Fundamentals of Individual Defensive Play
Good defensive play depends on a thorough grasp of a basic list of “do’s” and “don’ts.” Some of these basic rules are stated below.
If fighting for the puck on the boards, concentrate on getting your body between your opponent and the puck.
Pick up your man as early as possible when the opposition has the puck. If you wait for him, he may be traveling too fast for you to stay with him.
When coming back with your man, always be alert to move in behind the defenseman to pick up an attempted flip-through play or a loose puck.
Never relax your attention if the play seems to be being concentrated at another point. Stay with your man regardless. Anything can happen; the situation can shift in a moment.
If an opposing player shoots on goal from a position well away from you, do not watch the play as a spectator, or hope the puck will be picked up by a teammate so you can go on the attack. Instead, see that your man does not shake you and go in for the rebound.
Leave your man only if there is an opposing player who is uncovered and in a more dangerous position than your man.
When a teammate is forechecking always stay between your man and the puck so that you can intercept any attempt to pass if to him on a fast breakout play.
If a puck-carrier comes into your territory when you are already watching a man, only try to check him if you are the last man between him and your goal. Otherwise your duty is to see that your man does not get free. If you go for the checker, he may pass to your man and break past you to leave you completely out of the play.
When a puck-carrier is using a lot of placement moves, such as playing the boards, or placing the puck between your legs, play the man, try to keep your body in front of him or skate with him and try to check him as you go.
If a puck-carrier is beating you as you move in to check, switch to the strategy of skating with him as you try to check. This will prevent him from using his stick or whatever to beat you.
When you are trying to go with a man who is attempting to move out and around you or heading across the ice, play him with your body and hold your stick in the hand farthest away from the direction you are heading. This will protect you if he cuts back quickly inside you, as you will have your stick ready to prevent such a move. Use your body to force him wide into the boards or to an impossible position and use your stick to cover a possible cut back.
Avoid at all costs that inclination to lag behind if a checker breaks past you or passes to another man. Break fast and stay with the play. The defensive objective of all players never stops as long as the opposing team has possession of the puck.
Learn to fake with your defensive moves to force the puck-carrier or your cover to make his move first.
Never turn your back on the puck.