Hockey Player Magazine

Category: Defense

  • 4 Corners – D vs. O

    4 Corners – D vs. O

    Drill:1. Place O in each corner with a puck2. D starts in front of net and skates toward one of the O3. When he stops and transitions, the O drives the net and they play 1 on 1 until a score, puck freeze or D clears the puck4. D then picks another O an…

  • 4 Corners – D vs. O

    4 Corners – D vs. O

    Drill:1. Place O in each corner with a puck2. D starts in front of net and skates toward one of the O3. When he stops and transitions, the O drives the net and they play 1 on 1 until a score, puck freeze or D clears the puck4. D then picks another O an…

  • 4 Corners – D vs. O

    Drill:1. Place O in each corner with a puck2. D starts in front of net and skates toward one of the O3. When he stops and transitions, the O drives the net and they play 1 on 1 until a score, puck freeze or D clears the puck4. D then picks another O an…

  • How To Play Defense – Roles and Responsibilities

    In previous articles I’ve written about the roles of a winger, and the roles of a centerman. In this article I will be going into detail about the roles and responsibilities of the Defensemen. I’m going to start by making it VERY simple, and then we’ll go into a little more detail based on zones.…

  • Don’t Rim the Puck

    A few years ago I was working at a hockey camp with Dennis Maruk (former 50 goal scorer and NHL all-star) and we were ending the camp with a scrimmage. One of the students playing defense rimmed the puck a few times to move it up ice to the wingers. I didn’t think much of…

  • The Rink Within the Rink – Using the Markings

    We’re breaking down some fundamental defensive strategies to help you play better hockey. These tips aren’t just for defensemen. Anyone who plays hockey should know how to play defense, because remember, when the other team has the puck, everyone is playing defense. Using the Markings Key Takeaways from the video The dots can be used…

  • 1 on 1 Battles – Backchecking & Beat your Man

    Drill:This drill runs 2 separate drills on each half of the rink.Left side is a 1 on 1 battle (defense strong)Defense starts at the Blue line and Offense starts about 5 steps inside the bluelineOn whistle, O is using speed and body position to beat the…

  • 1 on 1 Battles – Backchecking & Beat your Man

    Drill:This drill runs 2 separate drills on each half of the rink.Left side is a 1 on 1 battle (defense strong)Defense starts at the Blue line and Offense starts about 5 steps inside the bluelineOn whistle, O is using speed and body position to beat the…

  • Improve your 1 on 1 Defense – 4 video series

    One topic we haven’t covered a lot here on How To Hockey is defense. I’ve been getting requests for a few years for more info for playing defense, so I have put together a 4 video series all about playing defense! These videos are not JUST for defensemen. As a coach, I have a simple…

  • @DerekSchooley Shares With Us a Defensive Zone Coverage Drill

    Robert Morris University head ice hockey coach Derek Schooley sent over a defensive zone coverage drill that works on 1×1, 2×2 and 5×5 skills. This drill is excellent for use on half ice practices as well as full ice practice slots. Every coach needs to work on his teams defensive zone coverage throughout the year…