Coaching defensemen by Jay Leach

First, before you play these situations, you must have a philosophy that you are going to follow throughout the game. Playing defense involves patience, positioning, and timing. You can't just hope your forwards are going to be in position; you must be certain before you react.

Playing good defense means controling both the neutral zone and the defensive zone. You should attempt to control the middle of the ice and force as much of the play as you can to the outside or the walls of the rink, keeping the middle free from offensive pressure. Easier said than done, obviously, but there are some guidelines to help you play better.

I have been fortunate to work with Larry Robinson and Rick Green, defensemen for the Montreal Canadiens during the 1970's and 1980's. Much of my philosophy comes from their approach to the game.

1. Communicate: Talk to your goaltender, your partner and your forwards. It makes the game easier.
2. Move the puck hard and quick to the open man. Join the rush, do not lead it.
3. Always at least one defenseman close to the net.
4. Head must be on a swivel. You must know where people are offensively and defensively.
5. Do not get tied up in front of the net, especially when you are outmanned. You must be close enough to react.
6. Do not get too close to the crease in the defensive zone. Play off the post with your stick on the ice.
7. Move up the ice inside the dots. Think of playing the rink within the rink; that way you will control the guts of the ice.
8. Don't get tied up -- lead with your stick on puck, hit and move in corners when actively pursuing a man.
9. Get your shots on net. They do not have to be hard, get them away and shoot away from shot blockers.
10. Don't kill yourself with long shifts, especially early in the game. Tired players make mistakes and you are more susceptible to injury.

I hope that this gives you some sort of philosophy to develop your game from.

How should I handle a 2-on-1?

As the 2-on-1 approaches the offensive zone, you will play a little more towards the middle and position yourself just so, because you want the outside man to carry the puck and eventually take the shot. You are playing the open man in the slot area, preventing the pass. The goalie has the shooter so it's easier to think of this as a 2-on-2. You want them to run out of time and end up in the corner of the rink, having to make a forced play. Don't forget that the more time you buy, the better the chance that help will be coming in the form of your partner or a forward.

How should I handle a 3-on-2?

A 3-on-2 is basically the same concept: you are again buying time for some help. Play in the middle of the ice and force the play to the outside. The defenseman on the strong side -- the side where the puck is -- must play the 2-on-1. The second defenseman or 'off' defenseman will play the loose man. Again, try not to get too far from each other, using the concept of controling the middle. Sticks must be positioned on the ice and in front of you. You can then cut off passes and attempts. You want them to either make a bad pass or take a low-percentage shot. Try not to back into the goaltender. Again, it's really a 3-on-3 with the goaltender. You want the goaltender to receive the shot from the side of the rink while you and your partner are in close range of the other players. You do not want to give the puck carrier enough room to cut in if possible. That is why the strong defenseman is playing the 2-on-1.

How do I clear the front of the net without taking a penalty?

First, the thing you do not want to do is to get tied up with your opponent and get wrestling around. This is a sure way to 1) tire you out; and 2) get a penalty. What you have to do is play off your opponent with your stick on the ice. At the time when a play must be made, pass or shoot by your opponent. Turn and get body position with two hands on your stick. Use your legs for leverage and get strong on your stick. Knock the puck to the corner or to a teammate if at all possible. You can pick your spots and hit your opponent below the hips to move him where you want him. Should an opponent have size advantage, you have to be smart and use your stick to knock pucks away. Do not get tied up!!!!

When should I pursue the puck into the corner and when should I stay back?

It is important to size up situations quickly. As we said, get your head on a swivel. Look around, make sure you have backup, then get your feet moving and take an angle on your opponent and drive him either up the wall or behind the net. Make sure your partner is in front of the net. One forward and one defenseman work the corner together but not on the same man. While in pursuit, lead with your stick and finish with your body. You should be patient or stay back when you are alone in front of the net and your partner is out of position or has been knocked down. Play the front of the net like a 2-on-1, taking an angle on the puck carrier. Do not charge the puck carrier. You want to react to loose men and hope that the puck carrier will take a bad-angle shot. By being patient and buying time you will then get help for the situation.

How can I win battles on the boards?

Winning battles on the boards once you have the technique down is more mental than anything. Again, the first part is to lead with your stick and try to dislodge the puck. When a battle for the puck starts, try to gain advantage by putting your body between the puck and your opponent. Get your rear end turned around and use it as a shield to protect and make a play with the puck. You can also use your free hand and legs to shield puck and body. Remember that you will not win many battles carrying your stick up around your ears when you go to the boards for a confrontation. You just can't do much damage by hitting someone in the shoulders. You must stay low and get your leverage: Stick on the ice.

New Jersey Devils defenseman Scott Stevens is quite adept at stopping on-rushing forwards.

What can I do to stop a forward 1-on-1 as he enters my zone?

Playing a 1-on-1 in open ice can be a challenge, but you control the destiny of the offensive player. First, you gain control of the middle-ice area and force him to pick a side. Do not lunge or try to make a low-percentage play. Let the play come to you: When you angle to the wall or boards, try to get your opponent into an area where he has few options. You don't want to back off and give him too much room. Gap control, or space between you and that player, becomes important because you are limiting his time and space. You must have your stick ready and in front of you. Use a poke-check, but do not lunge or play overly aggressive. Watch players like Scott Stevens for New Jersey or Rob Blake and Adam Foote for Colorado. They have this technique down and play opponents very well in this situation.

When is the best time to step up and challenge a puck carrier?

The toughest thing for a forward to do is play without space so again, gap control becomes crucial. To step up, you must take a quick look at the ice surface and realize everything is covered. Then you should take an angle on the puck carrier. If you go straight at him you risk the chance of a miss. By taking an angle, you can pursue him and give him limited options. Naturally, if a player has his head down and all other opponents are covered you can step up for the hit. The most frustrating situation for a team to face is when they are constantly turning the puck over in the neutral zone because they just do not have room to move. Again, judging distances and speed are important. You want to be moving backward at the same rate of speed that your opponent is moving forward. Playing in between the dots will help you to not get caught on the outside by the boards. This is a common mistake with young defensemen.

What do I do on the breakout if I don't have the puck?

Your job on the breakout when you do not have the puck is first, come to the front of the net and read the situation. If your partner is swinging around the net, then you take the opposite side. You should be set back from the puck carrier as a defenseman and more towards the middle of the ice if he is by the boards. You are the safety valve and you must be in position to receive a pass if your partner gets in trouble. You are the last line of Defense so it's important that you don't just jump up and join the rush.

What should I do when I am in the attacking zone?

First, positioning is important. You do not want to be too close to the boards and therefore open up the middle of the ice. You want to react towards the boards so stay four or five feet off them. You also do not want to be outside the blue line: You want to be inside so that if a pass comes and it jumps over your stick, it is not offside. You must get your shots off quickly and on net. Should an opposing forward rush you, do not shoot, just to get rid of the puck. Take a step away from the man and here are your options: Either chip the puck into the corner or take the shot if it's available.

You should use the top of the circles as a guide for jumping into the play. If you have the opening, jump down, take the shot and get back into position. This does not apply while involved in a face-off play or a cycle. As you go down into the play, you should be backed up by a teammate.

Jay Leach played hockey at the University of New Haven, Connecticut, and in the minor leagues for Quebec and Minnesota. He served as an assistant coach with the Los Angeles Kings, Atlanta Thrashers, New Jersey Devils and Hartford Whalers. He was the head coach of the Hershey Bears and Springfield Indians in the AHL and an assistant coach at the University of Maine, Merrimack College and the U.S. National team.