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Hi, my name is Brian Mullen. I spent my whole life around the game of hockey.
Beginning with my roller hockey days in New York through my 11 seasons in the
National Hockey League. During this time I found that learning the fundamentals
of the game is essential to succeeding in this sport. And I would like to pass
along my knowledge to you. So lace up your skates,
grab your stick and learn the game of hockey online with me.
STICK CHECKS
As we spoke about last week during our discussion on
Angling and Positioning, the purpose of defense -- aside from preventing goals --
is to regain control of the puck. Angling and positioning was the first step in achieving that goal, the second
is through stick checking.
Stick checking does not always receive the attention its cousin the body check gets,
but at times the stick check is a much more effective defensive approach. For the next two
weeks we will concentrate on the six most commonly used stick checks: poke check, hook check,
sweep check, lift the stick, stick press, and hit the stick.
Considering most of you play in ice and roller hockey leagues that do not allow body contact,
we will spend two full sessions mastering stick checks.
Many of the older players, however, have requested information on
body contact and checking, so I will touch on that following the section on stick checking. But before we get
ahead of ourselves, let's focus on the task at hand...stick checks.
Poke Check
Poke checks are most commonly used by a player in a backwards skating position defending
an oncoming offensive player. However, you will find offensive players using it
when attacking from the side or from behind as well as some goaltenders
especially when defending breakaways. The most important item to keep in mind
about the poke
check is to always maintain your balance when executing
the maneuver. If you do not, you will take yourself out of
the play if you miss the puck. Also, never look directly at the puck, concentrate on the stomach and hips of the attacking
player. Locate the puck out of the corner of your eye.
- Have only your top hand on the stick.
- Keep the elbow of your top hand tucked in close to your side (see Fig. 1).
- Your other hand is used to maintain your balance.
- When the opponent and the puck come into range, lunge the bottom part of the
stick blade at the puck using only your top hand (see Fig. 2).
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Fig. 1
Keep your arm
tucked in close to your side
while in the ready position.
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Fig. 2
Using the bottom
part of the stick blade, lunge at the puck
while maintaining proper balance
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You never want to poke at the puck too early. The poke check should
be used to surprise the offensive player. If you tip off the attacking player
as to what you plan to do, they will easily be able to deke around your
check or pass to a teammate.
Hook Check
The hook check is the most difficult stick check to perform because not only are you
knocking the offensive player off the puck but also gaining control of the puck.
This checking maneuver is most successful when the offensive player is unaware of your presence
around the puck. Using the curved part of the stick between the shaft and the blade, quickly slide the puck away from the stick handler.
- Place only your top hand on the stick.
- With one knee bent, bring the shaft of the stick down so that it is almost flat on the ice.
- Turn the stick blade towards the puck, so the curved area between the stick's
shaft and blade can cup the puck (see Fig. 3).
- Slide the puck away from your opponent.
The hook check is mainly used when attacking from behind. The negative aspect of the hook check
is that if you miss the puck, the offensive player will easily be able to skate by you because your legs are no longer moving.
Sweep Check
The sweep check is most effective when the puck carrier is slightly in front
or to your side. This check combines the skills of the poke and hook checks.
The sweep check should be
used when you are defending against a good puck-handler. Your objective
is to simply separate him/her from the puck just like with the poke check.
But instead of poking at the puck, you are sweep your stick along the ice
using the curve between the shaft and the stick blade, forcing the offensive
player to get rid of the puck.
- Once again, keep only the top hand on the stick.
- Bend one knee, in order to get your stick blade along the ice.
- Sweep your stick blade along the ice, using the curve of the stick
to move the puck away from the offensive player (see Fig. 4).
Remember your job is to hit the puck away from the puck
carrier, not to gain control of it like with the hook check. You hope that
once the offensive player is separated from the puck, one of your teammates
can recover the loose puck.
Next Class
I hope you enjoyed this session of "The Hockey Clinic with Brian Mullen."
The next time
we get together we will finish our discussion on stick checks.
"The Hockey Clinic with Brian Mullen" Archive
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