101 Guide for Defensemen 

Core Principles

• Position: Stay between the puck and the net, prevent attackers from getting behind you.

• Teamwork: Communicate and work with your defensive partner to cover the ice effectively.

• Prioritize: Defend the "house" (high-danger area in front of the net) above all else.

Positioning

• Defensive Zone: Protect the house, force attackers to the corners, control behind the net, maintain triangle coverage.

• Neutral Zone: Prevent zone entries, stay alert for stretch plays, angle attackers effectively.

• Offensive Zone: Protect the blue line, pinch smartly, recover quickly.

Responsibilities & Skills

• Angling: Use body and stick to direct attackers to low-danger areas.

• Stickwork: Use stick to block passes, disrupt plays, and deflect shots.

• Skating: Agile and balanced skating for positioning and recovery.

• Communication: Constant communication with teammates for coordination.

Blue Line Control

• Offensive Zone: Prevent puck exits, use active stickwork.

• Neutral Zone: Prevent clean entries, challenge attackers early.

Key Takeaways

• Focus on smart positioning, protecting the house, and effective angling.

• Prioritize communication and teamwork.

• Master key skills: angling, stickwork, skating, and communication.

This guide provides a comprehensive overview of the fundamental principles and techniques that every defenseman should master.

101 Guide for Defensemen

Playing defense in hockey requires a blend of smart positioning, skating, teamwork, and strategic decision-making. This guide provides a detailed breakdown of principles, responsibilities, positioning, and skills every defenseman should master.

Core Defensive Principles

1. Good Defense Isn’t Always About the Puck

   • It’s more effective to take away passing and shooting options than to risk an aggressive puck steal.

2. Stay on the Right Side of the Puck

   • Always position yourself between the puck and the net to prevent easy scoring chances.

3. Don’t Let Anyone Get Behind You

   • Stay aware of your surroundings and ensure attackers never sneak behind your coverage. This is critical in all zones.

4. Work as a Team with Your Partner

   • Communicate and move cohesively with your defensive partner to effectively cover the ice.

5. Protect the House

   • The "house" refers to the high-danger area in front of the net. Prioritize defending this space over chasing plays into low-risk areas.

Defensive Positioning in Each Zone

Defensive Zone

• Protect the House:

  • Stay inside the dots and cover the slot to minimize high-percentage scoring opportunities.

• Force to the Corners:

  • Direct attackers into the corners or along the boards, limiting their options.

• Control Behind the Net:

  • Quickly recover to the front of the net when the puck moves behind it to block passes into the slot.

• Coverage Triangle:

  • With your partner and center, form a triangle that protects the corners, the house, and passing lanes.

Neutral Zone

• Prevent Zone Entries:

  • Use proper gap control to challenge attackers. Force them to dump the puck or take an outside route.

• Stay Alert for Stretch Plays:

  • Watch for attackers sneaking behind coverage. Communicate with teammates to deny breakaways.

• Angle Effectively:

  • Use your body and stick to guide attackers toward the boards, where they are less dangerous.

Offensive Zone

• Protect the Blue Line:

  • Maintain offensive pressure by preventing exits. Use your stick to intercept clearing attempts.

• Smart Pinching:

  • Pinch along the boards only when you’re confident of support from your partner or forwards.

• Quick Recovery:

  • If possession is lost, retreat quickly to the neutral zone, ensuring no opponent gets behind you.

Defensive Responsibilities and Skills

Key Techniques

1. Angling

   • Use your body and stick to direct attackers toward low-danger areas, like the boards.

   • Stay balanced and maintain proper gap control to contain attackers effectively.

2. Stickwork

   • Keep your stick on the ice to block passes and disrupt plays.

   • Use "stick on puck" to deflect shots and force turnovers.

3. Skating Ability

   • Good skating is essential for maintaining positioning and gap control.

   • Be agile and balanced to pivot, recover, and adjust to the attacker's movements.

4. Communication

   • Talk with your partner and teammates to coordinate coverage and anticipate plays.

Key Responsibilities

• First on the Puck Carrier:

  • Engage quickly, forcing them into bad ice and limiting their options.

• Control the High-Danger Areas:

  • Always prioritize defending the house, even when pursuing puck carriers.

• Block Shots and Passes:

  • Use your body and stick to prevent scoring chances.

• Clear the Puck Safely:

  • Clear the puck along the boards to reduce the risk of turnovers in front of the net.

Importance of Blue Line Control

1. Offensive Zone Blue Line

   • Prevent puck exits to sustain offensive pressure.

   • Use active stickwork to block clearing attempts and keep the puck in the zone.

   • Be mobile and ready to retreat if a turnover occurs.

2. Neutral Zone Blue Line

   • Prevent clean entries by challenging attackers early.

   • Force attackers to dump the puck or take an outside lane, making it easier to recover possession.

Quick Reference Points

• Defensive Zone:

  • Stay inside the dots and protect the house.

  • Use angling to force attackers into the corners.

  • Communicate with teammates to maintain strong positional coverage.

• Neutral Zone:

  • Use gap control to prevent zone entries.

  • Angle attackers toward the boards to limit their options.

  • Stay aware of stretch plays and attackers trying to get behind you.

• Offensive Zone:

  • Protect the blue line to prevent puck exits and sustain pressure.

  • Pinch smartly and retreat quickly if possession changes.

• Key Skills and Techniques:

  • Use angling to control attackers’ movement.

  • Keep your stick on the ice for effective disruption.

  • Focus on strong skating, communication, and anticipation.

Final Takeaways

Defensemen must:

• Focus on smart positioning to stay between the puck and the net.

• Prioritize protecting the house and preventing high-danger scoring opportunities.

• Master angling to guide attackers into low-danger areas.

• Communicate constantly with teammates to coordinate coverage.

• Protect the blue lines to sustain offensive pressure and deny clean neutral-zone entries.

• Anticipate transitions and recover quickly when possession changes.

By mastering these principles, positioning strategies, and key skills, defensemen can become reliable players who contribute to team success in every zone.

Here are some good reference videos: