Playing defense is one of the hardest positions in ice hockey. To be a great defense player you have to play smart hockey by knowing were the puck is and where all the players are positioned. You will also have to anticipate where the puck will be going next and who will have it. The defenses job is to stop anything and everything that is headed towards their net.
Here are some tips and tricks for defense hockey players. Always keep your stick on the ice with one hand in front of you and pointed at the player. If the player is a weak puck handler you can swing at the puck and usually take it away. If the puck handler is a strong player watch for an opening and then poke check the puck. With stronger puck handlers if you swing at the puck they then have the opportunity to get around you, after you have your stick on the opposite side of them and this gives them a scoring opportunity.
You will also have to watch the size of gap you are giving the opposing player; it should be no more or no less than two hockey sticks away. If you give them too little, they can get around you if you give them too much, they can score on you, so always watch your gap. Never let an opposing player get behind you; this leads to a break away and could result in a goal. Most goals are scored from the slot so, try to angle the opposing player to the boards, never allow them to go down the middle.
When watching a player bring down the puck watch his/hers hips, not the puck. If you watch the puck instead of the hips they are more than likely to get around you. By watching the hips and using your peripheral vision, you will be able to follow the player and keep him/her out of scoring range. You can also tell were a person is going by glancing at his eyes. The reasoning on this is because you always look the direction that you're going to be going.
I'll give you more defense tips in part 2 of ice hockey defense strategy.
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