When your team loses possession of the puck in a hockey game, your players must have the mentality to pressure the opponent with the puck as quickly as possible so your team can get the puck back. It is more fun to play with the puck than without it! The terms we like to use are “offence from defence” and “play defence to go on offence.”
There are many game situations where players will be in a 1-on-1 battle and must work to get the puck back. This article and video look at the key points to successfully gain possession of the puck in a 1-on-1 battle along the boards.
1. When pursuing the puck carrier, you must skate to them from an angle rather than going straight to them. If the puck carrier stops, you must immediately stop with them, and your body must be even with theirs. We call this “stopping on the puck” instead of skating past the opponent and giving them space. Stopping on the puck will take the carrier’s skating lane away and limit their passing lane.
This article and video look at the key points to successfully gain possession of the puck in a 1-on-1 battle along the boards . . . SEE MORE OF THE COACHES SITE Join The Coaches Site to access the latest drills, tactics & leadership lessons from hockey's top coaches. Already a member? Login
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Enio Sacilotto
Enio Sacilotto is President of International Hockey Camps and operates the Mental Edge High Performance Training. Enio has 39 years of coaching experience (professional hockey in Europe and the WHL's Victoria Royals). Currently, he coaches at the Burnaby Winter Club Hockey Academy and the Croatian National Men's team. If you have questions or are interested in his services, contact Enio at [email protected] or call 604-255-4747
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