Defending The Net Front: Fronting vs Box-Out
Fronting vs Boxing-Out: How to Defend the Net-Front
Net-front defense is a crucial aspect of ice hockey, with two primary techniques - fronting and boxing out - used to protect the crease. Here's a breakdown of how each works.
Fronting
Fronting refers to the defensive player's position in front of the attacking player, relative to the net. The objective is to block incoming shots and prevent pucks from reaching the attackers at the net-front.
Another advantage is that fronting allows for quicker transitions as defenders switch to the attack and are more easily able to join the rush on the offensive side of their opponent.
Fronting requires a shot block mentality. It’s good for limiting physical battle. You’ll often see this tactic used on the penalty kill, particularly by smaller defenders who would be at a disadvantage when engaging in a physical battle with their opponent.
Boxing out
Boxing out is where the defender positions themselves between the opponent and the goalie. The objective is to prevent attackers from establishing a screen, tipping shots, or pouncing on rebounds by denying them an inside position near the crease/net front.
Key elements:
Box out early… Like maintaining a healthy weight. Easier to keep the weight off (keeping an opponent away from the net) than to take the weight off later (moving an opponent already net front).
Control an opponent’s stick… just because you are standing beside an opponent doesn’t mean you are guarding them!
Contain and guard secondary attempts… stay with your opponent and battle to win rebounds and loose pucks.
Ideally, the box out occurs early and away from the net in a proactive manner to physically block the attacker’s path to the net front and maintain inside positioning.
Notice in the video below how defenders start boxing out early and are tying/picking up sticks to prevent redirections and attackers from getting to rebounds.
Situational Use and Coaching Preferences
Team Level Tactics
Teams running man-to-man coverage tend to box out more, starting battles for position even away from the net.
Teams using zone coverage tend to front more often, focusing on blocking shots and maintaining spatial control.
Player Level Tactics
As the phrase goes… “You go to war with the army you have, not the army you wish you had.” And as such, individual players need to lean into styles of play that suit their strengths.
Physically disadvantaged players tend to use a fronting technique more often.
Physically advantaged players tend to use a box-out technique more often.
Goalies tend to dislike teammates trying to clear out an opponent who has a position established. At that point, it often creates a double screen and/or opens up further passing lanes and threats.
Players need to be honest with themselves about their ability to win the clear-out battle. If they can control the stick and clear out a weaker opponent, that can make sense, but if the player is going to be difficult and move/control, fronting the shot is often the best play.
Situational Play
If the defender has inside positioning and can block the attacker’s path to the net, they should likely lead with a box-out to either keep them from the space or at least delay them getting to the net front space.
If the defender is unable to block the path toward the net front, fronting is probably the best option. At that point, the defenders likely don’t need to be fighting and potentially screening their goalie.
There are nuances and different situations all over the ice. How would you play each?
Special Teams
On the penalty kill, teams will lean almost exclusively toward fronting as a 1v1 trade-off when boxing out will lead to more space for the opponents.
Fronting allows the penalty killing team to occupy and defend a greater amount of space on the ice.
Further Reading