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Philosophy of Checking
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Principles of Checking
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Teaching Checking -
Progressions
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Checking Skills &
Drills
“It’s what you learn
after you know it all that makes
the difference.”
Andy Murray, Head Coach, Los
Angeles Kings
Philosophy of Checking
The fundamental approach to
checking is the understanding that
our team has lost
possession/control of the puck,
and our team must collectively
fight to regain possession/control
by limiting time and space with
speed and “smarts”.
Collectively working together
to force the opposition to poor
ice position outside prime scoring
areas, increase the percentages of
regaining possession/control to
create turn-overs to counter
attack offensively.
To prevent goals from being
scored against, we must defend by
attacking the opposition and take
calculated risks to create doubt
of possession. We must do this
enough times to ensure we get
enough chances to score. (Decide
by team, time of year, by game
situation).
Principles of Success:
- Initiative
- Movement - Speed
- "Shinny" Principle
- Get My Puck Back!
Principles of Checking
- Defensive Body Positioning
- Gap Control Decision Making
Pressure:
Aggressively Limit Time &
Space
Contain: Steering
Opponent to Confined Area
When do you Pressure or
Contain? Pressure when:
- When you need a lift.
- You "see numbers”.
- A player is isolated.
- To take away a scoring
chance.
- Possession is in doubt:
board passes, in skates, in
glass, etc.
Contain when:
- Player has speed and
strength advantage.
- Player isin full control of
puck.
- You need support or can’t
get there.
- You want to slow down the
attack.
- Support to maintain
depth/width.
- “Communication eliminates
duplication &
hesitation” by Dave King.
- Balance disciplined.
- Collective team work.
Teaching Checking:
Progressions
- Four Step Progression
- Hockey Canada “Checking”
video
Angling
Stick Checks
Body Contact
Body Checking
Angling-Delay / Deflect / Steer
Attack
- Reduce time & space
options.
- Delays attack to gain
support from teammates.
- Forces opponent into
decision-making.
- Take inside to outside route
to angle.
- Use boards to assist as
another teammate.
- Closing gap focused on
opponent’s body, not puck.
Adjust speed and keep feet
moving.
Stick Checks- 2nd
Line of Defence
- Take away passing lanes -
stick on the ice.
- Deflect pucks from
target-possession in doubt.
- “Active sticks”.
- Anticipate “Strong
Stick” and body position for
possession.
- Accelerate away from
opponent.
- Need to be good stick
checkers in today’s game.
- Pressure & Support from
behind.
Body Contact– “Smart
Hockey” by Bossy
- “Basket Ball Rule” for
space possession.
- Defensive-side position,
coming through your player to
get to your net.
- Strong on skates, knee bend
and balance.
- Quick feet to adjust to
opponent.
- Blocking/picks with
discretion.
Body Checking
- Attitude & understanding
purpose.
- Teach giving and taking body
checks.
- Change of momentum – lifts
your team.
- Effects opponents
decision-making.
Checking Skills & Drills
As coaches, it is critical to
the success of your lesson that
you ensure the players understand
the purpose of doing the drill.
How success will be achieved in
game situations if we work on
skill. Constantly reinforce
the technical skills and key
points required for successful
execution. It is no longer
an effective style of drill
presentation to “do this because
I told you so” approach.
“It’s not in the drill,
it’s in the execution.”
Vince Lombardi
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