagues when there can be a huge variety between the size of players. One of the biggest tips is skate in the direction you're looking. If you're skating in different directions things get messy. Someone can easily come to you from the same side your skating at and if your not looking the hits get really dangerous. Defencemen are often prone to getting big hits, though mainly when they move into leagues with bigger players.

Defencemen are usually switching from backwards to forwards and looking to make the break out pass, they aren't particularly concerned about hits, especially when they're the biggest players. Now when a defencemen moves into a bigger league, or players with bigger players on different teams this can cause huge hits. So defencemen especailly, always skate in the direction your looking.

It's also very important to be close to players, especailly infront of the net. As a defencemen, standing infront of the net may make you prone to hits from guys rushing the net. The important thing is to keep an eye out for this and when you see the guy, come to him and absorb him, stay beside him and use your upper body strength to tie his hands up and make him useless.