Fore Checking

Fore checking refers to skating done in the offense zone in order to recover possession of the puck after a dump or turn over. Fore checking is all about anticipating what the puck carrier will do next. Knowing your opponents skill level will help you figure out what they might do next. Strong skaters will skate the puck up where the weak ones will pass the puck.  The fore checker must always keep eye to eye contact with the puck carrier. The puck carrier will tip you off to where they plan to pass the puck by the direction in which they look so, by watching the puck carriers eyes you can anticipate where he/she is going to pass the puck. This gives you a chance to intercept it and gain possession.

 

 

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Hip Checking

Hip checking is best delivered along the boards. Hip checking is when a player goes into a slight crouch stance and uses his hips against an opposing player to separate him/her from the puck. If you end up hitting them below the knees you will be charged with a penalty of clipping. Remember to stay low and curled when you hit them so you can stay on your feet.

Here are a couple of videos on hip checking.

 

Shoulder Checking

Shoulder-checking is the most common form of body checking. The player swings his/her hips toward the opposing player trying to make them become off balanced and then using his/her shoulder with elbows tucked in to separate him/her from the puck. Remember not to use your elbows or this will cause you to get an elbowing penalty.

Body Checking.

Body checking has a variety of techniques like hip checking, shoulder checking, side checking, back checking, front checking, and fore checking. Side checking is the most common form of body checking. To accomplish this you drive your shoulder, upper arm, hip and elbow, equally into the opponent to stop them from carrying the puck down the ice. 

The purpose of body checking is simply to separate an opponent from the puck while maintaining your balance and position without committing a penalty. It also gives you the chance to gain possession of the puck and take it in for a goal.

Front checking is another form of a body checking. Front checking is accomplished by using the front of your body while facing the front of the other player and taking them into the boards. In a front check you want to use the entire body to check the opposing player to gain possession of the puck or to allow a team mate to gain possession of the puck. Remember to always have your head up. Here is a video showing examples of legal and illegal body checks.

Cross Checking

Cross checking is when you have both hands on the stick and you extend your arms to check an opposing player. Remember this is an illegal move and will earn you a penalty. They will call you on either a major or a minor penalty depending on the severity of the infraction.

Sweep Checking

Sweep checking is the most popular fore check used by forwards. This type of checking uses your stick to keep the opposing player from sending a pass or by knocking the puck away from them. This is accomplished by swinging your stick in a sweeping motion in front of the opposing player.  The ideal of the sweep check is to force the player to the outside.  Never approach the puck carrier head on because he/she could get around you and score a goal.  Always angle the puck carrier while sweeping your stick. You can accomplish the angling by using forward or backward cross overs.

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Hook Checking.

The hook check is accomplished by placing your top hand on the stick then bend one knee and bring the shaft of your stick down where it is nearly flat on the ice. Hook your stick blade in the direction of the puck.  The curved part of the stick should cup the puck and drive the puck away from the opponent.  This type of stick checking is the most difficult to use.