• Use Proactive Prevent Defense

In the contemporary landscape of hockey defense, a shift from traditional methods to a more proactive preventive approach has become the hallmark of modern-day defending. The conventional style of skating backward to absorb plays and engage physically upon entry into the defensive zone has gradually transformed. This evolution underscores a fundamental change in defensive strategies, emphasizing controlled separation between the player and the puck rather than solely relying on physical confrontations.

Central to this shift is a nuanced approach to body contact. The era of bone-jarring hits aimed at injuring opponents has made way for a more strategic method – focusing on separating the puck from the player rather than delivering forceful hits. The essence lies in a more calculated and precise style of play.

The essence of the modern proactive mentality revolves around preemptive action, intercepting plays before they gain momentum. It hinges on controlling opponents and their available options, steering the flow of the game rather than playing catch-up. Crucial to this approach is the execution of strategic routes that guide opponents into specific spaces while minimizing their ability to maneuver. Adept angling plays a pivotal role, ensuring opponents are unable to execute quick cuts or reversals.

A key principle of this proactive strategy involves defenders maintaining a forward-skating orientation, even in worst-case scenarios where opponents might break through. This forward-oriented stance eliminates the need for a quick pivot to engage in pursuit, positioning defenders favorably to contest the puck line.

The concept of proactive prevention begs the question: Why back-skate when forward movement might offer better solutions? It revolves around shutting down offensive sequences before they materialize, not merely reacting to offensive pressure but rather creating situations that tilt in favor of the defending team. Ultimately, this modern approach aims to minimize the opponent's options, seize control of the game's tempo, and actively dictate the flow from a defensive standpoint. Defensemen should minimize extended periods of backward skating. Instead, they should focus on proactive defensive techniques, such as angling opponents away from the center of the ice and guiding them towards the outside close to the boards. This helps defensemen maintain better control, disrupt offensive plays, and prevent attackers from gaining advantageous positions. 

Defensive play often hinges on the ability to close gaps effectively. Players, particularly defensemen, must avoid falling into the trap of C cuts too early. Skating towards offensive players and using proper angling techniques can disrupt their advances. Creating a defensive mindset that prioritizes effective angling and early gap closure can be a game-changer.

• Forecheck:

Forwards should maintain the pressure and engage in aggressive forechecking to disrupt the opponent's breakout, create turnovers, and establish offensive opportunities. A strong forecheck sets the tone for offensive success. Effective forechecking hinges on speed, pressure, and the ability to disrupt the opposing team's breakout. Players engaging in forechecking need to anticipate and read the play, understanding the opponent's tendencies to position themselves advantageously and intercept passes. The use of angling and proper body positioning is crucial, guiding opponents towards less favorable areas, such as the boards. Forechecking is most potent when executed as a coordinated team effort, with players communicating to systematically apply pressure and cut off passing lanes. The primary goal is to force turnovers in the offensive zone, capitalizing on opponents' hurried decisions under pressure. Regaining possession through battles along the boards or pressuring opponents into mistakes is paramount. A mix of strategies, including aggressive pursuit, strategic positioning, and occasional use of a trap, adds versatility to the forechecking approach. The physical demands of forechecking require players to expend energy persistently, potentially wearing down the opposing team and disrupting their defensive structure. Beyond forcing turnovers, effective forechecking involves transitioning quickly to offensive play, creating scoring opportunities, and maintaining control in the offensive zone. In essence, a well-executed forechecking strategy is a comprehensive and dynamic offensive weapon that can dictate the flow of the game and create favorable scoring chances. 

• Angling:

By angling opponents away from the center of the ice and into less advantageous positions, defensemen disrupt the flow of the attacking play. This angling-off technique minimizes the space and options available to the attacking forward, making it more challenging for them to execute effective offensive moves. 

Angling is a defensive weapon that demands a proactive approach.  The crux lies in defensive players skating towards oncoming forwards, strategically controlling the gap and angling them to the bad ice, and ensuring opponents cannot easily maneuver around them. Players, especially defensemen, must cultivate a defensive demeanor that involves anticipating the opponent's movements, positioning themselves strategically, and engaging in the art of controlled aggression. This principle extends to all players on the team, irrespective of their position on the ice. Coaches should emphasize the importance of angling, teaching players how to use their body positioning and stick placement to control the opponent's movements effectively.

Defensive situations often require players to transition quickly from forward to backward skating. However, the offensive player typically has an advantage when skating forward against a defenseman moving backward. Skating towards oncoming offensive players is a key component of effective angling. This strategy not only disrupts the opponent's advances but also establishes defensive control. For defensemen, this means recognizing the critical moments to close the gap, denying the offensive player the opportunity to exploit the space and maneuver around them. This principle should be ingrained in the defensive mindset of every player, creating a cohesive defensive unit. 

Coaches should instill the habit of skating towards the offensive player, closing gaps early, and disrupting their advances. This proactive approach challenges the opponent and establishes defensive control. The art of angling stands out as a nuanced and indispensable defensive strategy. Coaches should emphasize the significance of mastering this skill, particularly for defensemen, and highlight its universal applicability across all players in all zones.

The importance of angling isn't confined to specific zones on the ice. Whether in the offensive, neutral, or defensive zones, all players should understand the universal applicability of angling. Forwards disrupting an opponent's breakout, defensemen impeding offensive entries, or players engaging in battles along the boards – the principles of angling apply ubiquitously.

While defensemen bear the primary responsibility for angling, the entire team benefits from adopting this defensive strategy. Forwards disrupting opponents in the offensive zone and wingers pressuring along the boards contribute collectively to the team's defensive prowess. Coaches should foster a team-wide understanding that angling is not a duty solely for defensemen but a shared responsibility for all positions.

Also See:

• Foundational Skills 

• Hockey Principles and Good Habits