Defence, Peewee AA, 2013-2014, Travel (Cambridge roadrunners Girls' Hockey Association)

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This Team is part of the 2013-2014 season, which is not set as the current season.
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This area is dedicated to our defencemen!


DefenceTip: Covering in Front of the Net
Protecting the area if front of the net is crucial when you’re playing defense.

Most goals are Scored from the Slot.
When the opposing forwards decides to camp out in front of the net, your job is to make it as difficult as possible for him to get his stick cleanly on the puck.

Position Yourself Between the Player and the Net.
If you let the forward get in behind you, she’s home free if she gets a decent pass.fantasy_dmenDLb_090313.jpg

Keep Your Body Facing the Play.
While you want to keep an eye on the puck, you also have to be aware of the player you’re covering. If she moves, you’ve go to react. If you’re just staring at the puck, your man can easily get away from you and be open before you know it.

Get in Her Way
Get in right beside her and firmly stake your position between her and the net. Letting her know you’re there will help distract her from the puck, and may cause her to miss the pass when the puck comes out.

Tie up Her Stick
If you can time it properly, you may be able to lift her stick, just as the she’s about to receive the pass. Don’t try this too early, as you may end up getting tangled with her stick. If your stick ends up in the air you could get a high-sticking penalty. This trick works better when you’ve just arrived at the play, and the forward isn’t expecting you.

I prefer to place my stick over top of the other player’s. When I lean heavy on that sucker, even the strongest forward has trouble getting to the puck.

Give Your Goalie a Chance
Be sure not to screen the goalie if the shot is coming in from high in the zone. Better to let the goalie see the shot so she can have the best chance of stopping it. Whatever you, don’t try to stop a fast shot with your stick. You’re more likely to deflect it your own net, and that’s just plain ugly when it happens. Let the goalie do her job.

Cover the Most Dangerous Player
Sometimes there may be more than one player to cover and you’ve got to make a crucial choice. The most dangerous player is usually the best player, even if the weaker player is in a slightly better position to score. Be aware who the best player is on the opposing line, and make sure they’re covered in the slot.




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TOP 10 TIPS FOR DEFENCEMEN
 

It's tough being a defenseman …. Here are some tips that will make your job easier:

1. Keep Gap Tight in Neutral Zone...2013wwc_apr11_canusa_wick_szabados_640original_126664.jpg

  • Tight gap in Nuetral Zone means playing rush at blueline, therefore not giving up easy entry.
  • Tight gap in the Nuetral Zone makes your job easier.

2. Go to Man Early and be Aggressive in Defensive Zone...

  • Be aggressive in your own zone / man-to-man coverage.
  • Delaying gives the puck-carrier the room and the time to make your life miserable.

3. When Defending a 2 on 1 Rush...

  • Stay in the middle and do not allow a pass. 'Sliding' may be necessary to take away the shot and the pass across.

4. Puck out...

  • Defense must get puck out of their zone at all costs.
  • If no teammate is available for pass… go high and hard off the glass.

5. Think Pick...

  • Always be ready to 'pick' a forechecker to give your partner more time to make a play.

6. Communicate...

  • Defense partners should continually talk to each other to help each other out.
  • "Lots of time", "reverse", "right on you" , "I got him", etc.
  • Help your partner 'read the play'… especially on the rush.

7. Stick on ice...

  • Defenseman's stick must always be on the ice… especially in their own zone to take away the 'passing lanes'. (Body in the shooting lane).

8. Neutral Zone Turnovers...

  • Defensemen can never turn puck over in Nuetral Zone (odd man rush).
  • Defensemen should always be alert to get the puck in deep.

9. Head up...

  • Make sure your head is UP in the Offensive Zone when you have the puck.
  • This helps find the open man and see defenders / shot-blockers.
  • Shot cannot be blocked.

10. Join Rush...

  • Always be alert for chances to join the rush.
  • Go to net (but don't stay).
  • Never pass puck backwards when in Offensive Zone.