Stick on Stick Defense.

This video will show you how to play stick on stick defense by playing the man.

Ice Hockey Defense Strategy - Part Three

Here is a video about how the defense can use behind the net for protection and to give a better break out pass.

Ice Hockey Defense Strategy - Part Two

Here is the second part of ice hockey defense strategy hope these tips help you play abetter game.

Get to know your defense partner and how he/she plays. This will help you become a strong defense team because you know their strong points, weak points, and they know yours. Defense is a very important part of winning or losing a game. When my son played defense his partner and him know exactly where the other one was at all times, this made them a very effective part of the team. When one was up, the other was back, then when the other one moved back, then he was up. They played like a well-oiled team and it was fun to watch.

As a defense player you must get to know your goalie and his/her weaknesses. This way you will be able to help them on their weak side and keep the puck out of the net .Remeber always talk to your goalie throughout the game, they see things that you can't see and are able to give you hints on who needs to be shut down quicker and who is the strongest players on the opposing team. Make sure not to screen the goalie, the goalie must keep his/her eyes on the puck at all times. When in a face off on your end make sure to ask the goalie if he/she can see the puck because most of the time they can't.

Defense players remember it is your job to keep the puck in the opposite side and to always defend your goalie. Defense is one of the keys to winning or losing the game and is a very important position. So please parent, spectators, coaches and team mates, remember to tell them thank you for doing such a great job.

Defense Zone Coverage

Proper positioning of the defenders covering the players without the puck is just as important as defending the ones that have the puck. Proper defense position is important.

Ice Hockey Defense Strategy - Part One

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.
 

Defense Positions in Our Own End.

This video displays the basic guidelines to defense positioning in hockey.

To Pinch or Not To Pinch.

If you are playing defense, learn these hockey tips and become the most reliable defense man on ice. Every defense man experienced that dragging feeling, followed by a split second of indecision. Should I commit? Is it the right time to pinch? What if I am too late? If you are one of those guys and are not sure whether to pinch or not to pinch, keep reading. In this article, I'll give you a few tips on becoming a more consistent defense man. Remember them the next time you hit the ice and your teammates will thank you for that.

 

Pinching, if you don't know what it is, is actually quite simple. Basically, it's rushing forward off the opponents blue line when your team is in their zone. Sounds simple, right? The question you should ask yourself: when is the right time for this? If your timing is right - it gives your team an immediate advantage and you keep possession of the puck in the other team's zone. If the timing is wrong - your opponent can easily have two and sometimes three on one rush back to you your own end. Players often think that pinching is like throwing a dice, sometimes you get what you want, sometimes - not. It should not be like this.

 

When to pinch.

It is impossible to teach every game situation. With experience you will be able to read the game much better, and it will become a more intuitive decision. But for now, keep in mind those four simple "rules" and do pinch when the opportunity presents itself.

 

1) Where is the puck? The guy you are pinching towards does not have the puck yet or does not have full control of the puck. You have to make sure to get to him faster than he can establish puck control and either make a pass or flick the puck against the boards. If you can take away time and space from the guy by pinching - do it.

2) Your partner. The longer you play with your partner - the easier it becomes. There is nothing else that can boost your confidence than the trust you develop with your defense partner. You can take a bit of a risk here and there knowing that he is going to cover you. Talk to him before and after the game, discuss game situations and how you can help each other on the ice. Ask him to cover the middle of the ice when you decide to pinch. Communication in this case makes it perfect. Develop trust in each other, and you no longer will be double guessing yourself.

3) Your line and the opponent's team line. It is no secret that starting probably from pee wee age group every team has first, second and a third line. When as a defense man you are playing with the 1st line you can pinch with more confidence than playing with the 3rd line. Who is on the ice for the other team also matters. You should be a bit more cautious and defensively-minded playing against their top line, and you could take more risk competing against their third line.

4) The Score. Everything else being the same, depending on a score you should either hold back or pinch. Do not pinch if there is a tie or you are leading by a goal or even two goals. Your main responsibility here is to defend and shut the other team down. Your game is expected to be more conservative. Mistakes in one, or two goal games are very costly, so defend first, attack - second. However, if your team is loosing by a pair of goals, pinch, when the opportunity is there. It might be exactly what you team needs to get back in the game.

 

When Not to Pinch.

Stick to the following "rules" and do not pinch when:

1) Your partner is not a reliable defense man. I know you should always be confident in your teammates, but the truth is you will be playing with both stronger and weaker defense partners.You have to use your best judgment here.

2) Your teammates, especially your wingers are out of position. Do not pinch if there is no chance for them to cover you.

3) Your team is losing by one, it's a tie, or your team is winning by one or two. In those game situations you have to hold back and shut the other team down. The exception: When it is late in the game and your team is loosing by one.

4) You are playing against a really fast winger. Be more cautious here or you can get burned.

 

How to pinch.

 

One of the most important hockey tips here. While pinching - do not hesitate. You have to commit everything you have and not second guess yourself. You must accomplish one of two goals:

1) take the puck

2) take the player. It is an absolute key to being a successful and reliable pinching defense man.

Your task is to keep the puck in the other team's zone and create an advantage for your team.

Article Source:

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Keeping The Puck to the Outside on Defense.

When you are playing defense in hockey you always have to stop the other team from getting scoring opportunities. You cannot allow the other team a chance to put the puck in the net. The best way to do this is to keep the puck to the outside. Here are some of the things that you need to do to keep the puck to the outside when you are playing hockey.

The first thing that you need to have is a strong presence in the middle. Having a strong presence is not just about how many players are playing in the middle of the ice, it is also about how good the players in the middle of the ice are. They have to be able to put pressure on the other team and force them to make a mistake. Force the other team to play along the boards and you will not be scored on.

Another thing that you have to have from your players is an understanding of the system that you want to use. If your players do not understand what their jobs are then they are useless. This is something that you will have to work on in practice.

Here are some other things that are necessary when you are trying to keep the puck to the outside of the zone.

1) A system

2) Ability to stop passes from going through the middle

3) Cutting down of shooting angles

4) Knowledge of who the threats on the other team are

As long as you focus on these four things that are talked about in this article then your team will be great. Make sure that your drills reflect these tips and that you have a strategy that is well understood.

If you have any questions about possible hockey strategies that you can use then you should take a look at the defensive strategies [http://www.tipsforhockey.com/Strategy%20Sections/Defensive-Hockey-Strategy.htm].