Backchecking in Hockey (Advanced)

Deep dive into backchecking, tracking, positioning, and tactics

This is part 1 covering the basics of advanced back checking.

Part 2 will look at specific issues commonly seen when players back check.

Backchecking = The process of skating back into a defensive position. Most commonly referred to when a player is behind the play and must race back.

A perfect example from an all-time great backchecker, Pavel Datsyuk:

Key Terms

When referring to backchecking there are a few key terms to be aware of

• Backchecker/Tracker = This is the player backchecking

• Tracking = The route the player takes when backchecking

• Above the puck = Being on the defensive side of the puck. a.k.a. being between your check/opponent and your own net.

Individual Tactics

When it comes to individual player tactics, there are some tried and true things that will immediately improve play.

Funnel back through the middle

When heading back toward your own net, you should be backchecking through the middle. This forces play to the outside and means you’ll be in the most valuable ice once arriving back in the defensive zone.

Get above the puck / Reloading

When away from the puck and your team doesn’t have control, you’re playing defense. To be play defense, it’s always a great idea to be on the defensive side of the puck. When backchecking, the first tactic is to get on the defensive side of the opposition.

Here is a great video from David St Louis (David’s Article) on the concept of reloading. Notice that MTL is able to prevent Oshie-Ovechkin-Wilson from breaking out, multiple times.

Team Tactics

When backchecking as a team, it’s vital to communicate and have clear expectations for each role. Particularly between the defensemen and backchecking forwards.

A question to ask yourself… Who covers the puck carrier?

Should the defensemen play the puck carrier? Should the backchecking player go toward the puck? Toward the passing options?

You can see there are many ways in which a team can play the rush situations. Here is the Boston Bruins that play loose defensemen and rely on backcheckers to pressure the puck carriers:

Here is a very clear example from Dallas. The tracker goes to the puck while the defense stays within the dots/middle of the ice.

Other teams play with aggressive defensemen while the backcheckers put their head's down and hustle back to the slot.

What’s your preferred style of playing the rush? Why?

Click here for part 2 - Common Backchecking Issues.

Further Reading - Looking at the secrets behind Cole Caufield’s goal scoring

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