Banbury Bulldogs

Skater Hockey Club

The Art of Defence

Defending is the art of preventing the opposition from scoring. In order to reduce their percentage you need make sure that opposing forwards (particularly the one in possession of the ball/puck) are kept out of the area directly in front of the goal known as the slot.

The slot is the area from which you have the most chance of scoring. From anywhere in the slot the forwards have the best angle on goal. As you move wider, towards the boards, the angle from which you look at the goal makes it appear smaller, reducing the size of the target you have to aim at. Have a look at the diagram below to see how the apparent size of the goal changes as the player is positioned wider of the target.

The significance of this is obvious - as you force attacking forwards wide, they will find it harder to hit the target. Add the goal minder to the equation and you can see what I'm getting at. From the edge of the rink, the goal minder can cover the entire goal, giving the forward little or nothing to aim at.

Fine and dandy, you say, but what happens if there are more forwards in the play? Who should I track? How do I cope when I'm out numbered?

There are two answers here, one simple and one complicated. A lot depends on reading the game and that requires experience and practice. Let's begin with the simple answer.

If you are defending against two forwards and you have no support, try to force the player in possession wide but DON'T commit yourself by trying to steal the ball/puck. Your main duty is to prevent them passing to their team-mate. Why? Think about this as a forward for a second. You are skating into the opponent's end with a team-mate alongside. There is only one defender to beat (it's exciting being a forward, isn't it?). If you can draw the defender wide and get them to dive in after the ball/puck, you can flick a fast pass to your team-mate who will be in the open and ready to score an easy goal.

What does that say about the defenders role? Your key duty is to cover the pass. Try to encourage the forward carrying the ball/puck wide while staying between them and their team-mate. What about the shot? Well, I know I said you had no support. I meant no outfield support. Your goal minder will be tracking the ball/puck and covering the angle. The closer to the boards you can get your opponent, the better cover your goal minder can give to prevent them scoring.

Have a look at the animation of 2 on 1 to clarify the play.