Defending 101: Just Because You Are Standing Next to Someone, Doesn't Mean You Are Guarding Them
Discussing net-front tactics
As we’ve written about many times in this newsletter, ice hockey is a game of space and controlling access to space.
Just because you’re standing next to an opponent doesn’t mean you’re guarding them or taking away the important space. Understanding your opponent’s handedness and positioning accordingly matters.
Example #1
An offensive player simply needs to sneak in to establish the passing lane to their stick. Watch below as Tyler Bertuzzi lurks in the background before availing himself behind an unsuspecting Aaron Ekblad.
Example #2
Or, the offensive player can find the space opposite of their opponent’s stick. Watch how Auston Matthews moves against the current and sneaks away from the puck carrier/passer.
View 1
View 2
While this may seem obvious, I cannot count the number of times I’ve seen this detail result in goals. This is something to be aware of when defending… or playing offense. You can prevent goals against or pop in a few more goals simply by understanding handedness and positioning yourself accordingly.
Further Reading